NZXT Sentry 3 Touchscreen Fan Controller

djdestiny

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NZXT recently released a new fan controller to update their old NZXT Sentry 2.
Also, I want to say thank you to Hydra Distribution for sending it to me ;)

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15W ...
I've got fan controllers that will do 30W all day and night across 3 channels

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;)

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Mind you there really isn't a single word about where it's made ... this is not a good sign ...
 

djdestiny

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5.4" Massive.

Package contents

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Straight away you can tell it's irksome. Just.Look.At.The.Touch.Pads

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Zip ties, an extra thermo probe in case you lose it.

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A hopelessly complicated user manual that doesn't say anything about manual mode not reporting any RPM. Strangely the user manual says there are 3 thermometer probes. Odd.

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This in quiet mode. "Quiet" minimum speed is 40% and it ramps up to 50% at 32C :sarcastic and it also spins for 30secs at full speed before going down to set speed when you turn it on, change mode and change fan settings.

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You see what I mean.

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Performance mode? And they expect the probe to placed on the cpu socket ...
 

djdestiny

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It gets worse.

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Temp probe is off by 0.9C and the circuitry is only good for 0.5C gaps. Well meaning it only updates from 42.1C to 42.6C as an exmaple even if the actual temp dropped by 0.1C only.

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You get the drift now?

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They didn't even bother to clean off the mound of flux

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Holtek chips (Possibly LCD, haven't checked on it) on two ends of the boards.

No wonder it's only good for 15W the transistors are SOT23! Still better than the previous gens which brought to the table bling and 5W or 10W. Also it's a PWM design although the pathetically low rating lead me to think it's a voltage design but .. NAW. this is 2014

In case you still don't get it I have a video for you



Also, Bad viewing angle. Viewed straight on it is dim but the only real viewing angle is from above

Pros
Touchscreen!
Automatic fan control ability

Cons
40% minimum
30sec delay between modes and fan settings when turning it down ...
Bad viewing angle
Exposed touch pads, not something you want to see
Only 1 temperature probe unlike NZXT Sentry 3 or the majority of fan controllers out there

Wrapping up I initially wanted to use it so badly for my project log fall of schwarz but it is so clunky and weird that I don't want to use it anymore ... Oh well.
It is a feature packed and great fan controller on paper ... Good idea but not refined at all.
 
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shadow84

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Sometimes, going simple is better than trying throw in a butt-load of features which will affect the user experience.
 

djdestiny

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Cannot put so bluntly lah :s13::o
Cannot put so bluntly ... This one was a gift anyway. Doing hydra service by reviewing it ... Maybe not a good idea :o

:D
+1 for rare honest reviewer.

I try my best to keep it as unbiased as possible. If I let me NZXT frustration take over it will be a hate-fueled review ...
The countless quality issues on my S810 ...
 

Ark Law

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Good thing that this thing sucks, cause it keeps NZXT true to its roots; sub par plasticky stuff
 

Assault

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I have the old model Sentry 2 in my rig and don't have the 30 second delay issue, I guess in this case LESS is MORE!
 

Ark Law

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Yeah, I had the older Sentry 2 as well, the damn thing minimum speed was 40% too
 

djdestiny

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At the same price of the S2 I can say for all the inconvenience ... Just buy a lamptron. Save your frustration.
 

Ark Law

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At the same price of the S2 I can say for all the inconvenience ... Just buy a lamptron. Save your frustration.

You'd probably won't please Hydra, but +1 for your honest review & comments. Doing it a la Linus is a nice touch instead of holding the product brand's balls.

Let's see if Hydra will be butthurt or not if they continue sending stuff to you :D
 

djdestiny

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You'd probably won't please Hydra, but +1 for your honest review & comments. Doing it a la Linus is a nice touch instead of holding the product brand's balls.

Let's see if Hydra will be butthurt or not if they continue sending stuff to you :D

Hydra has been nice with me lah besides this is NZXT's fault and not their fault. :o
 

Ark Law

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Hydra has been nice with me lah besides this is NZXT's fault and not their fault. :o

Expected them to be a little critical of your review since it puts negative spotlight on this product and potential sales :s13:

But this being NZXT, there's bound to be something crappy about it :D
 
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