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Product:
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Vantec Nexus NXP-205 Fan Controller |
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Price:
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$41 (CAN) / $30 (U.S)
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Supplied By:
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Vantec
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Author:
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Shennon
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Date:
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July 10th, 2003
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Rating:
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MODTHEBOX would like to thank Clare from Vantec
for sending the Vantec Nexus NXP-205 Fan Controller for review.
Introduction:
In the year 1999, Cliff Anderson pioneered what would later become a concept for allowing consumers the
ability to connect multiple fans to one power supply connector. This idea spawned two revisions of new fan
controlling devices, the Baybus, a simple ON/OFF or ON/OFF/7V device and the Rheobus, a variable speed based
controller which uses a series of potentionmeters to adjust the voltage supplied to a fan. With the popularity
of the Rheobus, the fan controller market has been pretty crowded as of late, however, for the consumer, this
means there are many units to choose from. In February of this year, MTB had a chance to evaluate Vantec’s Nexus
NXP-201 Fan Controller, which despite a few short-comings faired well in our testing labs. Today in the MTB Labs,
we will be evaluating a smaller version of the Nexus Fan Controller, the NXP-205 model.
Specifications:
The Nexus NXP-205 Fan Controller connects up to 4 fans and allows you manually adjust the fan speed and noise level.
The fan speed is determined by the variable speed potentiometer settings which vary the voltage of the fan from
7V-12V. Each channel will support up to 18 watts. Ultra bright blue LED lights combine perfectly with the black
or silver housing. The Nexus Fan Controller is great for Large CFM fans and fits perfectly in your 3.5" drive bay.
Here are some of the specifications taken directly from the Vantec website:
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Vantec Nexus NXP-205 Fan Controller - Key Specifications:
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| Vantec Nexus NXP-205 Fan Controller: Manufactured by Vantec |
| Dimensions: 102 mm x 25.5 mm x 120 mm |
| Housing Material: Aluminum |
| Max Power Per Channel: 18 W |
| Input Voltage: 12 W |
| Output Voltage: 7 V ~ 12 V |
| Output Current: Up to 1.5 A |
| Weight: 120 gm |
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Vantec Nexus NXP-205 Fan Controller - Features:
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| 4 channel fan controller |
| Adjustable fan speed knob |
| Aluminum "U" type housing |
| Ultra bright blue LED lights |
| Each channel supports up to 18 Watts |
| Fits in a standard 3.5" drive bay |
| 3-pin fan headers for easy installation and connection |
| Great for Vantec Tornado or other high CFM fans |
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Click image for larger view
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Click image for larger view
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The Vantec Nexus NXP-205 Fan Controller ships in a standard cardboard pack suitable for retail display with a formed
plastic tray inside holding all the necessary parts. The rear packaging includes a feature list, model information, a
simple diagram on cable installation and a list of contents such as fan extension cables and mounting screws.
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Click image for larger view
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3 to 4-pin adapter and screws
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The housing of the NXP-205 is constructed from a single piece of aluminum with mounting tabs cut from the sides.
The blue circuit board has all the components generously spaced out, more-so than the NXP-201. Vantec has used
a longer circuit board layout than the NXP-201 due to the width of the 3.5" bay restrictions. The four front knobs
measure 11mm in length, which shouldn’t interfere with most cases that feature a swing away door configuration.
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Click image for larger view
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Nexus NXP-205 power cable
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The back portion of the NXP-205 provides a view of the mounted potentionmeters as well as five blue LEDs that
are used for the backlight. Like the NXP-201, these do not dim or brighten with the fan control. The Nexus
NXP-205 draws power through a 4-pin molex connector, and if a four pin connector from the power supply won’t reach,
Vantec includes an cable which will add a 22cm extension. The cable has been clearly labled as to which end
connect directly to the power supply connector. Along side of the 4-pin molex connector sits the four 3-pin fan
connectors. These connectors are mounted horizontally, rather than vertically like the NXP-201, which should
make plugging and unplugging easier once the unit is installed.
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