14 DAY TRIAL // Fan controllers are not a piece of hardware you would frequently stumble upon. They are the improved alternative to the manual fan controllers and are designed to adjust the fan speed in order to deliver a pre-set temperature. Fan controllers are complicated creatures and the last successful attempt at building them dates back in 2001 when the Digidoc made an extremely pleasant appearance, despite its basic flaws.
It took long enough for Zalman, the cooling expert to strike back and claim their territory. Finally, they announced the ZM-MFC2 fan controller, a state-of-the-art device that addresses mostly enthusiasts and overclockers. Based on the ZM-MFC1, the manufacturer has added extra functionality, as well as an improved look that renders the user unable to decide whether there is a led panel or a car stereo installed in front of your computer.
Zalman made the product suitable for universal needs, regardless of whether you are using 3-pin or 4-pin fans. Moreover, inside the package, you would find even pass-through cables to trick the motherboards refusing to boot without a plugged-in fan. The system is based on four thermal probes that are used to report interior temperatures and adjust the fan speeds accordingly.
Another worth-mentioning gadget included in the package is the Power Source Unit monitor that plugs into the wall outlet and in the power source line. The device monitors and displays the overall power consumption for the power source - a novelty in the world of monitoring solutions.
Back to the design, the layout leaves no objection, with power meters, fan speeds and temperatures that feature small animations showing you the active fans. The whole unit gives the feeling of a professional system, not to mention that it is actually useful as compared to the manual fan adjustments.
There is one problem, though, as there is a limited amount of units on the market. Zalman encounters troubles in mass production, because the manufacturing process is extremely complicated, and the components aren't quite cheap. But it's worth the headache, given the improvements in functionality and design the enthusiast may achieve.
