Card reader/temp monitor

[mycarsavw]

I said I'd only join to get some feedback and info and now I'm hooked!

This is a link to my build thread. Now that I have the parts sitting at home awaiting construction I'm starting to realise all the other bits I can potentially add.

I'd like to monitor internal temperatures on the case itself rather than the desktop and I'd also like to add a card reader, mainly for use with a few digicams, mobile phones and satnav systems.

I've done a bit of searching and found the Akasa Allinone (link to product @ Scan). Other than the obvious duplication of ports (my case has the bulk of the connections on the front/side already) will the case door close over the top of this?

Obviously having a stealthy looking case has its drawbacks and I'll either have to leave the door off or keep it open when I'm using the machine but is the Allinone overkill?

I know you can buy external card readers (suggested brand?) but is there such a thing as an externally mounted temperature monitor?

Thanks again for any help - I think I'm addicted

[mycarsavw]

Shameless self bumpage.

I'll also throw in the following controllers

Thermaltake HardCano 13

AeroCool CoolPanel 2

Both have fan controllers, card readers and a lot fewer ports than the Allinone (less wires etc). The AeroCool has a removable card reader.

Any thoughts?

[FInalD]

The AllInOne is a nice piece of kit, it sticks out about 3mm further than a standard 5.25 drive due to it's curved shape. I'd have thought that there is space inside that case to mount the AllInOne fine, but whilst in use you'll have to have it open as the flap drops down.

I have it in a LianLi PC7+II and it looks lovely and is really helpful.

If you don't like the fact that it doubles up the ports that the case has, remove the ones that the case has, simple, as the ALlInOne is a lot more helpful.

FinalD

[BUFF]

I usually fit a mitsumi 404 combined floppy/card reader.
That would let you choose from a far wider range of fan controller/displays.

[mycarsavw]

The AllInOne is a nice piece of kit, it sticks out about 3mm further than a standard 5.25 drive due to it's curved shape. I'd have thought that there is space inside that case to mount the AllInOne fine, but whilst in use you'll have to have it open as the flap drops down.

I have it in a LianLi PC7+II and it looks lovely and is really helpful.

If you don't like the fact that it doubles up the ports that the case has, remove the ones that the case has, simple, as the ALlInOne is a lot more helpful.

FinalD

Thanks, 3mm is nothing and should easily be covered by the door when not in use.

I don't suppose you have a real-world picture of the unit's rear end () I've read tales of woe about the sheer bulk of wires that come out of it.

I usually fit a mitsumi 404 combined floppy/card reader.
That would let you choose from a far wider range of fan controller/displays.

It would, but I have no need for a floppy drive (famous last words). I like the idea of one sleek unit too. I may be wrong in my thinking though.

[mycarsavw]

Any other thoughts?

[Flewis]

The Coolermaster cooldrive 6 is a hard drive cooler but it has control for 3 case fans (+fan in cooler) and temperature sensor. Has small display on the front too. Only £13 on scan.

[FInalD]

Google is your friend.

It is a bit of a mess of wires at the back, but it isn't to hard to cable tidy them out of the way behind motherboards etc.

I think it's something like 3mm, it certainly isn't much and will easily allow a door to close over it, I can't measure it right now as it's about 150miles away from me (it's in my uni PC and I'm at home).

I hope that picture helps, it shows all of the parts where cables plug in, so gives you an idea as to how many come out the back of it. The temp sensor ones I seem to remember are permenantly fix to it, but it's been about 6 months since I looked at the back of mine.

FinalD

[mycarsavw]

To tie up this thread and hopefully help others in the future I've decided to go at this in a totally different way - no disrespect meant to the above participants as I took on board everything that was said/typed.

I realised the fans I planned to control were of the 4 pin molex variety and would require a lot of work (in my eyes) to get them working as they should with a fan controller.

I did lots of research and decided to change my case fans to the 3 pin variety, add a dedicated card reader and a separate fan controller.

I ended up going for 2 replacement Xilence case fans (one 120mm, one 80mm), an Akasa card reader (@ OcUK) and a Scythe digital fan controller (@ OcUK)

If anyone cares, I'll report back when I have a chance to fit them.

It's very addictive this PC lark

[mycarsavw]

Order placed 1630ish Friday afternoon.

Signed for 12ish Monday morning.

Thumbs up for OcUK.