Some quick questions

[Ruran]

I am looking for some ways to make my Xbox 360 better, and I have a few questions.

1. How much quality increase is actually done using the HDMI cables, are they worth the buy?

2. What are some accessories that are pretty much "must haves"

3. I don't plan on playing for more then 4 hours at a time, if even. Would I get a good battery life from my AA's for that amount of play, or should I get the charger?


Thanks for all the help

[FazeD]

I am looking for some ways to make my Xbox 360 better, and I have a few questions.

1. How much quality increase is actually done using the HDMI cables, are they worth the buy?

If you have the proper tv for it then for for it, you don't have to go out and spent lot's of money on gold plated HDMI cables. You can go here: HDMI and DVI Cable - HDMI Cable hdmi cable or hdmi cables to DVI cable
and pick up the necessary length, it will be the same quality as if you get the $150 dollar monster cables, both have an output of 1280p

2. What are some accessories that are pretty much "must haves"

3. I don't plan on playing for more then 4 hours at a time, if even. Would I get a good battery life from my AA's for that amount of play, or should I get the charger?

I will answer both 2 and 3 here

Wireless controller, quick charge kit, headset, live gold, some points. If don't already have one and want to watch movies in HD then pick up the HD-DVD drive.

[The_Doodler]

AAs are FINE. i use them and i only change them like, every two weeks. make sure you get quality AAs. alkaline and that. and get like 6 or 8. it WILL last.

but then you can also get the quick charge kit. its your choice. but yea battery life with AAs is decent. more than just that.

[FazeD]

You will end up spending more one AA's compared to if you buy the quick charge kit, you can even buy an extra battery just in case, that way if the one dies, you have a back up ready to go.

[hcky21rskor]

i would say a "must have" would be a good cooling system for your 360.

I used to have the Pelican 360 Fan stand. I wouldn't recommend it beacuse you have to stand your 360 up vertically, and the cooling power that it actually gives off is a joke.

Pelican Xbox 360 Fan Stand Home Entertainment Accessory reviews - CNET Reviews

But i would recommend the intercooler by Nyko. It goes on the back of your 360 pretty eaisly, and have 3 fans that suck the hot air out of your 360. I got mine for $20 and it was deff. worth the money.

IGN: Nyko Intercooler 360 Review

[Ruran]

I think I read on some site a bit ago that the coolers weren't worth it, that they sometimes melted to the system or something of the sorts, is this true?

[FazeD]

Originally Posted by hcky21rskor

But i would recommend the intercooler by Nyko. It goes on the back of your 360 pretty eaisly, and have 3 fans that suck the hot air out of your 360. I got mine for $20 and it was deff. worth the money.

IGN: Nyko Intercooler 360 Review

Take that off of your 360 ASAP!

It messes it up, seriousally, and it voids your warranty. Any stand won't void your warranty but the NYKO inter cooler ****s up your 360

[Ruran]

How does it ruin the 360?

[FazeD]

Nyko Intercooler scorches Xbox 360 consoles? - Engadget

Nyko Intercooler scorches Xbox 360 consoles?

Posted Oct 27th 2006 11:03AM by Darren Murph
Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals

We've seen our fair share of products that aren't exactly "as advertised," but it seems that Nyko's Intercooler might actually up the stakes by accomplishing the complete opposite of what it's intended to do. While the Xbox 360 has experienced a good bit of "technical difficulties" in its short life, the Intercooler accessory was hailed as a product that nixed the seemingly widespread overheating issues; however, new reports are suggesting that the device "steals too much power" from the oh-so-needy innards of Microsoft's console, leading to eventual failure of the components. It was noted that the Intercooler can even elicit "brown discoloration" around the system's AC input before users are faced with the ominous red ring, and if this tale-tell sign is witnessed by RMA processors, your return becomes null and void for using an "unlicensed peripheral." Although Nyko respectfully defends its questionably useful product, Microsoft doesn't appear to lend the same appreciation -- but regardless, there's still a few (unofficial) methods left to ensure your Xbox 360 stays below the boiling point, cool?

[hcky21rskor]

I've had it on my 360 for about a month now, and i have had no problems. On weekends when i'm done with all the homework i sometimes relax by playing cod4 online for 4-5 hours, all the time the cooler doing it's thing. After i'm done playing i feel the side of my 360 and it's cool as can be.

Also i have a 2 year warrenty on my 360 from Best Buy. I read the entire brochure looking for anything stating that if i used a certain kind of cooler they would void the warrent, and i found nothing. I'm sure microsoft probably will void the warrenty, but i could care less. Best Buy will replace it if anything goes wrong.