[O/C]Lamptron Touch Fan Controller Review

mdcomp · 10-14-10, 11:52 AM

Lamptron Touch Fan Controller Review
by Jeremy Vaughan (hokiealumnus)

Quote:

It has been a little while since Lamptron released their flagship, FC-5 fan controller (now known as the FC5V2, which fixes screen contrast issues). In the interim they did release the FC-6, which is just a lower wattage FC5V2. Now they have leaped forward a bit and are releasing the Touch, Lamptron’s first touch-screen controller.

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Discuss this article below. If you are interested in contributing to the front page (www.overclockers.com), please feel free to contact splat, mdcomp, or hokiealumnus. For the latest updates, follow Overclockers.com on Twitter (@Overclockerscom).

EarthDog · 10-14-10, 11:56 AM

Well buh bye FC6 I wanted, and hello Touch Fan controller!

Great review Hokie!

m0r7if3r · 10-14-10, 12:23 PM

Hermmmm...I like it!

Khan · 10-14-10, 09:19 PM

well, I was going to mod my sunbeam so the led's aren't so bright when I get my 800D, but man, this just solved all my problems about touch screens and them not having enough power for my deltas.

great review, nice to see a company working close with the enthusiast community to put out a good product.

MattNo5ss · 10-14-10, 11:27 PM

Good job as always hokie

I thought I'd mention that I get the same random RPM readings on my FC5V2.

hokiealumnus · 10-15-10, 12:23 AM

Thanks for the kind words!

MattNo5ss - Really? Huh...must be something they changed between the FC5 & FC5V2 b/c my FC5's readings are dead on with the same setup as before.

Does yours happen like this one? One strong fan is good but two throws it out of whack?

Mpegger · 10-15-10, 03:32 AM

One very important question that wasn't talked about in the article: noise.

I have a different model fan controller that, from the looks of it, appears to use the same method of controlling the voltage to the fans. It tends to make a very noticeable clicking noise from each circuit when it approaches the 60% and lower setting (I'm guessing its the transistor making the clicking sound). How does this controller fair with noise in that respect?

EarthDog · 10-15-10, 06:00 AM

My FC5(v1) was solid after I only used 1 RPM lead (not what this issue is, but figured Id mention it).

m0r7if3r · 10-15-10, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mpegger

One very important question that wasn't talked about in the article: noise.

I have a different model fan controller that, from the looks of it, appears to use the same method of controlling the voltage to the fans. It tends to make a very noticeable clicking noise from each circuit when it approaches the 60% and lower setting (I'm guessing its the transistor making the clicking sound). How does this controller fair with noise in that respect?

I'm highly doubtful the clicking is the transistor (as in, unless it's arcing it's not), typically that is the motor in the fan that will make the clicking. It's discussed a little here http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=223391

Mpegger · 10-15-10, 07:07 AM

No, trust me, its the controller itself, though I too am not sure if its the transistor. Each individual circuit will make the clicking sound when the voltage is lowered beyond a certain point, though one could also call it a buzzing, just like the recent Gigabyte X58 mobos and the inductors. It's definitely not the fans clicking. These Gentle Typhoons don't click like the Mechatronics when undervolted.

hokiealumnus · 10-15-10, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mpegger

One very important question that wasn't talked about in the article: noise.

I have a different model fan controller that, from the looks of it, appears to use the same method of controlling the voltage to the fans. It tends to make a very noticeable clicking noise from each circuit when it approaches the 60% and lower setting (I'm guessing its the transistor making the clicking sound). How does this controller fair with noise in that respect?

No noise out of this unit in the slightest. I've got 2x .65 A Panaflos on one channel and 3x .80 A Deltas on another in my case right now. Both are running as quiet as fans of their stature can at 42% (between five and six volts).

Likewise, when testing voltage regulation at 50% with the 4x .65 A Panaflos, all was well with no noise at all. That was outside a case too, so there's nothing that could have masked any sound if it were emanating from the controller.

m0r7if3r · 10-15-10, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mpegger

No, trust me, its the controller itself, though I too am not sure if its the transistor. Each individual circuit will make the clicking sound when the voltage is lowered beyond a certain point, though one could also call it a buzzing, just like the recent Gigabyte X58 mobos and the inductors. It's definitely not the fans clicking. These Gentle Typhoons don't click like the Mechatronics when undervolted.

heh

guess you gotta buy one of these doncha!

