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NZXT Sentry 3

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#1 ·
NZXT Sentry 3

Description:
Sentry 3 5.4" Touch Screen 15Wx5 fan controller with automatic fan controller dependent on the installed temperature probe
 

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#2 ·
Heap of crap.

review by davelt

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



5.4" Massive.

Package contents



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



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



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.



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.



You see what I mean.



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



It gets worse.



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 example even if the actual temp dropped by 0.1C only.



You get the drift now?



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



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.

ProsCons
Touchscreen Automatic fan control ability40% minimum speed, 30 sec delay on turning on etc etc, bad viewing angle, exposed touch pads, only 1 temp probe
 
#9 ·
Easy to set up and use. Effective and serene.

review by onceugobe

As noted, Sentry 3 has only one probe.

I have the Sentry 2 in my workstation, the 5 sensors utilized fully to cool the 4.4Ghz Piledriver and it's workings. But the wires are tricky to place, and the Inside of my case looks cluttered, in part because of this device.

This Sentry 3 is for my Internet Computer with a 3.2Ghz Athlon II. It will increase the longevity of components, and set the stage for processor upgrade.

I put the probe on the NB heat sink. I attached 2 wires to my pair of 120 intakes. The other 2 to a pair of top mounted exhausts. Mount Sentry below DVD burner and attach power. Boom done!

Almost.

I found a perforated black cover to put in front of it, The blue glow of the animation filters through, but this way, my peeps can't change settings or make it beep while futzing with it's controls.

Setting it is simple. It's most intriguing control is a gently spinning blue orb. You just touch it to cycle from Quiet, Performance or Manual. Certainly, there are more features to explore. But I do not need them.

I leave it on the quiet setting. All temps in Fractal Design for case, VRM, NB and SB stay in the low to high 30s, always.

I have also tried the 8120 in this setup and the cooling system performs well. (My Ultra 750, "poser" series PSU, not so much. But that is another story)

The sentry 3 eliminated several Molex and y connectors, and varying speed control devices. The wiring snarl mostly went away and the fans turn at the same slow pace.

And it's quiet. Man I mean it!

PS I need one of these for my HTPC.

ProsCons
10 minutes tops to install, Controls simplified, Not unpleasant looks, Two progammed modes, Cleaner case.Gaming case may need more sensors. Programmed features easy to use, but others are not intuitive, to me.

Ratings
Overall4
 
#10 ·
Terrible

review by said nobody

If the one prob goes bad then be prepared to get screwed because the whole fan controller goes messed up.

ProsCons
Decent ControllerNo software support. One Prob, temps are off most of the times.
 
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