REVIEW-NZXT Sentry 2 Performance Touch Screen Fan Controller

[Duke-Nukem]

Today we are reviewing the Sentry 2 fan controller from NZXT, a company that is has been building computer products since 2004. The Sentry 2 is designed to be an all-in-one command center for keeping the heat from ruining your gaming pc. Let get right into the review!





Packaging:
NZXT shipped the Sentry 2 box securely packed in our favorite material: packaging peanuts. These keep the unit safe from any bumps and bruises during shipping. The product package was sharp looking in all black showcasing the products on the top, and all features on the bottom. It also has the features listed in French, German, and Spanish for international customers.























Contents:
The NZXT Sentry 2 came in a small box, packaged with the information sheet, screws, adhesive strips, and 2 extra temperature probes. The unit itself came in a static bag, with foam packing on the ends of the unit to secure it in the box.




Features and Construction
The latest entry from NZXT is a complete system fan controller that installs with ease into any 5.25” bay and allows you to regulate any fan with voltage control. It is a well-built product that is feature-rich and is sure to please the most serious system builder. It is also an amazing looking product too! Here are the features in detail from NZXT:
• Touch screen interface
• Five fan control through an intuitive interface
• Ultra fast selection and response time
• Display temperatures in both F and C
• Light switch turns off the meter when sleeping
• Automatic and manual modes of control
• Full compatibility with all types of fans using voltage control
• With a minimum of at least 10 Watts per channel, the Sentry 2 will support almost all high end fans
• Tuned accuracy with only a tolerance of one degree
• Sound alarm to alert when the temperature is over
• Stored settings, the Sentry keeps your settings even after power off

Installation:
The installation went smoothly. It was nice to see the slimmed down redesign from the Sentry LX, which took up two 5.25” drive bays to just one with the Sentry 2. Cables were long enough to reach my existing fans on my Cooler Master HAF 932. I was also pleased to see the addition of the 4 pin molex connectors on the ends of each fan lead with the 3 pin connectors. This now gives you more options to connect different fans without needing to purchase separate adaptors. Bravo guys!



This is my system on the Cooler Master HAF 932 platform case. Notice the NZXT Sentry LX currently installed. Time for an upgrade!





We removed the LX and installed the Sentry 2. I moved my CD drive down and returned a bay cover.



Once installed, its time to start running the power leads and placing the temperature sensors.



After hooking up all the fans, I tested the unit with a simple molex power adaptor to make sure the fans worked properly before returning all the covers and reconnecting everything. That can be a bummer to have to start over if you missed something!



Here we see the placement of one of the temperature sensors. As you can see, the tape has a mind of its own sometimes. It will hold it in place, so not to worry. When I removed the LX, NONE of the sensors had come free and I did that review back in March of this year...


Performance:
This unit performed well. The touch screen is a very nice addition and makes this unit even more hi-tech than the Sentry LX I tested before. I used a GE digital thermometer with a corded sensor to compare the temperature zones with the case closed and the sensors were accurate. I also tested the sensors in areas that were cooler than others and heated them up with a 1200 watt heat gun. The fans responded quickly with an RPM increase along with the system alarm. Also I wanted to note the improvement on the display. I reviewed the Sentry LX some time back and found that after installing, I had a hard time reading the display from certain angles. This has been corrected with the new display of the Sentry 2 and I must say, it is much easier to read this time around! The only thing I would change on this unit would be to include the temp probes on the same leads as the fan power cables. It would make routing all these wires a little neater (I have 4 case fans in my HAF 932). That is simply a personal preference, and it does not affect installation one bit. I still might sleeve the leads together for a cleaner, more professional look. I will post pics of it if and when I do.




Final thoughts:

I have reviewed many products in the last year, and I must say that this is a first. I give the Sentry 2 a perfect score in all categories. If you have a hi-performance gaming machine with several case fans, YOU MUST GET THIS PRODUCT! I highly recommend it to everyone who wants to take direct control of your case temperature issues. Also, I would encourage you to install extra fans if you are having temperature issues and make sure to add this product to manage those fan additions. As many of you know, heat is your pc’s worst enemy. Beat the heat with the Sentry 2 from NZXT!


