mid range fan controller

floz · 12 Apr 2011 at 19:02

Hey guys,

I've been on the lookout for a while now and didnt find a thread that entirely matched what I was looking for.

AFAIK i need to be able to control 5 fans. From what i've read some brand haven't been the most reliable. I'm happy to spend around the £30 mark and was looking at the NZXT Sentry 2 but saw some pretty bad reviews of it breaking.

Can anyone recommend one that has features such as auto control and touchscreen?

Much appreciated as always guys.

Thanks.

Schizo · 12 Apr 2011 at 19:05

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BB-000-NX

ive got this and couldn't recommend it enough.

Schizo · 12 Apr 2011 at 19:08

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18187619&highlight=NZXT+Sentry+LXE

Azuse05 · 12 Apr 2011 at 20:42

£50+ isn't exactly mid range...

floz · 12 Apr 2011 at 23:30

yea, i don't really wana spend more than say £35 unless i really have to. Thanks for the suggestion, but i'd also want it to be built in, not got a very big desk

NZXT well regarded then? cause they've been getting ripped to shreds by some reviewers?

setter · 12 Apr 2011 at 23:50

I can highly reccomend this.

http://www.zalman.co.kr/ENG/product/Product_Read.asp?idx=208

Nice no nonsense controller that will run 6 fans, got one myself and cant fault it at all.

floz · 13 Apr 2011 at 00:07

setter that's a great back up plan that i'll go for if no other alternatives crop up so thanks for that.

But i really want to be able to turn the fans totally off/ set em on auto mode to regulate the system within certain temp ranges.

is the NZXT sentry 2 really that unreliable or have i just read too many bad reviews and neglected the good reviews?

ace962 · 13 Apr 2011 at 00:13

I have the Lamptron FC6. Controls 4 fans, can change the colour of the display, comes with temp sensors, comes with 3 pin extension cables and it's up to 20w per channel. It's just simple, easy and pretty cheap!

Great little fan controller and would recommend it to anyone.

floz · 13 Apr 2011 at 13:26

thanks ace but it still leaves me with 1 fan not being controlled, if it was 5 fans that would have been perfect. Does anyone else have any suggestions?

ace962 · 13 Apr 2011 at 14:48

floz said:
if it was 5 fans that would have been perfect

Sorry, missed the 5 fans part. Do you not have any 2 fans that could be put onto one connector? Like 2 fans on a 240 rad that you could connect as one so you can increase and decrease their RPM in unison? I have been contemplating this with my rad fans.

floz · 13 Apr 2011 at 18:39

ace962 said:
Sorry, missed the 5 fans part. Do you not have any 2 fans that could be put onto one connector? Like 2 fans on a 240 rad that you could connect as one so you can increase and decrease their RPM in unison? I have been contemplating this with my rad fans.

not a bad shout actually, does it take molex connections cause i can stack those can't I?

cjgardens · 13 Apr 2011 at 18:47

Lamptron fc2 28quid brilliant

floz · 13 Apr 2011 at 18:54

argh decisions decisions! lol. I really want an lcd screen that I can just press auto control on and it'll regulate itself.

Is the NXZT Sentry 2 really that bad?

Schizo · 13 Apr 2011 at 18:55

your going to have to up your budget if you want something like you ask for dude.

setter · 13 Apr 2011 at 18:57

cjgardens said:
Lamptron fc2 28quid brilliant

Very true, plus youll have no problems running multiple fans of each header. The FC2 is rated at 45w per channel.

cjgardens · 13 Apr 2011 at 19:00

setter said:
Very true, plus youll have no problems running multiple fans of each header. The FC2 is rated at 45w per channel.

bought one off here few weeks ago. Got my 6 fans on two rads and works a treat.

Also as you mentioned its 45w per channel so can easy put fan spliters on and run even more fans. Its over kill for 6 yateloons but for that price and i can control everyone can't complain

floz · 13 Apr 2011 at 19:02

schizo said:
your going to have to up your budget if you want something like you ask for dude.

how much are we talking? What ones would fit a higher budget? I can't find any other than the NXZT Sentry 2 with a nice LCD screen and stuff. Are they that bad? no one seems to comment either way. It has either great or awful reviews (the sentry 2) maybe its pot luck if you get a decent one?

Schizo · 13 Apr 2011 at 19:04

the one i linked to is very good and suits all your need's.

i just leave mine on auto and the fans spin to whatever they want if im gaming or surfing the net.

you can even turn on the screen if you so wish.

Exsurgo · 13 Apr 2011 at 19:08

I have no problems whatsoever with my NZXT Sentry 2. The temperature control settings work rather well. The only fan I found it would not run properly was my San Aces, works great with all my other fan types.

With 15W per channel you can safely run 10 fans with it. Looks fantastic aswell.

If you look at its agregate reviews, 77% of people give it 4 stars or more out of 5.

floz · 13 Apr 2011 at 19:11

schizo said:
the one i linked to is very good and suits all your need's.

i just leave mine on auto and the fans spin to whatever they want if im gaming or surfing the net.

you can even turn on the screen if you so wish.

It would be nice but there is literally no room for it on my desk and it'll just get stepped on otherwise. Sorry to be such a picky bugger!

Exsurgo said:
I have no problems whatsoever with my NZXT Sentry 2. The temperature control settings work rather well. The only fan I found it would not run properly was my San Aces, works great with all my other fan types.

With 15W per channel you can safely run 10 fans with it. Looks fantastic aswell.

I'm really tempted by it. I'll go check out some more reviews. Is there anything similar of better build quality?