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NZXT HUE+ RGB LED Controller Review
By Tom Jaskulka
Manufacturer: NZXT., Inc.
Product Name: HUE+ Smart RGB LED Controller
Model Number: AC-HUEPS-M1
UPC: 815671012517
Price As Tested: $59.99 (Newegg | Amazon)
Full Disclosure: The product sample used in this article has been provided by NZXT., Inc.
Not the first time NZXT has played with RBG LED lighting, the HUE+ provides all of the functionality (and then some) of the original HUE in an even more streamlined package. Coupled with NZXT’s free standalone software package CAM, the HUE+ Smart RGB LED Controller provides eight configurable LED presets out of the box, ranging from breathing LEDs to color fades and marquee scrolling. For the endless tinkerers and those looking for even more fine control over their system lighting, the HUE+ with CAM 3.0 allows for each LED to be individually addressed! That’s an impressive repertoire for an LED controller, but is it worth the price of admission? Benchmark Reviews has an opportunity to find out – follow along as we take a closer look at the new NZXT HUE+ Smart RGB LED Controller.
We’ll look at what you receive with the HUE+, walk through a quick installation, and cover the lighting options available. We’ll also look at the latest CAM software and the HUE+ specific options contained therein.
Features & Specifications
Features
- Dual-channel illumination with support for up to 40 LEDs per channel
- Numerous lighting modes and countless customization options
- Digitally controlled with CAM software
- Simple and versatile installation with daisy-chained design
- Smart Lighting mode enables lights to react to changing PC conditions
- Visualize PC’s sound output with Audio mode
Specifications
| Output Channels | 2 |
| Output LED Quantity | Up to 40 per channel |
| LED Strip Width | 10mm |
| Output Channel Voltage | DC 5V |
| Dimensions | 100mm x 70mm x 23.5mm |
| Included Accessories | 1 x 500 mm Extension cable 1 x 300mm Extension cable 2 x 100mm Extension cable 4 x Screws 5 x Cable ties |
| Material | Steel, Plastic, PCB |
| LED Color | Color changing RGB |
| Form Factor | 2.5″ Drive Bay |
| Connections | 4 x LED Strip 1 x Molex Power 1 x Internal micro-USB cable 2 x 500mm Connection cable |
| Mounting | HUE+ Body: Screws LED Strip: Magnets and 3M Tape |
| LED Modes | Presets: Static, Fading, Breathing, Marquee, Covering Marquee, Alternating, Spectrum Wave, Pulse Smart: CPU Temperature, GPU Temperature, FPS Custom: Customize each LED Audio (Beta): HUE+ reacts to the changing audio output from your PC |
| LED Strip Length | 300mm, 10-LED |
| Control Method | CAM Software |
| Input Connector | 5V Molex 4-pin connector |
| Warranty | 2 years |
1 comment
YOUDIEMOFO
12 February 2016 at 6:27 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Yeah this LED setup is hands down exactly what I’ve been waiting for. So much in fact I bought two complete sets as they did not have additional LED’s for sale separately. My CaseLabs Magnum STH-10 on a pedestal needed every strip but one on both controllers in order to get my window completely surrounded…..seven of eight strips were easily necessary for my rig. Not to mention I do have a faulty LED strip on top of that…something I hope to remedy with NZXT directly.
One must pay attention when connecting the strips as the author has reported……it will be obvious if there is a messed up connection. One caveat I do have with this setup is that when running both channels together with a scrolling/rolling marques both channels do not like to play well with each other when moving in specific directions. For example…..making channel one move backwards so that it may “flow” into channel two that is moving forward is (almost/not sure!!) impossible…… One has to do some Houdini mumbo-jumbo by switching off specific channels in order to adjust the other channel. Still not sure on this all together, but I hope to get it hammered out in time.
Truly an amazing piece of hardware and has come leaps and bounds from when it originally released. Now if they could actually meet the demand of their market I could see this selling out like if always has for a long time…