Performance 10/10 – Overall the best performing controller I’ve seen
Packaging 10/10 – Sleek looking package presentation is an eye catcher
Features 10/10 – Temperature sensors and automatic fan speed adjustment
Construction 10/10 – Well built and should outlast your processors popularity!
Price 10/10 – For $29.99 at that egg hardware site, you cannot beat the price!

This Product also earns the Xtreme Gaming Clubhouse Platinum Award!

[xXxDieselxXx]

Wow! this is amazing sweet!

Questions:

1- How many temperature zones does it reads? or How many temp sensors comes with it?

2- How many fans can it control?

Thanks!

[Duke-Nukem]

5 fans and 5 zones, 1 for each fan. The 5 fans are listed in the review...

Originally Posted by xXxDieselxXx

Wow! this is amazing sweet!

Questions:

1- How many temperature zones does it reads? or How many temp sensors comes with it?

2- How many fans can it control?

Thanks!

[Bodkin]

Can you easily add water-cooling in line temp probes. Also, can you stick a temp probe in the cpu area

[pezcore]

no comments on how noisy some fans can be? (humming/buzzing)

I got this a couple weeks ago and had to take it out because my fans were too loud with it

[Duke-Nukem]

Yes you can put a temp probe in the cpu area, and even hook up your cpu fan power to it. I do not overclock, so I chose not to configure this way. It does come with 2 extra probes, I guess you could make an in-line block to attach it to to monitor coolant temperature. I am a manufacturing engineer, so I know for me, it would be fairly easy to fabricate such a block.

Originally Posted by Bodkin

Can you easily add water-cooling in line temp probes. Also, can you stick a temp probe in the cpu area

[Duke-Nukem]

Well, it certainly does not make your fans any louder. if your fans are running at the max RPM before installation, this would quiet them down during non-peak temperatures. How did this make your fans noisier?

Originally Posted by pezcore

no comments on how noisy some fans can be? (humming/buzzing)

I got this a couple weeks ago and had to take it out because my fans were too loud with it

[pezcore]

The minimum speed at 40% was faster (thus, louder) than just plugging in my case fan with a molex connector, but much worse was the humming/buzzing noises that my fans made when connected to this thing. Do I have only the wrong kinds of fans?

[xXxDieselxXx]

Originally Posted by pezcore

The minimum speed at 40% was faster (thus, louder) than just plugging in my case fan with a molex connector, but much worse was the humming/buzzing noises that my fans made when connected to this thing. Do I have only the wrong kinds of fans?

Just curious... Did you try to adjust fan speeds? to a sweet spot?

IMO the fans are to blame and not the controller as long as you can adjust them.

[Duke-Nukem]

I asked NZXT about this:

• Full compatibility with all types of fans using voltage control

I am also assuming that NZXT is saying that you can use any type of fan because the controller uses voltage control. I have contacted them and am awaiting a response to answer your question.

P.S. Hey Diesel, is that Tom Seizmore from Band Of Brothers in your Sig? I LOVE that series. It was so well done...

Originally Posted by pezcore

The minimum speed at 40% was faster (thus, louder) than just plugging in my case fan with a molex connector, but much worse was the humming/buzzing noises that my fans made when connected to this thing. Do I have only the wrong kinds of fans?

[pezcore]

Yeah I tried every step, and the humming was present. What is weird is that when I plug my case fan into the 3pin port on the mobo, it runs full blast. When I use the molex connecter to connect it a spot from the PSU it's nice and quiet. When I use that same source to power the Sentry 2, the fans go faster and the humming occurs.

I will probably try it again at some point if I get around to buying a different 120mm fan, but for now it's out of my computer.

[xXxDieselxXx]

Originally Posted by Duke-Nukem

P.S. Hey Diesel, is that Tom Seizmore from Band Of Brothers in your Sig? I LOVE that series. It was so well done...

Yes, Tom Seizmore but the scene is from the movie Saving Private Ryan

I really loved that scene

[Duke-Nukem]

OMG, my bad! And I call myself a movie buff....LOL

Originally Posted by xXxDieselxXx

Yes, Tom Seizmore but the scene is from the movie Saving Private Ryan

I really loved that scene

[Bodkin]

Any one ever put a temp probe between cpu and cooler? Or would this destroy contact?

