NZXT Sentry Mix 2 Review

NZXT Sentry Mix 2

Price(US): $29.99

Price(EU): €26.47

Specifications:

• 6-Channel’s @ 30W/Channel w/ Total combined wattage of 180W (+/-) 5-10W

• Uses [x1] 5.25” Drive bay using x4 M3 Screws w/ Threaded brass screw mounts

• [x2] Standard 5-Pin MOLEX(Off of one header on the Fan Controller PCB) for power

• Compatible with PWM and Non-PWM Fans

• Switchable 5 Color LED: Red, Green, Blue, White, and Orange

• Modular/Removable Fan control channels: Each channels cable has the ability to be removed if not required.

• Voltage Range(Variable): 5-12V~

The NZXT Sentry Mix 2 moves away from ‘tacky’ and unreliable touch-screen, multi-function Fan controllers(Such as the Aerocool Touch 2100 or Strike X) and implements a very simple and aesthetically pleasing(not to mention, it will match just about any enclosure/setup) design.

Utilizing 6 Linear potentiometers capable of outputting 30W Each(for a combined wattage of 180W!). Your average 120mm Fan consuming 3-6W, theoretically with a splitter you could run 3-4 Fans easily per channel, although it would be a bit unnecessary.

IC And Power/Filtering Circuit Overview: TBD(To be Determined)

After owning and using the Sentry Mix 2 over the course of 3 Builds(3+ Years), I can say its probably the best Fan-controller out there, but I do have 1-2 things I find quite annoying with its overall design and functionality:

• Over time, and sometimes even straight out of the box the Linear Potentiometers that control the Fan speeds(Or resistance, rather) will start to become misaligned by ⅛ of an Inch and when viewed closely they will be slightly horizontally uneven. Given, this is a very picky and small gripe, but It’s certainly something that annoys me and possibly others.

• There is no way to completely stop any Fans/Devices connected to the controller, only reducing them to minimum rated fan speed(s)

• No ability to check the status of the individual fans(Fan failure, current RPM, ETC). But this is definitely something that’s naturally inherent to the design on the Sentry Mix 2, Being entirely mechanical.

OVERALL: 7/10

References/URLS:

https://www.nzxt.com/

#hardware #fan #control #sentrymix