Black and Silver
PCB on the unit
Vantec Nexus
NXP-201 Fan Controller Review
Date : Monday, 09 December 2002
Author : Wolfman
Provided By : VantecUSA
Introduction
Hey folks. I'm back again with another product review from VantecUSA. A few weeks back we take a look at the Nexus Multi-Function Panel, which provides temperature readings via an LCD and also CPU fan speed control, and also USB2.0 and Firewire ports. Now most of us would have more than just a single fan and we all know what type of fans a crazy modder would have in his case. But at certain point of time, we would like to quiet them down to have some peace of mind or when we're sleeping. The idea of controlling our fans to quiet things down isn't new, so with the availability of various kinds of control devices out there, how will this newcomer from VantecUSA fare? Well, that's what we're about to find out!
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Black and Silver |
PCB on the unit |
The units we received are sort of prototype units so the retail versions might be a little different. VantecUSA currently has two different colours of the unit, black and silver. Also, we did not receive any cables with the units but VantecUSA assured us that the final retail version will be shipped with the following standard cables;
 Full frontal shot |
 Close up on knobs |
Specifications
Features
The Nexus Fan Controller is basically a rheobus but unilke other units out there, VantecUSA does it in style and typical Vantec fashion. While the lot of the rheobuses out there either requires you to drill your own faceplate for mounting or has plain housings, the "U" type housing of the Nexus came with nicely done markings, showing you the Nexus and vantec logos and also the speed markings for each knobs. I know the exterior look is subjective but Vantec goes the extra mile and it shows their professionalism in their products. The control knobs looks like something of a Hi-Fi set and it has clear linings around it to let the LED backlight shines thru.
The PCB
Looking at the rear of the unit, you'll find the PCB assembly that houses all of the electronics components. There are capacitors, potentiometers, resistors and also what looks like an IC Chip. The Nexus's circuitry is based on a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) design. This type of circuit is much better than the normal voltage regulator circuits as there are no energy loss, thus no heat generated. For more info on PWM, read the NatriumTech Digital Rheobus Review that I did not long ago. Another great thing about this unit is the LED backlight. Instead of having LEDs mounted up front next to the knobs, the unit has LEDs mounted on an acrylic sheet and dispersing the light from the LED to the front of the unit, giving it a nice blue glow. Power is supplied via the 4 pin Molex connector on the PCB.
 PCB view |
 Capacitors and other electronics stuff |
 Molex connector and Control IC chip? |
 LEDs |
 3-pin fan connectors |
 Back of PCB |
However, like most of the control devices out there, the unit suffers one drawback and that is the power connectors for the fans are situated on the PCB itself so if you're planning on removing/changing your fans, you'll have to remove the unit first. Also you'll need to splice your fans cables and make them longer in order to connect them to the unit. VantecUSA counters this however with the inclusion of the extension cables that will come standard with the retail package. Definitely a nice addition although I'm not sure how long the cables would be. I hope it'll be long enough though. Or alternatively, you can make your own cable extension like the one I've shown you here.
Installation
Installation of the unit is a piece of cake, just like installing any other drives. Although there's one quirk for owners of cases with drive rails, especially the Chieftec/Antec. One screw that's securing the PCB to the housing is blocking the drive rails. This results in the unit not being able to be installed properly into the case. It's a simple matter of removing that particular screw from both sides of the housing though. Once you got the rails installed, simply push the whole assembly into the desired 5.25" drive bay. And in case you're wondering, the knobs are not protruding out far enuff to cause any problems to the door closing. Definitely good news to Chieftec/Antec woners out there...
 Unit with drive rails installed |
 Screw blocking drive rail |
 Unit installed in case |
 No blocking of door here... :O) |
UPDATE!
I just got an email today (11 December) from VantecUSA and it seems that they've noticed the mounting screw issues and have a new housing done and this will be in the retail product, so you guys need not worry about that!! Kudos to them for that!
New housing (right)
Fire her up!
Connected and turned on.
Once I got the fans connected, I turned on the unit. The first thing that catches the attention is how nice and bright the LED backlight are, even in bright conditions. You can see from the from the pictures below how the 5 3mm LEDs lightens up the unit up front and also from the PCB area. Very nice indeed. However, the PWM circuit emits a slight whining or clicking sound. At first I thought it was one of my fans giving way but even after disconnecting the fans, the sounds persists. And sure enough, upon close inspection, the sound's coming from the circuitry and it only appears when the knob is set to it's minimum setting. And I have to put my ear to the unit in order to hear it. This is a known effect of PWM circuits but it could've been eliminated with use of higher quality components or circuitry. Now, with all those fans in your case, you wouldn't even notice this slight shining/clicking sound but some of us are very particular, especially about minor details like this.
 Nice!! |
 Damn that's bright! |
 Money shot!!! |
 Money shot!! |
Money shot on back!!
BTW, if you're thinking of making your own faceplate or housing, the PCB assembly can be easily removed from the original housing by removing the 4 side screws. The knobs could also be removed from the pots although some of them seem to be super-glued or something!! LOL! I had to pull hard on one of it to take it off the pot!
 PCB Removed... |
 Knob removed.... tough though! |
Conclusion
With the Nexus NXP-201 Fan Controller, VantecUSA has a potentially awesome product at hand. Competition is stiff in the control device market with so many choices out there for the end-user so being unique and competitively-priced is definitely an advantage. While other units comes with plain housings and LEDs mounted in front, VantecUSA adds stylish markings and uses the LEDs as backlit to give a nice cool glow from the back. The knobs looks great too! The whole kit if ready to go out of the box since it's mounted on a aluminium "U" type housing. No drilling of faceplates required here. Extension cables are also included to help with the fan installation. And the PWM circuit is another great choice as it's more efficient than voltage regulator circuits. And 18Watts per channel? More than you could ever wanted! All this great features at a retail price of just US$29.00!
VantecUSA could however use a little more research on the circuitry. Using better components which operates at an inaudible frequency, the clicking sound could be eliminated once and for all. Of course, like I've mentioned, you'll have to put your ear to the unit in order to hear the sound but still, it could've been prevented from the very start. And one of the mounting screws have to be removed if you're mounting drive rails onto the unit. Not a biggie though.
Pros
Cons
Big thanks goes out to Clare Liu from VantecUSA for providing us with the sample units of the Nexus NXP-201 Fan Controller for review. You can find it at any of the stores listed on Vantec's website. Thanks for reading and enjoy!