[Duke-Nukem]

It would interfere with a full contact on your CPU cooler if you did that. You might be able to stick it somewhere close to the CPU on the cooler itself, but I do not think this will give you an accurate reading. Would it be possible to buy a spacer plate out of copper with a machined slot to accommodate such a configuration with a probe? If they are not available, I would be willing to make one for someone to test out and post the results here on XS.

Originally Posted by Bodkin

Any one ever put a temp probe between cpu and cooler? Or would this destroy contact?

[Duke-Nukem]

Hey pezcore...My contact would like to know the details about the fans you are running. Brand, size and/or model number if you would please. This is for all fans you tried connecting it to. Thanks a bunch.

Duke

Originally Posted by pezcore

Yeah I tried every step, and the humming was present. What is weird is that when I plug my case fan into the 3pin port on the mobo, it runs full blast. When I use the molex connecter to connect it a spot from the PSU it's nice and quiet. When I use that same source to power the Sentry 2, the fans go faster and the humming occurs.

I will probably try it again at some point if I get around to buying a different 120mm fan, but for now it's out of my computer.

[Bodkin]

Problem with an extra copper plate is that you would lengthan heat transfer path by a lot. I have seen some people cut a slot in the ihs to hold a temp probe, but that is a pretty extream option

[xXxDieselxXx]

Hi Duke! I just ordered this controller for my new build Thanks so much...

I also ordered the HAF-932 case.

For the CPU temp, I'm wondering if placing a sensor in the CPU's back plate will give a good reading?

[Duke-Nukem]

I would test that first and compare with actual temps. It will be cooler than internal temps. I know Intel based CPU's have a DTS on each core, so I would trust those readings before an external sensor. RealTemp is supposed to be a good temp monitoring program, depending on the OS you use. I did not look into it to far, and there is a thread here at XS about it: http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...78#post2809778 Keep in mind there is no interface with the MOBO or the OS if you do hook this controller up to your CPU cooler. Any heat issues from overclocking or intense CPU testing will not be resolved from your bios, or on board temp monitoring software. You will be flying solo, so to speak. Like I said, I do not overclock the system I installed this on, but I still wanted to be able to monitor CPU temps from the OS, and if it does get too hot, to allow a shutdown. You will love the HAF 932. One nice feature of it is the back panel for the rear MOBO access. The metal is stamped outward and offset to give you room for your cable routing. It's a must. Many of the newer cases do not have this feature. It makes for a cleaner system inside when you can route cables out of sight.

Duke

Originally Posted by xXxDieselxXx

Hi Duke! I just ordered this controller for my new build Thanks so much...

I also ordered the HAF-932 case.

For the CPU temp, I'm wondering if placing a sensor in the CPU's back plate will give a good reading?

[xXxDieselxXx]

Thanks buddy!

Well I was not going to fly solo however I just wanted to have an extra eye checking CPU temps. It's kind of cool to have this available.

[Bodkin]

Obsidian 800D all the way :P It just replaced my HAF

[LC_Nab]

Mmmm , Lets say if you have 10 fans and you join 3 on one channel , 3 on another and 3 more on another and 1 on a single channel , now Will the other 9 run or it will be to much of an overload ? Reason I ask this its because I have push and pull configurations 4 on a 240 rad and 6 on a 360 rad . ( Fans are S-flex 1900 rpm )

[Duke-Nukem]

Hmmmm.... To be honest I was not sure, until I checked the NZXT website. The documentation that comes with the unit has no power specs on it. However, the website says: "With a minimum of at least 10 Watts per channel, the Sentry 2 will support almost all high end fans" It also states if you have a PWM fan (pulse width modulated), you must purchase a separate converter for it. As far as 3 per channel, add up the wattage and connect them accordingly. You may get only 2 per channel. Also, there is no reason you couldn't buy 2 Sentry 2 controllers and split the loads between them...

Duke

Originally Posted by LC_Nab

Mmmm , Lets say if you have 10 fans and you join 3 on one channel , 3 on another and 3 more on another and 1 on a single channel , now Will the other 9 run or it will be to much of an overload ? Reason I ask this its because I have push and pull configurations 4 on a 240 rad and 6 on a 360 rad . ( Fans are S-flex 1900 rpm )

[LC_Nab]

Mmm true true , Thank you for the information ,Seems like a good buy .