Thermaltake Armor+ ESA Case Review

The ESA Module

As you know this case is compatible with ESA (Enthusiast Systems Architecture), an interface standard promoted by NVIDIA to monitor and control power supplies, cases, fans and water coolers. The rear and front fans that come with this case are connected to the ESA module, meaning that you can control and change their speed using NVIDIA ESA program. You can also attach liquid cooling systems and power supplies that are compatible with ESA to this module. Notice that the side fan isn’t ESA-compatible.

Figure 24: ESA module that comes installed on the upper 5.25” bay.

But what is really cool about this case is that it comes with two thermal sensors that you can install anywhere you want. The recommended places are the main hard disk drive and the GPU from your main video card, but we have a better suggestion. How about placing them on strategic spots inside the case where you can measure if the addition of an extra fan really decreased the temperature of your target component?

Figure 25: Thermal sensors and thermal tape that come with Armor+ ESA.

ESA is monitored and controlled through nForce control panel. You must have a motherboard based on nForce 680i, 780i, 790i or 780a chipsets to have this program running.

The ESA module must be connected to any USB header available on the motherboard.