Vantec Nexus NXP-201 Fan Controller<base href="http://www.atruereview.com/" /> <link rel="shortcut icon" href="http://www.atruereview.com/images/favicon.ico" /> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1" /> <link href="http://www.atruereview.com/templates/rt_versatility_iii/css/template_css.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" /> <link href="http://www.atruereview.com/templates/rt_versatility_iii/css/style10.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" /> <link href="http://www.atruereview.com/templates/rt_versatility_iii/slimbox/slimbox.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" /> <link href="http://www.atruereview.com/templates/rt_versatility_iii/css/rokmoomenu.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" />  <link rel="shortcut icon" href="http://www.atruereview.com/images/favicon.ico" /> <style type="text/css"> td.left div.moduletable, td.right div.moduletable, td.left div.moduletable-hilite1, td.right div.moduletable-hilite1, td.left div.moduletable-hilite2, td.right div.moduletable-hilite2, td.left div.moduletable-hilite3, td.right div.moduletable-hilite3, td.left div.moduletable-hilite4, td.right div.moduletable-hilite4, td.left div.moduletable-hilite5, td.right div.moduletable-hilite5, td.left div.moduletable-hilite6, td.right div.moduletable-hilite6, td.left div.moduletable-hilite7, td.right div.moduletable-hilite7, td.left div.moduletable-hilite8, td.right div.moduletable-hilite8 { width: 175px; 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I was impressed with the 101's concept of controlling the CPU fan. Unfortunately, the Nexus NXP-101 only allows for one fan to be controlled. What about the rest of the case fans? Today I will take a look at the Vantec Nexus NXP-201, fan controller. The Nexus NXP-201 allows for up to 4 individual fans to be controlled, perfect for allowing you to take control over your cooling system.</p> <p align="center"><a href="atruereview/NXP201/nxppackage.JPG"><img src="atruereview/NXP201/nxppackageth.JPG" width="250" height="248" alt="Vantec Nexus NXP-201 In Package" border="1"></a><br> <font size="-1">Click on image for larger picture</font> <br> </p> <p align="left"><b>Overview:</b></p> <p align="left">The Nexus NXP-201 is a basic fan controller that allows control of 4 fans, or I should say fan busses. More than 4 fans can be used when attaching multiple fans to one of the Nexus' rheostat.</p> <p align="left">Digital Docs and other fan monitoring systems only allow you to turn on and off fans based on temperature. A manual system is more work, but it allows control over the fans. Instead of a fan turning on full blast at a certain temperature, the Vantec Nexus NXP-201 allows you to turn the fan on just a little bit, when only a little bit of air is called for. This saves you from the headaches of a loud system.</p> <p align="center"><a href="atruereview/NXP201/nxpinside.jpg"><img src="atruereview/NXP201/nxpinsideth.jpg" width="250" height="274" alt="Vantec Nexus NXP-201 Parts" border="1"></a><br> <font size="-1">Click on image for larger picture</font> <br> </p> <p align="left">The NXP-201 uses an ATX power connection to power the fans and an AT power connection to power the unit. There are four rheostat knobs that control the voltage to the fan lines.</p> <p align="left">The Vantec NXP-201's parts include power cables and screws. The power cables included with the Nexus consist of two AT to ATX power cables that plug AT fans into the Nexus, one AT power extension cable that provides power to the Nexus, and one ATX power cable extension that plugs an ATX fan to the NXP-201. I felt like I was missing a cable because I only had three fan power cables and the device supports four fans. I looked through the packing and all around but could not find another cable. Whether there is supposed to be another one or not, I have not contacted Vantec to find out.</p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="center"><img src="atruereview/NXP201/nxplights.jpg" width="300" height="117" alt="Vantec Nexus NXP-201 Parts" border="1"><br> </p> <p align="left"><b>Installation:</b></p> <p align="left">Installation was pretty simple. The Nexus NXP-201 does not sit flush with the other drives in my Antec case, which is good because the knobs do not stick out and collide with the case door. It actually rests in about 1/4 of an inch.</p> <p align="left">As you imagine the operation is pretty simple, turn the knob, the fan goes faster. The Nexus NXP-201 supports a voltage range of 7 to 13 volts. This is how the power is decreased to the fan. On the slowest setting the Nexus is only supplying 7 volts to the case fan. <b>Make sure your fans support a voltage range</b>, most do. </p> <p align="left">The Nexus supports a Tornado fan, in case you are insane and want to use one. I turned it on for about 5 minutes just to make sure it worked, then I threw that loud monster back in the box. For my permanent setup, I hooked two High speed Panaflo's (FBA-08A12H) to the first fan power bus, one high speed Panaflo to the second power bus, and my Volcano 7+ to the third power bus. I prefer the high speed Panaflos because they are ultra quiet for the amount of air that they move.</p> <p align="left"> I like the bright blue LEDs for each knob. The lighting is not cheesy but actually glows very sharp and adds that cool control button look to the front of your case. The only thing cooler, I imagine, are lights that do not light up in a full circle. Instead they light up in an arch depending on how far the knob was turned.</p> <p align="left"><b>Conclusion:</b></p> <p align="left">The Vantec Nexus NXP-201 is the perfect fan controller system. The NXP-201 eliminates the need to reach behind or inside of your case to change the speeds of your fans. You can cantor the speed of your fans fully, as long as they support a voltage range from 7 - 13 volts. The glowing LED knobs add cool looking effects to your case. </p> <p align="left"><strong>Added 06-05-03</strong></p> <p align="left">The Nexus NXP-201 failed about 3 months after operation. For a while only one potentiometer failed. After that I had to turn the fourth potentiometer to operated the first fan. A few days later the whole device just failed, cutting power to all my fans. While the idea of the Nexus is a good one, I have read many complaints about their high failure rate. I would not recommend buying one do to this fact.</p> <p align="left"><b>Pros:</b></p> <ul> <li>Bright LED knobs.</li> <li>Easy Install.</li> <li>Full control system fans</li> </ul> <p align="left"><b>Cons:</b></p> <ul> <li>LEDs are always on and only blue</li> <li>Missing some cables</li> <li>Poor Quality</li> </ul> <p align="left"><b>Rating:</b> (Updated 06-04-03)<br> Fair</p> <p>(Ratings Possible Terrible, Very Bad, Bad, Fair, Good, Very Good, Excellent) </p> </td> <td background="../Images/sidebackrt.jpg"width="25" height="739"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25" background="../Images/botlftcor.jpg" height="23"></td> <td background="../Images/botback.jpg" height="23" width="490"></td> <td width="25" background="../Images/botrtcor.jpg" height="23"></td> <tr> </p> </div> </td> </tr> </table> </div> <div id="footer" class="clr"> <div class="rk-1"> <div class="rk-2"> <div id="the-footer"> <script type="text/javascript"> var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? 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