Page 1: Introduction
<B>Introduction :</B>
I just returned from a vacation to Houston. While there I took the opportunity to visit the <a href="http://www.directron.com">Directron</a> showroom and pick up a few items I wanted to test. I hope you will find the first item I will write about as interesting as I did in trying it out.
<B>What Is This Package :</B>
This item is from the LIAN LI Aluminum Products Series, a Model: T-4 LCD Thermometer. This model has dual LCDs and this particular unit displays in Fahrenheit (note the small F beside the temperature display of the mounted unit photo below).
<center><img src="/~nivram/liandsp.jpg">LIAN LI LCD Thermometer Model: T-4</center>
The photo below shows the package you will receive upon ordering on the left. In the middle is an image of the instructions for the unit. On the upper right is the back side view of the panel with the white plastic strips removed from the battery socket and also shows the brown paper tape you can use in attaching the thermal probe to the desired monitoring point. On the bottom right is the plastic bag containing two screws to mount the panel in a 5 1/4 bay and pre-printed stick-on markers for the panel front.
<center><img src="/~nivram/lianpkg.jpg">Package & Contents</center>
The Model T-4 uses a battery to power each LCD, which makes the unit even more appealing as the fewer the wires inside the case the better. The panel is made of aluminum and a good looking addition to any case, but also makes it easier for modders to paint.
<B>Watch Those Temps :</B>
I decided to mount the two probes on the sides near the nozzles of my water block. I wanted to read the in/out flow temperatures. This required removal of the water block to attach the two probes using the provided paper tape (it was too difficult to attach them properly otherwise). The reading on the right is the inflow and the left the outflow temperature.
<center><img src="/~nivram/panel.jpg">Mounted Panel Display</center>
I was very surprised when I noted a nominal low of 2° (idle) up to 4° (when doing fairly heavy processing) temperature difference on the panel. I would have thought a greater temperature differential between the two probes. Then I realized that with almost 5gpm pumping through my water cooler the temperatures would stay fairly even.
Comparing the 90° F outflow LCD to the 114°F motherboard monitor program for the CPU temperature readings, it is easy to see that I have a lot more potential of CPU temperature reduction. I guess it is getting closer to the time to get a chipset water block to add to my water cooler system. (Please note that my readings changed over the day and these measurements are from an hours test time.)
<B>Conclusion :</B>
Available in black or silver panel colors; Celsius or Fahrenheit measurement displays; detecting from -40° to 90° C or -40° to 194° F; the LIAN LI Temperature Monitor will add a bit of style to any computer. For anyone wanting a visual display to quickly check those computer temperatures this unit is a definite addition.
I also noticed that the probes are very sensitive, as a slight change in environment would cause a rapid change in display readings. So be careful of the placement to keep other hot points from affecting your readings. Check out the availably of the different models at <a href="http://www.directron.com">Directro
I just returned from a vacation to Houston. While there I took the opportunity to visit the <a href="http://www.directron.com">Directron</a> showroom and pick up a few items I wanted to test. I hope you will find the first item I will write about as interesting as I did in trying it out.
<B>What Is This Package :</B>
This item is from the LIAN LI Aluminum Products Series, a Model: T-4 LCD Thermometer. This model has dual LCDs and this particular unit displays in Fahrenheit (note the small F beside the temperature display of the mounted unit photo below).
<center><img src="/~nivram/liandsp.jpg">LIAN LI LCD Thermometer Model: T-4</center>
The photo below shows the package you will receive upon ordering on the left. In the middle is an image of the instructions for the unit. On the upper right is the back side view of the panel with the white plastic strips removed from the battery socket and also shows the brown paper tape you can use in attaching the thermal probe to the desired monitoring point. On the bottom right is the plastic bag containing two screws to mount the panel in a 5 1/4 bay and pre-printed stick-on markers for the panel front.
<center><img src="/~nivram/lianpkg.jpg">Package & Contents</center>
The Model T-4 uses a battery to power each LCD, which makes the unit even more appealing as the fewer the wires inside the case the better. The panel is made of aluminum and a good looking addition to any case, but also makes it easier for modders to paint.
<B>Watch Those Temps :</B>
I decided to mount the two probes on the sides near the nozzles of my water block. I wanted to read the in/out flow temperatures. This required removal of the water block to attach the two probes using the provided paper tape (it was too difficult to attach them properly otherwise). The reading on the right is the inflow and the left the outflow temperature.
<center><img src="/~nivram/panel.jpg">Mounted Panel Display</center>
I was very surprised when I noted a nominal low of 2° (idle) up to 4° (when doing fairly heavy processing) temperature difference on the panel. I would have thought a greater temperature differential between the two probes. Then I realized that with almost 5gpm pumping through my water cooler the temperatures would stay fairly even.
Comparing the 90° F outflow LCD to the 114°F motherboard monitor program for the CPU temperature readings, it is easy to see that I have a lot more potential of CPU temperature reduction. I guess it is getting closer to the time to get a chipset water block to add to my water cooler system. (Please note that my readings changed over the day and these measurements are from an hours test time.)
<B>Conclusion :</B>
Available in black or silver panel colors; Celsius or Fahrenheit measurement displays; detecting from -40° to 90° C or -40° to 194° F; the LIAN LI Temperature Monitor will add a bit of style to any computer. For anyone wanting a visual display to quickly check those computer temperatures this unit is a definite addition.
I also noticed that the probes are very sensitive, as a slight change in environment would cause a rapid change in display readings. So be careful of the placement to keep other hot points from affecting your readings. Check out the availably of the different models at <a href="http://www.directron.com">Directro