BitFenix Hydra Pro Fan Controller Review

tinytomlogan

The Guvnor
Staff member
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Able to handle 30W and control 5 channels, the Hydra Pro forms part of the new range of fan controllers from BitFenix

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I have one of those. Cheap, simple and sturdy enough. I've used it for a moth or so. No problems, works as advertised.
 
Looks good to me - I was in the market for a fan controller with at least 4x 20w channels. I ended up getting the Lamptron touch which I really like but it is nice to have more alternatives and this looks good at a much lower price.
 
haha it did make me giggle that, we do like to jest the newbies :P you'll be able to soon :)

The spell checker isn't smart enough to know what I mean :)

Anyway, the fan controller is a steal for the price. Sure, no fancy functions, but basic good ones. It can handle one of those monster 1,6 amp Delta fans just fine.
 
I have one question on this as I contemplate my new build. Hopefully someone will have an idea...

Will be using a NZXT Switch 810 White. So, I have the issue of the front fan on my 360 rad being blocked by the plate in the 5.25" cage (As TTL shows in his review). I am planning to dremel out a bit of that to allow unrestricted airflow. But, with this fan controller, I wonder if it would fit in that 5.25 bay partially taken up by the rad and fan. Then just tuke all the wires in behind. I am wondering if the PCB board and connectors would have enough space. Be great use of that bay.

Thanks,
Whaler
 
I have one question on this as I contemplate my new build. Hopefully someone will have an idea...

Will be using a NZXT Switch 810 White. So, I have the issue of the front fan on my 360 rad being blocked by the plate in the 5.25" cage (As TTL shows in his review). I am planning to dremel out a bit of that to allow unrestricted airflow. But, with this fan controller, I wonder if it would fit in that 5.25 bay partially taken up by the rad and fan. Then just tuke all the wires in behind. I am wondering if the PCB board and connectors would have enough space. Be great use of that bay.

Thanks,
Whaler
Yea that would work - I have the lamptron touch which looks like it has a very similar profile. You should have 1-2" spare behind the fan controller's PCB to fiddle with wires. It will be a little bit tight to work with the wires whilst the radiator is in but I think it would work.
 
Yea that would work - I have the lamptron touch which looks like it has a very similar profile. You should have 1-2" spare behind the fan controller's PCB to fiddle with wires. It will be a little bit tight to work with the wires whilst the radiator is in but I think it would work.

Thanks very much for the info!

Whaler
 
Simple & Powerful

This is very similar to the NZXT Sentry Mesh that I have installed in my 400R - same 30w specs, # of channels, and price. If it works as well as the Mesh, the Hydra should be a solid value and good enough for 95% of systems with multiple fans. I only wish that they both came with a double handful of splitters so you can use the full potential of the design. As it stands, you're only able to use 1 fan per channel, and each channel can easily handle 4 to 12 fans (typical .25 amps (Corsair AF-120 Perf. Series). So thats 12 of Corsair's highest flow/static pressure fans on each channel (.25a x 12 = 3a - each channel handles 3.75a). That's a (theoretical) total of 60 fans! Yes, I'd say these are good for large water cooling setups.
 
I only wish that they both came with a double handful of splitters so you can use the full potential of the design. As it stands, you're only able to use 1 fan per channel, and each channel can easily handle 4 to 12 fans (typical .25 amps (Corsair AF-120 Perf. Series). So thats 12 of Corsair's highest flow/static pressure fans on each channel (.25a x 12 = 3a - each channel handles 3.75a). That's a (theoretical) total of 60 fans! Yes, I'd say these are good for large water cooling setups.
http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop...-to-6-x-3-Pin-Fan-Cable--Black-pid-11831.html

:D
 
Thanks!

Thanks for the link, these look like high quality, and the 6-into-1 is perfect for 360/420 rads in push/pull. Never saw more than 4-into-1 before this. I am now using 2 of the cheap unsleeved 2-into-1 kind that look like they could short against something if you're not careful (all that's available locally). I will order some online soon and get my rig looking a little cleaner. Thanks again!
 
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