Computer Case Accessories

Forums › Desktop computing › Computer Case Accessories — Are They Naf?

TLD

902 posts

Ultimate Geek

#223794 17-Oct-2017 18:02

I'm almost embarrassed to ask this, but I have got a case of 'shiny thing, my precious' over this touch screen fan controller that sits in a 5.25 bay. I mean I wouldn't dream of adding RGB enhanced components to a build, and I kind of know I like this more from a bling point of view, than because of its functionality. It's cheap as chips as well, which is making it irrisistable.

But would you put something like this in your computer case? Or is it totally naff?

https://www.nzxt.com/products/sentry-3

Trevor Dennis
Rapaura (near Blenheim)

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#1885243 17-Oct-2017 18:23

Totally.

Sideface

richms

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#1885247 17-Oct-2017 18:33

lose motherboard control of them with those things making them worse than useless IMO.

Richard rich.ms

TLD

902 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1885302 17-Oct-2017 21:35

richms:

lose motherboard control of them with those things making them worse than useless IMO.

So use them disconnected to the fans so you just have the flashing lights? You are actually making a good point. You stand a good chance of the MB drivers and the NZXT gizmo fighting each other and it all going pear shapped. I mean how can you trust an American company that misuses the New Zealand initials in a stylized affectation of a name?

Trevor Dennis
Rapaura (near Blenheim)

PsychoSmiley

250 posts

Master Geek

#1885529 18-Oct-2017 10:12

External controllers (and accessories) have a place. For regular builds you can get away with mobo headers for fan controls, but if you run something larger you may want something to manage all the fans better anyway as you wouldn't have enough headers to fit all the fans.

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Rickles

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#1885569 18-Oct-2017 11:10

If it looks pretty .....

TLD

902 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1885673 18-Oct-2017 12:51

PsychoSmiley:

External controllers (and accessories) have a place. For regular builds you can get away with mobo headers for fan controls, but if you run something larger you may want something to manage all the fans better anyway as you wouldn't have enough headers to fit all the fans.

That has made me think of other complications. The Cosmos II already has fan controllers up by the Power switch. Quite a lot of them in fact (the coloured leads in this image are all fan connections leading to the case controller)

So would it even be possible to use case and after market controller? And why would you want to? Well the answer to that is that the latter has a good bling factor and actual feedback of system temperatures, but you could almost as easily use the case controller together with an app like Speccy. And you'l only need to set it up the once, and maybe some auto alarms for when temperatures creep up because of dust ingress. It always amazes me how clogged the case filters can get.

Trevor Dennis
Rapaura (near Blenheim)

MaxLV

656 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1886008 19-Oct-2017 00:07

TLD:

I'm almost embarrassed to ask this, but I have got a case of 'shiny thing, my precious' over this touch screen fan controller that sits in a 5.25 bay. I mean I wouldn't dream of adding RGB enhanced components to a build, and I kind of know I like this more from a bling point of view, than because of its functionality. It's cheap as chips as well, which is making it irrisistable.

But would you put something like this in your computer case? Or is it totally naff?

https://www.nzxt.com/products/sentry-3

Something like this?

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MikeAqua

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#1886047 19-Oct-2017 08:51

If bling makes you smile, do it ... it's your money and what everyone else thinks is not a valid reason to give you pause.

Functional issues like messing with the cooling control would give me pause.

Mike

richms

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#1886049 19-Oct-2017 08:54

Im the opposite really. If I could by a full size ATX case with zero drive bays I would probably do that. Let me mount the SSDs to the bottom or back of the mobo tray and make the thing just deep enough for a video card. All that metal at the front remains empty on all my desktop PCs, just a whole lot of blank cover plates looking sad and lonely.

Richard rich.ms

Mistenfuru

198 posts

Master Geek

#1886058 19-Oct-2017 09:13

Definitely!

But then again, I'm a gamer that likes to keep decent control over my Fans and cooling... (The Mobo does this, but tends to respond slower than I'd like to temp increases)

So in review: I'd recommend it if you're doing things like video processing, Mining, or gaming and want better control over your peripherals. If you don't then it's just a flashy addition to your case, and that decision lies entirely in your personal preferences!

Mistenfuru

198 posts

Master Geek

#1886059 19-Oct-2017 09:14

richms:

Im the opposite really. If I could by a full size ATX case with zero drive bays I would probably do that. Let me mount the SSDs to the bottom or back of the mobo tray and make the thing just deep enough for a video card. All that metal at the front remains empty on all my desktop PCs, just a whole lot of blank cover plates looking sad and lonely.

The NZXT H440 is great for this, full-size ATX with all the features you're wanting (including a nice flush fronted case).

https://www.nzxt.com/product-overview/h440

TLD

902 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1886139 19-Oct-2017 10:55

Mistenfuru:

The NZXT H440 is great for this, full-size ATX with all the features you're wanting (including a nice flush fronted case).

https://www.nzxt.com/product-overview/h440

I used to have a case where the front USB sockets were vertical. The problem was that it sat in the cubby under the central desk draw, and if I forgot there was a drive in a front socket and opened the desk draw... I only did it once, but it broke the flash drive. I've pretty much settled on using the Cooler Master Cosmos II. It's big and heavy, which has turned out to be a benefit as it is forcing me to modify the desk.

At the moment I can only open the right hand draws about 100mm because they hit my wife's desk, which is at an angle to mine. So I'll take the right hand draws out completely, and put the big case where the draws used to be. I've had to make new legs to support the desk on that side, and a hanger for the central desk draw that currently slides on rails attached to the outside draw units. It's stuff like that, that makes belonging to a Menz Shed worthwhile . I'll block in the gap between the two desks, and fit a fan to pull hot air up from under the desk, thus pulling cooler air from the room into the case. Almost a win/win, with the downside being an increased dust problem — but the case is going to be a lot more accessible to clean the filters.

BTW Do any of you guys avoid siting your computer towers on carpet? I'm embarrassed to say that my Storm Trooper case does sit on carpet, and there is only 15mm (ish) beneath the case, and yes it does get mucky inside the case. The new case has long handles that will lift it off the floor by 25mm, judging by the pictures.

Trevor Dennis
Rapaura (near Blenheim)

Mistenfuru

198 posts

Master Geek

#1886170 19-Oct-2017 11:25

BTW Do any of you guys avoid siting your computer towers on carpet? I'm embarrassed to say that my Storm Trooper case does sit on carpet, and there is only 15mm (ish) beneath the case, and yes it does get mucky inside the case. The new case has long handles that will lift it off the floor by 25mm, judging by the pictures.

I definitely recommend against it, although that is based on most cases having a downwards facing inlet and it tends to drag more dust and create more insulation. If your case does not then you might be alright (it would definitely reduce noise).

gehenna

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#1886173 19-Oct-2017 11:27

Looks like an awful old Pioneer car stereo head unit from the 90s.

richms

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#1886174 19-Oct-2017 11:30

I put a shelf on my desk to hold the tower. Boards from Bunnings in black laminated mdf and some little black shelf brackets. Will try to remember to get pics when home.

Richard rich.ms

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