Mpegger · 10-15-10, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hokiealumnus

No noise out of this unit in the slightest. I've got 2x .65 A Panaflos on one channel and 3x .80 A Deltas on another in my case right now. Both are running as quiet as fans of their stature can at 42% (between five and six volts).

Likewise, when testing voltage regulation at 50% with the 4x .65 A Panaflos, all was well with no noise at all. That was outside a case too, so there's nothing that could have masked any sound if it were emanating from the controller.

What about memory? Does it retain settings between normal shut downs and/or power outage, as in a complete power loss?

adriantrances · 10-16-10, 05:39 AM

So what will be the MSRP on this?

nyker · 10-16-10, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adriantrances

So what will be the MSRP on this?

so how much is this technological marvel?

Spawne32 · 10-16-10, 02:32 PM

69.99

Spawne32 · 10-16-10, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mpegger

What about memory? Does it retain settings between normal shut downs and/or power outage, as in a complete power loss?

It will retain all settings, the unit uses an ARM processor and does have memory.

adriantrances · 10-16-10, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spawne32

69.99

+ shipping?

m0r7if3r · 10-16-10, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adriantrances

+ shipping?

depends on the retailer I assume...with the places this'll be sold, probably.

Spawne32 · 10-16-10, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adriantrances

+ shipping?

thats the MSRP, it may or may not be cheaper or more expensive depending on which store you purchase at.

10-14-10, 11:56 AM	#2
EarthDog Senior PITA Member Overclockers.com Editor Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Stuck in Maryland...	Well buh bye FC6 I wanted, and hello Touch Fan controller! Great review Hokie! __________________ Should I R0 my SSD? / Sandy/Ivybridge Overclocking Guide / Haswell Overclocking Guide / AMD Overclocking Guide / Power Supply Guide SSD Reliability/Write Endurance / JOIN THE BENCHING TEAM! / Bulldozer Overclocking Guide Want to see your writing featured on the overclockers.com Front Page? PM me, I can help! "We have more information and more ways of accessing it than ever, yet seem increasingly less inclined to do so."- Michael Wilbon
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10-14-10, 12:23 PM	#3
m0r7if3r Member Water Cooling Sticky Reading Enforcement Official Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Marietta, GA	Hermmmm...I like it! __________________ If years were seasons, this December would be the December of our December. -Abed #sixseasonsandamovie Heat
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10-14-10, 09:19 PM	#4
Khan Member Join Date: Dec 2006	well, I was going to mod my sunbeam so the led's aren't so bright when I get my 800D, but man, this just solved all my problems about touch screens and them not having enough power for my deltas. great review, nice to see a company working close with the enthusiast community to put out a good product. __________________ AMD PII 955BE @ 3.8 (C2) corsair dominator @1660 8-8-8-24 asus crosshair III formula asus EAH5770 x2 corsair HX750 750 watt PSU cooling: DD MC-TDX/black ice extreme III + delta AFB 1212SHE x3/2x EK 5770 water blocks/D5 variable speed pump.
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10-14-10, 11:27 PM	#5
MattNo5ss b4n4n4 dr4g0n d00m3d m0d3r4t0r Overclockers.com Editor Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: AL	Good job as always hokie I thought I'd mention that I get the same random RPM readings on my FC5V2. __________________ i7 3770K \| ASUS Maximus V Gene \| 4x2GB Dominator GT DDR3-1600 6-6-6-20 \| EVGA GTX780 SC ACX \| 256GB OCZ Vertex 4 \| SeaSonic X750 E8700/E6750/P4 631 \| Rampage Extreme & EP45T-Extreme & Commando \| DDR2 D9 or any DDR3 \| 1 of 20ish GPUs \| 50GB OCZ Vertex 2 \| SeaSonic SS-1000XP O/C Author Profile \| HWBot Profile \| Heatware (92-0-0) \m/ OverClockers mATX L33T Club \m/ Projects: Copper-Framed, MDF Station \| PVC-Framed, MDF Station \| Custom Cascade Cart/Case \| Untitled TJ07 Build
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10-15-10, 12:23 AM	#6
hokiealumnus Water Cooled Moderator Overclockers.com Lead Editor Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Raleigh, NC	Thanks for the kind words! MattNo5ss - Really? Huh...must be something they changed between the FC5 & FC5V2 b/c my FC5's readings are dead on with the same setup as before. Does yours happen like this one? One strong fan is good but two throws it out of whack? __________________ Enjoy benchmarks? Join the benching team! \| New to water cooling? Read the Beginner's Guide to Water Cooling Your PC. xsuperbgx - "As a wise man once said: "Less talky. More clocky."" \| cyberfish - "When overclocked, it's undefined behavior." I.M.O.G. - "Vaseline on Ivy Bridge is a bad idea. But not so bad of an idea that it can't be fixed with a torpedo heater, a dishwasher, an oven, and a few hours. " \m/ OverClockers mATX L33T Club \m/ - Join Now! - My mITX Build
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[O/C]Lamptron Touch Fan Controller Review

