Nexus Fan Controller - NXP-201-BK/NXP-201-SL - Vantec
Vantec submitted the NXP-201-BK and the NXP-201-SL for review. The only difference between the two units is the front bezel color.
Vantec has two standard traditional fan bus offerings: the NXP-201 Series and the NXP-205 Series. The major difference between these two is basically their form factor. The NXP-201 Series uses traditional 5-¼ mounting, while the NXP-205 series uses 3-½ mounting. Vantec shipped us both the NXP-201-BK and the NXP-201-SL. The only difference between these two units is the color of the front bezel. Even after close inspection we found no other differences.
| Product Model Number | NXP-201-BK / NXP-201-SL |
| Configuration Description (Type) | Traditional 4 Fan Controller |
| Mounting Configuration / Color | 5 ¼ - Available With Black Or Sliver Bezel |
| Number Of Fans Controllable | 4 |
| Temperature Monitoring Supported | No |
| Audible Overheating Alarm | No |
| Front Mounted Port Support | No |
| Special Features | Back lit fan controller knobs |
| Features & Design Score | 8 |
| Performance (Pass / Fail) | Pass |
| Value Score Based On Retail Price | 9 |
| Sample Provided By | http://www.vantecusa.com |
| Suggested Retail Price | $24.95 US |
For this review we tested the NXP-201-BK. It can control up to four fans and deliver 15 watts to 18 watts per channel; it is designed for use with the highest speed fans.
The NXP-201-BK is the one to the right of the package. As you can see, the NXP-201-BK does not include much beyond the cables and four screws for mounting it.
The NXP-201 mounts in a 5-¼ bay and offers two mounting holes on either side of the unit. The unit mounted in our test system with no problem, but where the unit must be rail-mounted with only one mounting hole the unit may not be very stable when mounted with only a single screw per side.