Fan controllers, AQUAERO VS mCubed T-Balancer (updated)

[luxbel]

CD, what weird stuff? i have it running without an issue, on Vista x64 (BigNG + Sensorhub, maybe soon a MiniNG) - just make sure you're using the USB<->serial driver, not that hacked vComm driver and you're set.

[Snyxxx]

Another difference is that the bigng needs to have software running in order to function properly while the aquaero does not.

Absolutely wrong! Please know what you are talking about before spewing something with such authority.

bigNG needs no software to run once configured.

[Serpentarius]

mCubed T-Balancer BigNG can be used as CCFL effects as well ... imo worth the buying
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...ghlight=mCubed

[RickCain]

mCubed T-Balancer BigNG can be used as CCFL effects as well ... imo worth the buying
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...ghlight=mCubed

You can do that with an AquaComputer Multiswitch (edit: minus the flashing which would put a normal person in a coma).......

It comes down to the Aquaero is currently supported where the mCubed has not been updated in almost two years.

Both have their pluses and minuses when comparing them. It comes down to what you want to do. From what you have said, both can accomplish your needs. Add in an AquaComputer XT pump and the integration really flows.

[Henrik Pejer]

Absolutely wrong! Please know what you are talking about before spewing something with such authority.

bigNG needs no software to run once configured.

Thats weird...

My experiance is that when the t-balancer software was not running the bigng would default to some preset power value meaning that the fans would spin but not reacting to difference in temperature.

But that was some time ago so perhaps some update has been released.

[LogAn'sRun]

@brodholm - There's a poster here called Oxheadbeef who has a lot of experience with the Mcubed, he's helped me out. Try pm'ing him, or checking over at sweclockers and see if he's around.

Anyway, there are ton's of e-tailers in sweden that sell the Mcubed, but the Aquero I found available in DK, or at Aquero's online shop.

My recommendation is if you get the Mcubed, you should get the Sensor Bus as well (sensor bus allows automatic PC shut off for pump failure), plus it gives you 2 more fan channels.

Cost is same same in the end with the Aquero. Just decide what interface you like. . .

[HESmelaugh]

I've had the bigNG for a while and it's a very neat device. Etremely flexible in what you can make it do. Though I have never had an aquaero, I have an aquastream XT and it also has a lot of settings and monitoring options. The software that drives aquaero and aquastream (known as aquasuite) is very polished and easy to use.
So really, I can't help you decide. Both devices are very good. I would say if you want a display, go for the aquaero if not, go for the bigNG.

[Shoggy]

Anyway, there are ton's of e-tailers in sweden that sell the Mcubed, but the Aquero I found available in DK, or at Aquero's online shop.

http://www.vcore.dk/shop/search-1.html?keyword=aquaero

[LogAn'sRun]

http://www.vcore.dk/shop/search-1.html?keyword=aquaero

dk = danmark like I said

[ScottAllyn]

I have a BigNG and a MiniNG along with the sensor hub and have have had no problems with them under Vista x64. I don't even have the USB link installed anymore and they're still doing what I programmed them to do (raise and lower the fan speeds based upon the temperature readings made by the sensors). The software is not the most intuitive, but it's not *that* difficult to figure out. I knew that the software wasn't actively updated anymore when I bought the devices, but wasn't really concerned about that based upon the number of success stories that I'd seen in the forums.

I've been running 3 scythe s-flex fans per channel, without a hitch, for a few months now. The heatsinks get decent airflow from the case fans and barely register any warmth when I touch them.

[Brodholm]

There seams to be alot of different opinions about this. And I am getting more and more confused

I really like the interface of the Aquaero but as said before it only handles 10w per channel and not more than a total of 30w. Where the Mcubed can take 20w per channel and 80w total. I will have 2 Thermochill radiators and they will have 3 fans each. That is a total of 6 there. And that will be 2 channels because a aquaero only takes 10w per channels and a yate loon takes about 3w each.

That will be fine if I'm going to settle with 2 loops but I don't know yet. Else I want all the fans on the same channel. But maybe you can set the aquaero to rise the speeds on 2 channels when a temperature rises, I don't know.

I will probably have a total of 9 or 10 fans in my new chassis. One for the hhd's another in the cpu area and maybe 2 for each pump. That will be 30w if all fans are at full speed. That maybe is pushing it for the Aquaero?

I want in the controller to do the following if that's possible:
Rise/lower the fans rpm according to temperature levels and finally shut them down if the temps is good enough.
Be able to read temperatures from different sensors. Like This one.
Shutdown the computer IF temps get to high or pump malfunction.
If it could control the pump that would be great. But not necessary because if I'm going to get a Swiftech MCP655 because you can set the speed manually. But I think Aquaero can control there aquastream pump.
well that's about it. And of course it is nice if the program is easy to control.

