Zalman ZM-MFC1 Combo Fan Controller Review

Conclusions

MFC1 Combo is a classic fan controller, with "old school" potentiometers. In our opinion, this is not a flaw: with potentiometers the user has an easier and more intuitive way to adjust the fans in his computer than with programmable touchscreen panels. Simplicity, here, is a plus: if you want your computer to stay as cool as possible, you just need to turn the potentiometers to the maximum. If you want silence, you just turn them to the minimum.

This simplicity is even more evident on the channel that supports PWM (pulse width modulation) fans.

However, the big "problem" with Zalman ZM-MFC1 Combo fan controller is that it is just a fan controller, unlike Aerocool Touch-2000 and NZXT Sentry 2 that come with temperature sensors and displays. Another two
flaws are the absense of standard peripheral power connectors ("Molex") for use with fans that use this kind of connector (most cases come with fans using this type of connector) and the impossibility of totally turning off a fan.

One can say that the lack of e-SATA, USB and FireWire ports is a flaw, but keep in mind we are talking about a fan controller, not a multifuncion panel.

Zalman ZM-MFC1 Combo is a good product that nicely fulfill its function: to control fans. It is effective, its looks is nice, the installation is easy and the construction quality is very good. It receives our Silver Award and not the Golden one just because it is a little bit expensive for a product with no extra features.