Zalman ZM-MFC1 COMBO Multifan Controller:

In addition to the CNPS10X Performa, Zalman also shipped us their ZM-MFC1 COMBO Multifan Controller for use in this review. The packaging is shown in the first two images. The front of the package has a large depiction of the product, while the back of the package gives you the specifications as well as a breakdown of the controls and features.



Opening the box reveals the controller itself wrapped in an anti-static bag, and as you can see in the below right image, a bunch of cables and a bag of mounting screws. Included in the cable bundle is one CPU specific power cable, two Y cable splitters capable of controlling two fans each, and two single fan cables. All in all the ZM-MFC1 has the capacity of controlling six case fans and a single CPU fan.



After removing the controller from the box, we take a look at the face of the unit in the below left image. The face has a very nice brushed aluminum finish, and you can see the PWM mode button on the left which allows the user to cycle between the 3 preset modes and a fourth manual mode. The five LEDs over the controller dials change color based on fan speed. Next, we flip the unit around so you get a good look at the back of the controller and how all of the fans and cables connect to the ZM-MFC1. On the right-hand side you see the standard 12 volt 4-pin Molex connector that actually powers the unit. To the left of that is the PWM CPU fan header - which is not voltage regulated like the other four channels. Finally, we have four additional fan headers. Zalman has added some beefy heatsinks to the voltage regulators to better dissipate the heat.



As you can see from the picture below, the LEDs have many color options depending on the fan speed. The PWM mode also uses the same colors to signify how much power is being sent to the header. Based on the chart below, you'll always know what mode - and how fast your fans are running (in manual mode) - the controller is in at a glance.

» Auto Low - Input: 50% (Blue)
» Auto Mid - Input: 75% (Purple)
» Auto High - Input: 100% (Red)
» Manual Duty: 25 ~ 100% (Green)

The same color scheme applies to the fan LEDs in manual mode. If you have the dial set to 50%, you'll get a blue LED, crank it up to 75% and it will change to purple. You can see this more clearly in the image below.