What is the differences with the AC aquaero 4.00 USB - VF-Display And AC aquaero 4.00 USB - white/blue it is almost 50% more expensive.

And one more question about pumps. If you have any experiences of the following pumps feel free to share it. The AC aquastream XT USB 12V Pump and in English (English url) and the Laing D5 Vario/Swiftech MCP655. They cost about the same (the aquastream is abit more expensive) but I don't know that much about the aquastream XT. I cant find any infos on noise, connection size, pressure, flow etc. So wich one is the best pump? It should be quiet, have good quality and be able to do one loop with 2 thermochills PA120.3, D-TEK FuZion v2, EK 150 Reservoir and one XSPC fullcover 4870x2. I don't even know if one of them can handle that loop that is why I may be going 2 loops.

dohh, as usual it is alot of questions I hope someone have some of the answers ^^

[Shoggy]

What is the differences with the AC aquaero 4.00 USB - VF-Display And AC aquaero 4.00 USB - white/blue it is almost 50% more expensive.

(...) but I don't know that much about the aquastream XT. I cant find any infos on noise, connection size, pressure, flow etc. So wich one is the best pump?

The VFD Variant has a much more expensive display. The rest is identical. A VF Display has no backlight like a LCD because its pixels are self glowing. I'm pretty sure you have already seen hundrets of VF Displays in your life - in a super market at the cashpoint for example.

You also have the big advantage that you can create almost every color with filter-folis. Have a look here to get an better idea.

Also the VFD variant has a better contrast and angle of view.

Unfortunately I don't know any english reviews for the aquastream XT pump. You can grab some comparsion charts from an Italian review.

[Brodholm]

The VFD Variant has a much more expensive display. The rest is identical. A VF Display has no backlight like a LCD because its pixels are self glowing. I'm pretty sure you have already seen hundrets of VF Displays in your life - in a super market at the cashpoint for example.

You also have the big advantage that you can create almost every color with filter-folis. Have a look here to get an better idea.

Also the VFD variant has a better contrast and angle of view.

Unfortunately I don't know any english reviews for the aquastream XT pump. You can grab some comparsion charts from an Italian review.

Ok, but what would you recommend ^^ come on sell me your products ^^ What is the big advantage with the aquaero against Mcubeds BigNG?

And If I asked you as a person, is the extra money for the VF display worth it?

[biggles1]

Thats weird...

My experiance is that when the t-balancer software was not running the bigng would default to some preset power value meaning that the fans would spin but not reacting to difference in temperature.

But that was some time ago so perhaps some update has been released.

That must have a very long time ago in a galaxy far, far way... mCubed bigNG has always been independent of the software. It has it's own processor with you program with the software. You probably didn't configure it correctly. I can be kind tricky to understand how it should be handled, but it is a marvelous device. Works under Vista 64 without any special complications!

[fox3]

>snip<, is the extra money for the VF display worth it?

Not sure what "worth it" means, that is really up to an individual and depends on the "depth" of your pockets I would guess.

I have an aquero VF display and find it easy on the eyes.

[Henrik Pejer]

That must have a very long time ago in a galaxy far, far way... mCubed bigNG has always been independent of the software. It has it's own processor with you program with the software. You probably didn't configure it correctly. I can be kind tricky to understand how it should be handled, but it is a marvelous device. Works under Vista 64 without any special complications!

It looks more and more like I'm totally wrong. So I'm gonna shut up and I guess you all can have a flame-fest aimed in my general direction...

I apologize for post about the bigng: it seems like both the aquaero and the bigng work the same way and do not need to have software, or even be connected via USB to function.

I'll edit my other post, sorry for the fuzz.

[luxbel]

Well, there are options out there for an LCD to talk to a bigNG. The only issue that I have found that only the Alphacool LCD with LCDHype's plugin talks to it correctly. I couldn't get the LCDStudio plugin to work (read the values), plus it's a bit more limited (the plugin written for the BigNG for LCDStudio only supports temps and rpms, while LCDHype's plugin supports just about everything). Wish that the LCDStudio package would work, the Matrix Orbitals are a much nicer LCD screen, in my opinion, especially the GX Typhoon Tri-color.

LCDHype's scripting is a little esoteric, but nothing that a good weekend of looking at scripting examples and trial and error won't fix.

With the BigNG + Sensorhub + a miniNG, you would be able to run two pumps (one on the BigNG and another on the MiniNG, for load purposes) and still have 4 fan channels, which can handle, more or less, 3 fans a pop. You want to have the BigNG cooled somehow - usually either by a 120mm fan blowing in it's direction, or mod a bit and load a 40mm directly on to it. The analog to PWM switch is temperature sensitive - if you keep the management processor cool, it won't trigger the switch, and you can load it even higher. Urlo (over at the mcubed forums) once said that adequately cooled, the BigNG could probably handle 80w - clicky. Switch over point is 80c, between analog and PWM mode.

