Vantec NXP-301 Fan & Light Controller

Reviews: Cases

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Kurtis Kronk
Brian
Vantec
Nov. 4, 2003

Introduction

We've all seen fan controllers. Usually they control fans on four channels, and don't do much of anything else except make the occasional buzzing sound. Today, we look at a new product from Vantec that lets you not only control several fans, but also controls two sound-activated cold cathode lights as well. Basically, the controller has three channels for fans, and one for the lights. Sounds cool right? Let's take a look and see.

Note: If you look at the side of the box you will see a picture of a new case that Vantec will be producing very soon.

First Looks

Over the last several months I've noticed that Vantec has gotten better at designing products and graphics. From the box you can tell that the NXP-301 is very stylish. When you open up the box, you will find the NXP-301, two blue cold cathodes, 4-pin molex power connector, four double-adhesive squares, screws, and three fan connector cables (4-pin female to 3-pin male to 3-pin female). The fan connector cables let you hook up your fan to the controller as well as the motherboard so that you can monitor the fan.

Taking a Closer Look

The controller itself is well constructed but it is a bit weak on the sides. There is no real support to keep the sides from bending outwards, and this could cause some headaches with frequent removal/installation. I checked the controller for any buzzing from low quality components, but the controller didn't make any audible sound at all.

As usual, each knob does not have a dedicated LED which can fade with different settings. Instead Vantec chose to keep the constant backlight which is pretty standard. I think it would be nice, however, if they would make each controller's backlight be able to fade. Nothing important, but I would personally like it more that way.

Testing

I put this controller through the normal array of tests: mounting the controller in multiple cases, testing each channel with one fan, testing each channel with multiple fans, etc!

I tried mounting the controller in four cases: Antec Sonata, Chieftec Dragon, Enermax CS-1018S, and an AMS G-Mono. The Antec, Chieftec, and Enermax case had no real issues, although I found that the controller was a very tight fit. The G-Mono did not let me install the NXP-301 at all. Toward the front of the controller, the sides stick out a little further, and they do not let you push the controller all the way in. This means that Vantec may have made this controller just a tiny bit too wide, which would explain why it fits in most cases (with a bit of elbow grease), but not all.

Next I checked to see if all the channels work for controlling fans. I hooked up an 80mm LED fan to each channel and turned them all on low, the fans were all completely off (0V). I turned all three channels to max power, and the fans all went to full speed as expected (12V).

After making sure the device worked properly with fans, I check to see if it could handle more than one fan per channel. I did this by hooking up two 120mm fans on each channel. As I have come to expect from Vantec, the device was able to handle six 120mm fans (two per channel). Unfortunately Vantec did not include the cables necessary to hook up more than one fan per channel, so you will need to do a quick wiring job.

Unlike any other fan controller I have tested, this one controls two cold cathodes as well! That's right, not only can it control fans on three channels, it can control two lights on a fourth channel. The lights are controlled by a sound-sensitivity knob which is hooked up to a small microphone on the controller. The minimum setting for the cathodes' sound sensitivity is ALWAYS OFF, and the maximum is ALWAYS ON. Between these two settings you can find a sound-sensitivity setting to your liking.

Conclusion

Vantec has a great product on their hands. The NXP-301 is not only stylish and unique, but it works great. The ability to turn fans completely off is very nice. I also like the light knob that lets you choose between OFF, ON, and a range of sound-sensitivity settings. Unfortunately it seems Vantec overlooked a couple small details. First, the sides are a bit weak and could use some support. Second, the controller is just a tiny bit wide, making it a tight fit in most cases. Despite its flaws, I would definitely recommend this controller. The NXP-301 would be a great way to spruce up a plain case.

Pros

Stylish
Controls fans AND lights
Multiple fans per channel
High quality components
Total control over fans and lights
Sound-sensitive lights

Cons

Weak sides
Tight fit in some cases
Lack of options (face plate color / cathode colors)

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