The Xtreamer digital media player is one of the better DMRs we reviewed last year – just £99 for huge music and video file format support, including high definition playback over an HDMI connection. But as we noted in our review, it has one big drawback – a whining, high pitched fan which sounds like a mosquito buzzing around the room.
Fortunately, you can switch the fan off in the Xtreamer’s settings, but of course that could lead to the receiver overheating. So to solve the issue, Tranquil PC are now shipping the Xtreamer with a factory fitted cooler which passively reduces the heat which will build up when the fan is switched off.
If you’re an existing owner, you can order the cooler separately from Tranquil for around £15. The company sent us one over to fit to our review unit – here’s how it works.
Step 1: Download the fitting instructions.
The instructions are included with the cooler, but if yours hasn’t arrived yet, you can download the instructions from the Tranquil PC website.
Step 2: Remove the Xtreamer’s side panel
The side panel of the Xtreamer is glued in without screws – so simply take a flat-blade screwdriver and insert it between the metal edge of the Xtreamer and the plastic side panel (right hand panel when looking at the rear of the unit). Create a gap and then gently lift off the side panel. It’ll take a little bit of force as the panel is stuck down very well indeed with double sided tape.
Step 3: Remove the inner heat sink
Once the side panel has been removed, you’ll see an inner heat sink, which is silver. Remove this heat sink and then put it and the side panel to one side for later disposal. Your new cooler will act as an integral heat sink and side panel for the Xtreamer.
Step 4: Prepare and fit the new side panel
In your kit you’ll find some thermal paste. Apply a little to the top of the Xtreamer’s processor and remove any surplus sticky tape from the inside of the unit (to ensure the new panel will fit correctly).
Line up the rounded corners of the new side panel to the top of the Xtreamer for positioning, (the rectangular panel on the inside of the panel should fit neatly into the gap at the top of the inside chassis) and then remove the protective film from the panel before pressing it into the Xtreamer’s chassis. After a few hours of use, you should find the heat sink becomes a little warm to the touch – if so, it’s working correctly. If the panel remains cold, then the panel hasn’t been fitted correctly and may need to be repositioned.
And you’re done! Now head over to the Xtreamer’s settings menu and switch off that fan! Ahh… silence.
