Temperature probes:
The Hardcano 12 comes with four temperature probes, all neatly labeled T1-T4. The probes have a semi-flexible tip and are similar to the CompuNurse Advanced probe. The length
of the wires ensures that the probes will be able to reach almost anywhere in a standard mid-tower ATX case. If you have a full tower case and want to reach the
extreme opposite corner from where the Hardcano 12 is, you might run into some problems, but for most users, the length is fine.
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| (11) Temperature probes |
Control interface:
The Hardcano 12 has two sets of buttons on the front. The first set is (clockwise from top) Mode, +, °C/°F, and -. The Mode button switches the fan control mode from
Automatic to Manual. This is one of the key selling points of the Hardcano 12. Each of the four fans connected to the Hardcano 12 is interfaced with one of the
four thermal probes. For example, you could have a thermal probe on the back of your graphics card, and the GPU fan connected to the Hardcano 12. When in
Automatic mode, the Hardcano 12 automatically scales the GPU fan voltage depending on the temperature it receives from the thermal probe. Depending on
what you have the alarm temperature set at (40C, 50C, 60C, or 70C) the Hardcano 12 will scale the fan voltage accordingly, from as low as 50% up to 100%. This
keeps your computer quiet while idle, and utilizes your cooling when you really need it. I found this feature to be fantastic in my test computer setup. I had
one probe / fan pair connected to my graphics card fan, one pair connected to my CPU fan, one pair connected to my power supply fan, and one pair connected to my
top exhaust fan. I could not have been happier with the results; quiet computing when surfing the internet and doing basic tasks, and then the fans automatically
kicked themselves up a notch when I played Need For Speed: Underground. The main feature of the Hardcano 12, in my mind, is a complete success. The + and - allow
you to change the fan speed when it is on manual mode.
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| (12) Left side controls |
(13) Right side controls |
The right side controls are (clockwise from top) Fan1/T1, Fan2/T2, Fan3/T3, Fan4/T4, and Alarm. Pressing each of these cycles through the display options.
When you press "Fan1/T1", it will display Fan 1's RPM, T1's temperature (°C or °F depending on your choice) as well as the alarm temperature setting. Each fan
and probe combination can have their own alarm settings, so your CPU can have its alarm at 60°C while your graphics card can have its alarm at 40°C. This is
yet another useful feature.
Installation:
The Hardcano 12 is incredibly easy to install. It has a series of mounting holes on each side, so those of you with cases that require rails for the 5.25" drives,
installation will not be a problem. Once the unit was in the drive bay, I used the included tape to mount the thermal probes in various locations, and connect
the corresponding fans to the Hardcano 12. My CPU fan and graphics card fan both had RPM sensors, while my power supply fan and exhaust fan did not (those two
showed up as 0000RPM on the display). The wire mess was very contained, and I was able to keep the insides of my case fairly organized.
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| (14) Overall case shot |
(15) Closer unit shot |
Once turned on, the LCD with the blue EL backlight looks very sharp. I was initially worried that the black would not match with my silver Lian-Li case,
but after installing the Hardcano 12, I noticed that it matched the carbon fiber edging along the top, and the silver buttons drew it all together. The Hardcano
12 looks best in a silver or black case, but those of you with unpainted or non-stealthed CD-ROM drives most likely won't care (my CD-RW and DVD drives are
both stealthed). The display is very easy to read, and the lettering is very crisp.
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| (16) Corner |
(17) Close on display |
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| (18) Overall bay with unit installed |
Conclusion:
The Thermaltake Hardcano 12 has proved itself worthy across the board. I was very skeptical when I first learned about the multi-function fan controller; $65 to control your
fans when you can get a cheap rheobus for $20? The features and finesse of the Hardcano 12 won me over; everything from the cable sleeving to the labeled
wiring to the full color instruction booklet, and the amazing features. Overall, I'd have to say that the price for the Hardcano 12 is justified, if not slightly
under-priced. The automatic fan control was very smart, and did a superb job of keeping the fans at the right noise level. The probes allowed me to keep tabs on
areas in my computer that are otherwise inaccessible, and the coordination between the probes and the fans and the display is top notch.
Pros:
- Attractive face plate that matches the major color schemes
- Bright blue backlight and crisp LCD display
- Excellent instructions with color pictures
- Labeled and sleeved wiring
- Easy but powerful fan control interface
Cons:
- Price may be too high for some
- Backlight can't be turned on/off (eventual dimming over time)
Closing:
I'd like to thank Nick at CrazyPC for supplying us with the
Thermaltake Hardcano 12 for review. The CrazyPC price for the Hardcano 12 is on the
lower end compared to the other resellers out there right now, so grab it if you have the cash to spare.
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