The Power Supply Unit (PSU)
The ICS 8200 has its own PSU and this latter is quite impressive. This model is a 460 Watt ATX 2.0 with two independent 12V output rail that guarantees an excellent stability. Also produce by Sytrin this PSU is fully sleeved which is rather rare when bundled with a case. It has 2 fans that are automatically regulated with no possibility to interfere.
The PSU has more plugs than necessary. This includes SATA, PCI-Express connector, Fan monitor which connect to the front panel for proper control of the PSU fans speed.
Each wire is long enough to easily reach any part of the case which is a very good point.
The board power supply is up to date with the traditional 20-pin and the extra 12V 4-pin that insures power stability to the processor and allows fitting either 20- or 24-pin board plug.
Of course, the PSU can be change with any other PSU of the market as long as a minimum of 350W is available but be aware that finding better power supply than the one supplier with the case isn’t going to be economical…
Sensors
The ICS 8200 Midi is using fours sensors to control temperatures in all part of the case to provide the best cooling possible. There are placed like this
- Tamb Ambient temperature of the room (the one on the air intake picture)
- AirCon placed on the peltier device to provide the cooling temperature when A/C is in use
- Tsys System temperature. You are free to put this one wherever you this it will report the most accurate internal case temperature. A good place can be on top where it is generally hotter
- T2 another sensor you are free to use on any sensitive part. That can be the chipset, hard disk, or another location of the case you wish to monitor. In our case, we have stuck this one on the master hard disk drive.
Those sensors are directly connected to the font panel where their respective rtemperature is displayed in real-time (except the A/C one which ask the A/C to be on) and where the brain is regulating PSU fans and A/C to ensure the best cooling needed.
Once all is in place, then we have to close the case and start the engine to test the cooling features.
First bad surprise is the overall noise. The main culprit is the rear 92mm Sunon fan that is way to noisy to our taste to the point we have it exchanged with a Papst equivalent. Once this is done, the sound level is much bearable and we can now enjoy a much quieter testing…
A push on the power on button does start the PC but has no effect on the top temp panel and power meter. These two have to be put on separately which is, on the long run, a bit boring. Sytrin would be inspired to set a default position that would allow to start the panel as well as the PC.
When on, the cooling display is on, then we’re in for a big satisfaction. The light is soft and the blue glow is very classy. All information are very readable in any light conditions.
Access to page 3 of Nextherm ICS 8200 review |
