By Aidan Moore
Manufacturer: Reeven LLC
Product Name: Polariz RFC-4 Fan Controller
Model Number: RFC-4
UPC: 840636102064
Price As Tested: $52.99 (Newegg)Full Disclosure: The product sample used in this article has been provided by Reeven.
Most PC enthusiasts would not place a fan controller at the top of the list for PC upgrades. Almost all motherboards include fan RPM sensors and headers for CPU and chassis fans that can be set to automatically adjust the fan speed as temperatures fluctuate.
So it takes a device with some real extra functionality and bling to influence a system builder to the point where the extra space on the front of the PC can be sacrificed for more or less redundant piece of technology.
The new Polariz RFC-4 fan controller from Reeven might just live up to those requirements, as it is one of the most attractive and functional fan controllers available for the PC aftermarket.
In this article for Benchmark Reviews, we will test the Reeven Polariz RFC-4 fan controller to see if it provides enough functionality and style to justify the cost and space required in a custom desktop PC build.
The Polariz RFC-4 fits into a standard 5.25″ drive bay on the front of the PC, and provides three automotive type circular controls for three separate fan circuits.
Once installed and connected, the round automotive HVAC type controls light up with clear white LED displays to provide information on fan RPM, sensor temperature and the voltage applied to the fan.
Key features of the Polariz RFC-4 are:
- car dashboard style fan control
- extra large knobs for fan control
- convenient information display
- solid metal housing
- Two year Warranty (Standard Reeven Warranty)
Reeven published specifications for the Polariz RFC-4 are shown below:
| Reeven RFC-4 | |
| Model Number | RFC-4 |
| Dimensions | (W)148 x (H)42.5 x (D)98mm |
| DC Input | DC 5V & DC12V |
| DC Output | 4V ~ 12V (+/- 10%) |
| Output Current | 3A per channel |
| Temperature Range | 0-90C |
| Fan Speed Range | 0-9990 rpm |
| Weight | 330g |
| Fitness | 5.25″ driver bay |
| Compatible Fan | 4 pin PWM, 3 pin |
| Total Power Output | 36W |
| Total Channels | 3 |
As of March 2017, the Reeven Poloriz RFC-4 is available at Newegg for $52.99. Packaging for the Polariz RFC-4 shows the device lit up in all its white LED splendor.
The components of the Polariz RFC-4, including fan and sensor cables are individually wrapped to allow easy removal and assembly. A foldout manual provides a quick pictograph getting started guide. Pay close attention to the sequence of connections as we will discuss in the installation section.
The painted surface of the CPU is matte black to integrate with the color scheme of most desktop PC’s. Unfortunately, like most products with this type of finish the paint is easily marred and scratched during insertion into the PC frame.
Physical installation of the unit is straightforward provided you have an available 5.25″ bay available on your PC.
The addition of three temperature sensors with long cables with clear channel markings adds to the ease of installation of the unit. These sensor components can be placed strategically around the PC interior, or even the PC exterior to provide temperature measurement.
Rear connectors are very easily identified, and the cables provided with the device are neatly marked at the attached device end to show which channel the cable is associated with.
A SATA power cable is not provided, so it is up to the user to have a spare SATA power cable available for the primary power of the unit.
The DIP switches are accessible on the back of the unit to allow selection of Celsius or Fahrenheit display and a selection for alarm activation when the fan stalls. A separate header is available for global alarm deactivation.
Once installed, the unit lights up with only the connected fan and sensor data displayed. If a fan is not connected to a channel, the RPM display is blanked and the voltage shows as zero volts.
At this point the unit is ready for operation and the dials can be adjusted for a balance between fan noise and cooling capability.
The RFC-4 unit comes with very clear instructions on how to connect the device into a typical PC system. Everything is clearly marked and the included cables are well labeled and appear to be of very good quality for this type of device.
Read those instructions carefully, as they include an very important point that is shown but not documented. If the power to the unit is applied before the fans are connected, the fans will not work. Likewise with the temperature sensors, the sequence of installation is critical, and it can lead to a lot of head scratching if you are not keeping track of the sequence of cable connection. If the fans and sensors are plugged in after the unit is powered up, you have to power cycle the unit in order for it to begin proper operation.
Once the unit is installed and operational, the performance is exceptional. The LED display is bright and aesthetically pleasing. The three knobs have a smooth indented rotation that feels solid, and the LED displays update quickly as the control is rotated.
I found that the temperature sensors included with the RFC-4 were particularly useful for monitoring hot spots in the PC. They can be placed near the fan exhaust of graphic cards or in a stack of hard drives to ensure that no hot spots are present in the PC.
Many PC fan controllers are designed with multicolored LCD displays and complex controls that imply they perform a much more complex function than fan speed control and monitoring.The RFC-4 has a minimalist elegant design that still manages to add a sophisticated appearance to a desktop PC.
The RFC-4 packs a lot of functionality, control and display information is a relatively small space. Once installed, it is very easy to identify a hot spot and crank up the corresponding fan speed. Having the RPM, voltage and temperature displayed within one control is very clever and lends itself to intuitive operation.
The cool factor of the control layout is a real selling point for this product. The white LED display on a dashboard type black control knob will appeal to a lot of system builders.
This product would be ideal in a larger PC case where the core CPU and chassis fans are under motherboard control, but there is a need to occasionally crank up the airflow when a power hungry task such as video editing or high resolution gaming is undertaken.
The RFC-4 is definitely a good looking addition to any PC rig, and it will not disappoint when it comes to performance. Excellent use is made of the space required for the hardware, and the product delivers on the promised functionality.
The Polariz RFC-4 is very solid in construction, and will fit snugly into any available 5.25″ drive bay. The only potential snag during installation can come from not following the proper sequence of cable connection. Installation documentation is very good with universal pictographs identifying the proper steps to take for installation.
As of March 2017, the Reeven Polariz RFC-4 was available online for $52.99 (Newegg). This is a little on the expensive side for a fan controller, so make sure it will support everything you need for your next build.
The Reeven Polariz RFC-4 is a unique product that provides a real style upgrade to a PC build while delivering excellent performance and a highly readable display. Provided the computer case has an available 5.25″ bay, adding the Polariz RFC-4 fan controller is the easiest way to add some sophisticated and well engineered style to a desktop PC build.
+ Very stylish design
+ Very responsive control
+ Clear display of fan parameters and temperature
+ Generous inclusion of fan cables and sensors
+ Solid control feel
– Cable installation sequence is critical
– Matt black finish is easy to scratch
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Performance: 8.50
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Appearance: 9.50
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Construction: 9.00
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Functionality: 8.50
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Value: 8.00
