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For
years companies like AeroCool have strived to make access to your media
ports easier. At the same time they have helped you take control of your
cooling fans and monitor temperatures. Now they have combined the two
with their new "Cool Panel".
The
Cool Panel is a UNIVERSAL controller which means it will work with any
computers system out there, as long as the system actually has USB, SATA
and so on... Instead of the internal connectors connecting directly to
the motherboard, they simply run to the back of your system and plug
into your system's media ports. This can actually be a negative point
for those who wish to use their existing ports on the inside of their
case, but then again, AeroCool wanted the Cool Panel to work with any
system, and not all system have the required ports on the inside of the
system.
Specs and
Features
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Features
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System
requirement
|
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8 in 1 card reader
reads and write SM/SD/MMC/MS/MS-Pro/MS-Pro Duo/CF/MD
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Pentium
class PC with USB support
Windows 98SE, 2000, ME, XP
Windows 98/98SE
download driver |
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Monitors and
controls fan speeds and temperatures
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Adjustable alarm
temperature
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Warning alarm sounds
when overheating or abnormal conditions occur
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Allows you to choose
either Celsius or Fahrenheit
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Blue and red
backlight (Blue - normal / Red - overheating or abnormal
conditions occur)
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LCD animated fan
rotation
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Specification
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Dimensions: 148(W) x
42(H) x 70(D)
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Input voltage: +12V
, +5V
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Port
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Qty
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Port
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Qty
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Port
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Qty
|
|
Line in/Line out/Mic
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1
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SATA
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2
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MM card socket
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1
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USB
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2
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3-Pin connector
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2
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MS socket
|
1
|
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IEEE 1394
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1
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SM card socket
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1
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MS-Pro socket
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1
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Video
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1
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SD card socket
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1
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CF / MD card socket
|
1
|
|
 |
Inside
the box...
Lots of cables... Well, at
least they give you everything you need.
And more cables... Here
are the power cables that you hook to your fans. This is where you may
run into trouble as AeroCool only gives you 3-pin fan connectors and no
4-pin adapters.
Once powered up, the Cool
Panel really adds to the looks of your system. Remember, the Cool Panel
is available in black or silver. Just look at all those media ports at
your disposal.
Silver version of the Cool Panel. Perfect
for Lian Li or other silver cases.
Final
thoughts...
Installing the Cool Panel can be a little frustrating with all those
cable to rout, but since most of them are routed out the back of the
case, you can actually keep them in a nice bundle. As for the fan
control power cables and tem sensors, you're own your own there. Just
take your time and use lots of zip ties...
Over all, this is the most complete fan controller / media ports I have
ever seen. AeroCool has really done a great job here. The LCD screen is
a little hard to read at times, but if you made it any bigger it would
take up two bays. As for the price, I don't think $45 is asking too
much, especially after you look at what you get for the money. The Cool
Panel is a well made device housed in aluminum. With quality and value
on their side, the AeroCool Cool Panel is going to be tough to beat.
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Club
Overclocker Rating |
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Innovation: |
9.5
out of 10 |
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Performance: |
9.5 out of 10 |
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Quality: |
9.5 out of 10 |
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Stability: |
10 out of 10 |
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Overclocking: |
N/A |
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Software Pack: |
N/A |
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Value: |
9.5 out of 10 |
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Overall Rating 9.5 |
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Skill Level |
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Project Skill Level
(10 being hardest) |
2
out of 10 |
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