Vantec Nexus NXP 201 Rheobus

Reviews: Cases

Author:
Editor:
Sponsor:
Published:

Brian Kristensen
Kurtis
Vantec
Apr. 11, 2003

Introduction

Computers are getting faster and faster, and they require better cooling, which usually means more fans. So, now that your computer is full of fans, you realize how loud it is. Even when you aren't using your computer, and it doesn't require as much cooling, you still have a bunch of fans blasting air through the case. This is where the rheobus comes in handy. A rheobus contains a series of variable resistors to control the speed of several fans. You can lower the voltages each fan receives with each rheostat, thus slowing down the fan, providing less airflow, but also less noise.

A First Look

First off, The Nexus is mountable in a single 5.25 inch bay. There are two available colors to choose from, black and silver ( No beige here! ). The whole kit is pre assembled with the exception of the wires that connect the rheobus to each fan. All wires have connectors on each end and do not require any soldering. The complete kit includes the rheobus, four mounting screws, two 3-pin extension cables and two 3 to 4-pin "Y" power ( one 3-pin that splits into two 4-pin ) connectors. The power connector from the PSU to the fan controller is a direct connection via a 4-pin molex connection. There is no pass through power connection, so the rheobus will have to take up one of your power connections in your case.

The details on the bezel are simple. It contains the brand name and product name. Under each knob it has labels for each fan ( "Fan 1" to "Fan 4" ), and dots around each knob to indicate the level of power supplied. Each knob is lit up by LEDs behind the bezel, that shine through clear plastic around each knob. This method of lighting the rheobus is very sweet looking, and original. One downside is that the LEDs don't dim according to the voltage each fan receives. There is no choice of LED color, but at least the color is a very cool blue.

Each rheostat controller on the Nexus can manage up to 18 watts. Each rheostat will allow voltages from 7 - 12 volts to each fan. The lowest voltage being 7 volts is good, although hardcore geeks might not agree. Allot of fans wont even spin at voltages lower than 7, although some can operate at voltages down to 4-5 volts. If you want to get your fans below 7 volts ( if the fan can run that low ) then the Nexus may not be for you. I think Vantec made a good call on that one, as you don't want your fans to accidentally stop spinning and possibly damage your hardware from a lack of cool air.

The PCB

The PCB has 4-pin power connection and four 3-pin fan connections for each fan on it. Some people have issues with the orientation of the 3-pin fan connections. With the pins pointing perpendicular to the PCB instead of parallel, they may be harder to unplug from within the case. They may also be a bad thing if you have a drive directly on top of the Nexus.

Usually, when you look at a rheobus, you will see giant heat sinks that are bulky and in the way. These are used to dispel heat created from lowering the voltage from 12 volts. Apparently, the Nexus doesn't create enough heat to require heat sinks, thus reducing the size of the PCB, and making it easier to place if you don't want it in a drive bay.

Placement

As I said before, the Nexus is mountable in a standard 5.25 inch bay. One might worry about mounting this rheobus in a case that has a door covering the drive bays. With the stock Antec cases, this is not a problem, but people with the Xaser line of cases may be out of luck. The half inch thick steel door does not accommodate room for the knobs, but since the top of the door is cut out to allow access to the top 5.25 bay, you can place the rheobus there replacing the HardCano.

Testing The Nexus

Now to test the Nexus. For this test I will be using 4 thermaltake 80 mm fans. They aren't quiet fans, so I figured that they had a job for the Nexus. First I hooked up four fans normally to the controller installed in my case, and let my computer run all day long on the max voltage. This was simple enough and each fan worked fine. Then I put all fans to the lowest setting of 7 volts each, and let that run all day long. The fans were running allot quieter, but each channel emitted a small buzzing noise. This is apparently from not using components of extreme quality. Perhaps this is linked to the lack of heat sinks, as other fan controllers with heat sinks had no buzzing. It could be that using a certain type of rheostat will emit less heat, but create a hardly audible buzzing. This isn't too much of a deal though, as the buzzing isn't really noticeable unless you put your ear right next to the rheobus. Finally, I hooked up two fans to each channel, and ran it all day. Once again, all fans were running smoothly.

Conclusion

When I first got the Nexus, I saw something that was shining with quality and ability. Now that I have tested it, my first impression was fairly correct. The Nexus has a decent price tag, a very stylish look, great usability and works under almost any condition, even with multiple fans on each channel. As I stated before, it would make a nice addition if the LEDs would dim according to the voltage, and there is a slight buzzing at low voltages. This rheobus may not be what some people are looking for, because the low voltage setting is limited to 7 volts, but for most users looking for an easy way to control their fan speeds and reduce noise will find the Nexus very attractive.

Pros

Very stylish
Nifty lighting
Easy installation
Up to 18 watts per channel
Quiets them fans good!

Cons

Lower limit is 7 volts ( not that big of a deal to me though )
Slight buzzing noise at lower voltages
LEDs don't dim

Subscribe to Accessories [more info]

Add Comment

1 User Comment

1 - Posted by Mark Schlegel on January 6, 2008 - 4:40 pm

The buzzing is not from low quality parts, it's a
natural result from using PWM (pulse width modulation) as the control method. It controls the
fans power by chopping the voltage on and off quickly to the fans.

mark

Add Comment

To add a comment without being a member, you may omit the password field, but you must enter your name (or nickname) along with your comment. * Denotes required fields.