Enermax 3.5" Thermal Monitor

Manufacturer: Enermax
Supplier: Sidewinder Computers
Price: $23 

By Dean Barker (6/5/2003)

Introduction

Thermal monitor panels have come a long way from the Comp-u-nurse types set in a plastic hard drive rack of only a couple of years ago.  The newer units offer everything from multiple rheostats to Firewire and USB 2.0 ports.  There are enough products out there to suit almost every taste or need.  Personally, I like straight forward units that don’t add too much extra wire to the inside of my case.  Having six rheostats is great except you have six x 18 inches or more of wire for each rheo which will give your case a jungle theme.  Enermax has put out a small 3.5” monitor panel that seems to fit a niche left out by the other multi-function thermal monitor panels currently available in both its size and simplicity.  Special thanks to Sidewinder Computers for making this review possible.  Let’s start out with the white paper.

Specifications

• Dimensions: 102 (w) x 25 (H) x 90mm (D)

• DC input: four-pin Molex

• Construction: Aluminum

• Connectors out: three-pin connector (x2)

• Number of Rheostats: 2

• LED Screen Size: 28(L) x 11mm (H)

• LED Lamps: 3 volt Blue LED (x2)

Removing the unit from the box we found the Enermax unit being of a fairly straight forward design.  The 3.5” bezel is brushed aluminum that will blend in perfectly with most any aluminum box. 

In rear of the Enermax Thermal Monitor were five wires: two thin tipped temperature probes, two three-pin power connectors providing power from the unit out and a male/female four-pin Molex connector providing power from the power supply to the unit.  The power out lines and temperature probes provide plenty of reach to get to most any spot in a standard sized case.  The probe leads measured approximately 38" and the three-pin lines measured approximately 20" in length.  The probes are of the thin tip variety.  These are the best, without argument, because they allow placement in tight spaces such as between the silicon of a processor and a heatsink so that the probe tip may touch the side of the processor core.  I would have like to have seen the probe wires be exposed for a few centimeters behind the tip rather than wrapped.  The exposed wire type of probes can be run between the CPU and the socket for temperature readings off the underside of the processor.

  

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