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10-15-10, 03:32 AM	#7
Mpegger Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NYC	One very important question that wasn't talked about in the article: noise. I have a different model fan controller that, from the looks of it, appears to use the same method of controlling the voltage to the fans. It tends to make a very noticeable clicking noise from each circuit when it approaches the 60% and lower setting (I'm guessing its the transistor making the clicking sound). How does this controller fair with noise in that respect? __________________ NZXT Switch 810 / Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD3R / i7 980x @ 3997x6, 4130x1 / 24GiB / 560Ti SLi ESXi server / i7-3770s / 32GiB / 16TB ZFS-z2 ----------------------------- [GB ≠ GiB] [MB ≠ MiB] [kB ≠ kiB] "Apparently, Plaintiff believes that he could sue an egg company for fraud for labeling a carton of 12 eggs a “dozen,” because some bakers would view a “dozen” as including 13 items." - Western Digital 2006 "One World, One Web, One Program" - Microsoft "Ein Volk, Ein Reich, Ein Führer" - Hitler (Microsucks) Avatar and quote on loan from AntmanMike Heatware
	QUOTE Thanks

10-15-10, 06:00 AM	#8
EarthDog Senior PITA Member Overclockers.com Editor Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Stuck in Maryland...	My FC5(v1) was solid after I only used 1 RPM lead (not what this issue is, but figured Id mention it). __________________ Should I R0 my SSD? / Sandy/Ivybridge Overclocking Guide / Haswell Overclocking Guide / AMD Overclocking Guide / Power Supply Guide SSD Reliability/Write Endurance / JOIN THE BENCHING TEAM! / Bulldozer Overclocking Guide Want to see your writing featured on the overclockers.com Front Page? PM me, I can help! "We have more information and more ways of accessing it than ever, yet seem increasingly less inclined to do so."- Michael Wilbon
	QUOTE Thanks

10-15-10, 07:07 AM	#10
Mpegger Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NYC	No, trust me, its the controller itself, though I too am not sure if its the transistor. Each individual circuit will make the clicking sound when the voltage is lowered beyond a certain point, though one could also call it a buzzing, just like the recent Gigabyte X58 mobos and the inductors. It's definitely not the fans clicking. These Gentle Typhoons don't click like the Mechatronics when undervolted. __________________ NZXT Switch 810 / Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD3R / i7 980x @ 3997x6, 4130x1 / 24GiB / 560Ti SLi ESXi server / i7-3770s / 32GiB / 16TB ZFS-z2 ----------------------------- [GB ≠ GiB] [MB ≠ MiB] [kB ≠ kiB] "Apparently, Plaintiff believes that he could sue an egg company for fraud for labeling a carton of 12 eggs a “dozen,” because some bakers would view a “dozen” as including 13 items." - Western Digital 2006 "One World, One Web, One Program" - Microsoft "Ein Volk, Ein Reich, Ein Führer" - Hitler (Microsucks) Avatar and quote on loan from AntmanMike Heatware
	QUOTE Thanks

10-16-10, 05:39 AM	#14
adriantrances Member Join Date: May 2010	So what will be the MSRP on this? __________________ Heatware
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10-16-10, 02:32 PM	#16
Spawne32 Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: NJ	69.99 __________________ Your friendly neighborhood Lamptron customer support representative.
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