Ice Ice Baby

If you couldn't tell, I'm part of the hardware camp. I like my toys on display and this is a perfect show off piece for any serious case builder.

So, after the initial de-boxing I slip it into my GIGABYTE case and hook it all up with the following configuration:

Two fans in the rear.

One fan in front.

One CPU fan.

One GPU fan.

The two rear fans are no problem to hook up, and the same goes for the front; they are standard 3-pin fan connectors that you can plug into your motherboard.

The CPU fan proved troublesome, as it used a 4-pin fan connector and would not fit in the 3-pin adapters on this NZXT unit. So, it remains tethered to the motherboard.

Again for the GPU fan; a small 2-pin header that is incompatible with the 3 pin adapters means that I'm resigned to only controlling my case fans with this unit.

The thermistors are easier; they don't attach to anything and you just "place" them where you want to measure the temperature. Though sometimes they won't always stay and need a bit of persuasion in the form of electrical tape. Most are happy to sit around the heat generators of the system, however.

One on the CPU (only inside the heat sink, will not report core temperatures).

One on the GPU (again on the heat sink, so no core temperatures).

One on the Northbridge.

One on the case intake fan.

One on the case outflow.

Now, you have to be careful as to which thermistors you put where. The reason for this is that when in AUTO mode, the fan controller will adjust the fan speed based on the same number thermistor. I have the intake and outflow fans attached to thermistors that are on the CPU and Northbridge. By doing it this way, when the heat in that section ramps up the case will cycle cooler air in and out to compensate.