Zalman ZM-MFC2 Multi Fan Controller Review

The ZM-MFC2 Multi Fan Controller has changed with the times, and is a vast improvement over the previous model.  This fan bus has a digital interface, digital readout, and high contrast LCD that really makes your case hard to overlook.  In addition to the useful fan bus, you also get a real-time gauge of your computer’s power consumption.  Unfortunately, the power consumption measured is the electricity used from the wall outlet, and not what your power supply is outputting… which is helpful when calculating your power supply’s efficiency.

Overall this product is a mix of extreme highs and extreme lows, which yield a very average product.  On one hand you get great functionality and killer visuals, and the fanbus is an extreme improvement over their previous version.  On the other hand the display is downright unreadable.

If you need a great fanbus, then this is one to look at, but if you’re going to be constantly adjusting your fans, then you might want to look for one you can actually read.  Installation can take a long time (if you do it properly), and the viewing angle of the LCD is impossible to read except from a straight-on angle.  Being able to adjust the display’s brightness would help immensely.

	REPORT CARD : Zalman ZM-MFC2 Multi Fan Controller category rating comments Quality 3 Cables are average, main unit well built, but extremely limited view angle Innovation 4 Would be perfect if they’d fix the readability Performance 4 Could use an “automatic” mode, tuning fans is problematic Installation 3 You’ll spend lots of frustrating hours snaking cables through your case, but this kit tries to make it as pain-free as possible Value 3 $60 is a decent price for the bells and whistles, but what good is it if you can’t read it? FINAL VERDICT: 3 out of 5 stars