Vantec Nexus NXP101 Multi-Function Panel,CPU Fan, Temperature and Audio Alarm Control Capability -USB, Firewire Port- Interchangeable Faceplates. The Nexus Multi-Function Panel fits in your 5.25-inch drive bay to give you an ultimate and effective PC management. Plug-N-Play. No software or driver installation required. Mount it, connect it and start using it. Vantec Nexus NXP101 Multi-Function Panel,CPU Fan, Temperature and Audio Alarm Control Capability -USB, Firewire Port- Interchangeable Faceplates

Vantec has continued its tradition of making stylish add-on components with the release of the Nexus Multi-function Panel.Vantec Nexus Multi-Function Panel NXP-101 - USB / IEEE 1394 panel - 4 pin USB Type A, 6 pin FireWire

The Nexus Multi-Function Panel fits in your 5.25-inch drive bay to give you an ultimate and effective PC management. Plug-N-Play. No software or driver installation required. Mount it, connect it and start using.

Manufacturer:Vantec Nexus
Model: NXP101
Price: $49.00 usually sell for $59.00
Stock: 2
Condition: Brand New in Retail Box
Warranty: 90 Days


Specifications

Dimension: 148.5 X 41.5 X 62.0 mm
Weight: 350.0G
Rated Voltage: 5V 5% ~ 12V 5%
Input Power: 5V Less than 0.5W12V depends on the type of CPU cooling fan
Fan Dimensions: 80(L) X 80(H) X 25(W) mm
Panel Temperature Range: 15C ~ 70C
Sensor Temperature Range 15C ~ 90C
Special Features: Integrated dual USB 2.0 and IEEE 1394 device ports


Included in the packaging along with the unit are: 3 temperature sensors, 2 CPU fan cables, 1 Power cable, 1 USB 2.0 cable, 1 Firewire cable, 8 Allen screws for mounting the unit, and 2 additional faceplates (making 3 total) in colors green, light blue, and purple, and a user's guide for easy installation. The panel has the ability to control CPU fan speed with the large round knob in the middle of the faceplate, which acts as a rheobus for the fan on your processor. It will also display temperature readings from the CPU, HDD, and case on a backlit LCD display built into the front cover of the panel, which are controlled by a slender button located between the CPU fan speed knob and the display. Each push of the button toggles between the different temperature mode readings on the display. There are 2 additional USB 2.0 ports, and 1 Firewire port located on the opposite side of the CPU knob. In addition to the features you can see, is an alarm warning speaker on the PCB (printed circuit board) which indicates with a high pitched beep when the processor fan fails, or when temperatures rise above normal levels.

Any person should be able to install the panel without difficulty. All connections are clearly marked on the PCB of the unit and if that wasn't enough, each end of the included connector cables are marked also. Instead of plugging the CPU fan directly into the motherboard, now it is routed from the CPU into the PCB on the panel and then from the panel into the motherboard. The 3 temperature sensors can be installed on anything you wish to monitor, although the sensor is too thick to go under the CPU where you really would want to record temp readings from, so you will have to modify it to work and risk damaging a sensor or simply mount it elsewhere and deal with a not so accurate reading. The dual USB 2.0 ports and single Firewire ports are pretty straight forward and connect to the motherboard easily. Once powered up the display will show the current temp (in Celsius only) and RPM of the CPU fan. The mode button allows you to scroll through the temperature sensors and displays the readings. The backlight makes viewing the display a breeze in a dark room. The 3 different colored faceplates will make it look sharp in most any case, or you can remove the colored faceplates completely and simply use the aluminum colored backing.

Conclusion

The Nexus Multi-function Panel will make controlling and monitoring CPU temps a snap. With the great design and ease of installation anyone should find the Multi-function Panel a great buy. With 4 different colored themes to choose from it should match any case and will look great. Get one for yourself, you won't be disappointed.

Likes

-Easy installation
-Reduced CPU fan noise
-Ability to monitor 3 different temps
-Different colored faceplates
-Backlit Display
-Additional Firewire and USB 2.0 ports