Multi-Function Panel Shootout - 2
Card Reader & LEDs
Both card readers’ boards holds the different card format slots soldered on both side of them. Two on top for Compact Flash and Memory Stick, and two underneath ( upside down position) for Smart Media, Secure Digital, and Multi Media Card. The board is directly connected to a mainboard's USB connector with a 4-pin plug that provides power and allows data to be read and written in each card reader. Finally, two LEDs of different colors indicates important states of the card reader: The green tells us that the board is powered and the red one that a card have been inserted in any of the 4 cards slot.
Plugs & fan control
This third board is the one that shows the highest number of differences between the two models. Both cards have plugs and voltage regulator (VR) on the front side and connectors on the back side. Let’s see first what is common:
Plugs and connectors
On both panel all backside pin headers are directly linked to the front panel plugs:
2 x USB 2.0
1 x IEEE1394
2 x SATA
The SUNBEAM 20-IN-1 is the only one that offers 3 audio ports (3.5mm stereo jack on front) for speakers or headphones, microphone, auxiliary and 1 RCA A/V port that can be used for many purposes like Video In or Out on a TV card. This makes difference is surely the biggest between the two panels and should have a high impact on many buyers’ decision.
Fan control cables.
If you plan to monitor and manually adjust fan speed (see Temp monitoring strategy) then be extra careful with the way you connect the fan with the ad hoc cables. The connector with 5 wires must go on the panel with the one with 2 wire should replace the fan connectore on the motherboad header. Remember that once you decide to monitor and adjust fan speed manually it is no longer under system’s control as shown in the BIOS picture.
Fan control
Both panels also offer the same way of controlling fan speed thank to two on board voltage regulators (VR) slightly different on each panel.
The SUNBEAM 20-IN-1 uses flat wheels that don’t protrude much from the panel. It’s sometime hard to find in the dark light and not always easy to move with precision.
The ENERMAX DELUXE UC-9FATR2 has another type of VR controlled by knobs with back blue LEDs which light emission vary with the fan speed level. To be clear, if the fan speed on knob 1 is minimum then light on knob 1 will be dim too and vice versa. The big knobs offer more precision and are very easy to find in any light environment but you may not forget the fact that they are protruding of 12mm (0.47in) and this can be an issue with some cases’ front door.
Mounting the panels.
The ideal way of proceeding would be to unplug every parts of the computer and to connect back all from start. The second way is connect the panel on top of what has been already done. This can be done without problem if you don’t have too many cables in the box or else you’re fit for a nice cable jam… Anyway don’t expect any indication on the time needed to mount both panels. It’s entirely based on the existing configuration, the type of case you own, the number of devices already connected, the way you want to proceed, and so forth…
Recommended mounting procedure
Make sure all jumpers are in place (see Temperature and fan monitoring for details).
Attach sliding rails on both side of the panel if your case uses this kind of attachment.
Make sure the sensors are well connected. If you don’t plan to use them soon just leave them tied up and don’t remove them. They don’t take much space and putting them back on the day you will change your mind could be tough. Attach the cables to the panel and think twice before leaving any useless cable alone. Things might change and you could end up reinstalling the whole for just one missing cable :(
On the ENERMAX DELUXE UC-9FATR2, you must also decide if you are going to connect USB and IEEE1394 internally or externally. This depends most on your motherboard possibilities: some may not offer any board connector for IEEE1394 and a limited numbers of USB connectors which might be already used by several USB brackets. In that last case you must consider getting rid of one bracket in order to connect the 2 USB front header (9-pin plug) and the USB Card reader header (4-pin plug).
Insert all cables in the empty drive bay and make sure you can grab them all inside the case.
Install the L-type bracket and insert in its hole the cables that are supposed to be connected on the motherboard plug panel.
Connect all the cables inside and outside the case
Install the sensors wherever you which to. Use the provided tape for attaching them on a cleaned place (see Temp monitoring strategy below)
Once you can see all cable inside the case then check all connection to the panel and connect all the cables
Check all connection on both ends and make a test run before attaching the panel on the chassis. Here is the recommended checking procedure:
Press reset
Short beep at startup?
Backlight on the panel?
Backlight on fan knobs (ENERMAX DELUXE UC-9FATR2 only)?
Green card reader LED on?
Red card reader LED on when inserting a memory card in any of the card reader slot?
Connections working? (test them one by one)
Fan speed on displayed on mode 1?
Temp displayed on mode 1?
Fan speed on displayed on mode 2?
Temp displayed on mode 2?
If anything does not work the check carefully the connection and check again.
Once you are sure of all connection then gently push the panel to its final position and screw it if you are not using sliding rails. Now you can arrange the wire mess inside the case using the cable ties supplied with both panels.
|