That being said, I have a single pump and 3 fans running off of the BigNG right now - that's more than 20w overall, with a single 120mm in its general direction.

Updated after the fact: You can have technically another MiniNG (two total) on the BigNG, however, the Navigator software was never updated to reflect this. Each MiniNG needs its own unique address, set by jumpers, but the Navigator software can only monitor and manage one at a time. So if you wanted to go all out, and put, for example 3 pumps, you could, but you could only manage one of the MiniNGs at a time.

[Breezyjr]

I just want to know if I can run my three DDC pumps, and tons of fans off the aquero using (I think) two fan amps? Using Yate Loons.
Also, can I use a temp sensor, and flow sensor and the RPM sensor off the DDC pumps? This is what has me confused, how much can I attach.

[Brodholm]

It can only take 30w so I doubt that. Although you can have a total of 10 fans spread out on the 4 channels. Still the Aquaero is more appealing to me with the developing going forward and stuff :\
If it is true that mcubed has stopped updating the software

[luxbel]

Looks like, at least from what I've been able to piece together, is that the Aquero would need 3x poweradjust USB LT's (one per DDC), which connect directly to your internal USB headers, along with the Aquero itself. Each poweradjust USB can handle a flowmeter, and the Aquero has 6 sensor ports for temp probes. That would allow you to run fans on all 4 ports on the Aquero, for a maximum of 40w, 10w per channel.

[Brodholm]

Can the Aquaero close down the computer if the pump malfunction? Or what do I need to get it to do that?

I still haven't decided! I think I'm going crazy

[0xdeadbeef]

Brodholm, check out this thread for info about what you can do with the bigNG:

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=114624

It's a great device and it can pull more weight than most people need. I have tested 17 San Aces running at full speed hooked up to a bigNG, miniNG and sensorbus without any problem.

[Shoggy]

Can the Aquaero close down the computer if the pump malfunction? Or what do I need to get it to do that?

Yes, it can shutdown your system via its relay or the aquasuite software. At least you should get the relay plug to connect the aquaero parallel to the power button of your case so it can "push" the button to shutdown the system. Also this can be configurated in detail - a few seconds to make sure that the system switchs off or only one second to act like you would go into standby or whatever.

You can also use an ATX adapter to directly switch off the PSU.



To monitor the pump you will need a flow sensor or a tacho signal from the pump or an aquastream Or you combine all of them

edit: Brodholm, you can download the aquasuite and start it in a demo mode. Maybe then you will get a better idea of the possibilities.

[-X-hellfire]

I'm running two T-Balancer XL and two T-Balancer Navigator v2 software to control the following...



top controller 1
1 cpu ...120mm Cooltek
2 gpu/door in ...80mm Cooltek fan in the door which can start if it needs to help cool the gpu
3 psu/twin out ...two 80mm Panaflo fans that helps get some heat out, was meant to control the psu fan but it has it's own controller, Corsair HX520, and 5 year warranty
4 case out ...120mm Noctua

bottom controller 2
5 top out ...80mm Noctua
6 hdd in ...4-in-3 harddisk rack with a 120mm Cooltek fan intake fan infront
7 6 hdd in ...4-in-3 harddisk rack with a 120mm Cooltek fan intake fan
8 ext hdd/fw ...outside the case i got two fans,
120mm Papst: cooling external harddisks, sometimes four backup harddisk, helps some to keep them cool when running long backups
120mm Noctua: cooling firewall and adsl modem

all fans are connected to
Attenuator fan noise Reducer which can power two fans each, and they do help keep the noise down,






the sensorbus is sensitive to interference as the top controllers internal usb cable was extended to reach the motherboards usb headers, which means that if I connect more than 4 digital sensors they show the wrong value, i'm now running them under manual settings, will try to make a new internal usb cable



T-Balancer XL are very flexible and its very good to create custom curves for each fan but the software is lacking in that its not very user friendly, drives you nuts sometimes, but it´s works

[TheGanG]

Yes, it can shutdown your system via its relay or the aquasuite software. At least you should get the relay plug to connect the aquaero parallel to the power button of your case so it can "push" the button to shutdown the system. Also this can be configurated in detail - a few seconds to make sure that the system switchs off or only one second to act like you would go into standby or whatever.

You can also use an ATX adapter to directly switch off the PSU.



To monitor the pump you will need a flow sensor or a tacho signal from the pump or an aquastream Or you combine all of them

edit: Brodholm, you can download the aquasuite and start it in a demo mode. Maybe then you will get a better idea of the possibilities.

Thank you for clear guidance...