External Enclosure for Hd

I just got a mad dog ext enclosure for a maxtor and it is actually pretty quiet but feels a bit too warm. There is no fan on it and as I look at it from all around the chassis I don't see any holes on the back. First off is a pretty heavy warm temp. normally for an ext. enclosure? Also, should I just switch to a different enclosure, if so, with a fan or without (don't really know if all the non fan ones are this warm), and what material is best for these things (I see some are part aluminum, some have metal, some are plastic, what's more benefital)?

 

i just got one its all aluminum and it gets pretty warm, i don't keep it on all the time its there for backups and when i'm done i turn it off. what one did you get (model), and is it a usb or firewire? try using hd tach http://www.majorgeeks.com/HDTach_d672.html to test it, i'm getting some weird speeds out of mine, and i would not mind seeing what you get.

 

What are u getting for ur readings?

I got the mad dog 3.5" enclosure from CC for $20 but I don't like that it gets warm pretty quick. I am thinking it could be the maxtor brand or maybe it's a combination but I am gonna switch most likely to one with a fan, eventhough I would like to get one without one. Anyone ever use a ext enclosure without a fan for a hd and not get a warm or hot heat chassis?

 

I just got me a Maxtor Personal Storage 3200 and it has been running backing up for 6 hours now and it feels Ok to me.. BTW it stands in a holder side on ... is yours lying flat ???