Alternative to Matrix Orbital Unit

[MossyRock]

I used a Matrix Orbital MX2 5.25 bay insert unit successfully in an old XP machine about 5 years ago to display system information on its LCD screen. I also controlled LED indicators I externally mounted on the computer case with it.

External LEDs and fans could be connected to the MX2's "GPO" (General Purpose Output) headers.

The action of the LED indicators could be controlled very precisely with the MX2's LCDC programming utility, and you could get very creative. For example, I had an array of three square LED indicators. One of them flashed with increasing frequency as the CPU load increased, another would illuminate when the CPU temp exceeded a value I specified, etc.

I installed this old MX2 unit in my current Windows 7 system with the most current software and drivers available (they were still very old). While the Matrix Orbital drivers worked, the LCDC utility had a lot of problems, rendering the MX2 pretty useless to me.

I investigated an alternative to LCDC, called LCDSmartie, but it doesn't allow for such fine-grained control of the GPOs. You basically can just turn a GPO on or off and that's it.

My question: is there any current hardware/software out there that will allow me to drive LEDs with precision? With so many case mod kits available, I figured there must be something available but I must be overlooking it.

Thanks.

 

[MossyRock]

Hmmm... no responses either means that what I'm looking for doesn't exist or I gave too much information.

So, assuming the latter, let me re-state in a nutshell: I want to be able to drive a series of case-mounted LEDs under program control based on current system information. I would like to do more than just simply turn them on or off; I would like to be able to control their flash rate. Matrix Orbital units won't work for me under Windows 7.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

 

[Jason_CL]

The only option out there, that I can think of, would be the Aquaero 5 units. Though there's only one RGB LED connection on them, you can control color, pulse rate, etc, based off pretty much any perameter you can think of. IT's mainly a Watercooling temp monitor/fan/pump controller.

 

[MossyRock]

XNine, THANK YOU!

I dug into this, and that RGB LED connection you mentioned can control two separate single-colored LEDs or one multi-colored LED. However, the biggest find was their "Multiswitch" which allows you to do much more.

For info, click below and scroll down to "multiswitch USB 1.41"

http://www.aqua-computer.de/e_index.htm

I'm studying the Multiswitch manual now to see how it works. The English is pretty bad...

 

[Jason_CL]

XNine, THANK YOU!

I dug into this, and that RGB LED connection you mentioned can control two separate single-colored LEDs or one multi-colored LED. However, the biggest find was their "Multiswitch" which allows you to do much more.

For info, click below and scroll down to "multiswitch USB 1.41"

http://www.aqua-computer.de/e_index.htm

I'm studying the Multiswitch manual now to see how it works. The English is pretty bad...

No problem. I have an Aquaero 5 Pro in my rig, and it's the best piece of hardware I've ever owned. I completely forgot about the multi-switch, to be honest. They have so many accessories for this thing, it's not even funny.

The Aquaero itself is pretty amazing, there's so many control factors and variables for cooling and controlling of fans and pumps, it's worth every single cent, in my opinion. Aquacomputer makes some seriously nice stuff, they have a great reputation in the industry.

You can see my build here: http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?p=1039891661#post1039891661

 

[MossyRock]

Thanks for the link to pics of your rig. It is truly awesome! Also, thanks for recommending the manufacturer.

What's driving the need for this is that I've acquired some valuable vintage indicators and buttons from an old IBM 1403 printer and 3420 tape drive. The indicators are about 1" x 1/2", are made of high-quality lucite, and illuminate beautifully. Being a collector of vintage mainframe items, I'd like to install some of these in my new build to give it a unique look.

My challenge here is to understand how the Multiswitch is driven from the main unit and to make sure it will do what I want before I buy the Aquaero 5 and the Multiswitch. For some reason, a lot of their website's links (like to demonstration videos) are not working for me ("unable to connect"). Their support forum is in German also so if I need help it looks like I'll have to find a nearby neighbor that speaks German to help me.

Also, do you know if there is a dealer of this equipment in the U.S.? I see the Auquaero 5 on Frozencpu's site but their price is astronomical. I also see the manufacturer's online store where the price is much better but it is in German with Euros as the currency.

 

[Jason_CL]

I bought mine from http://www.aquatuning.us/index.php/cat/c238_Aquacomputer.html
Sidewinder also carries their stuff (but may be out of stock of some of it) http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/fancontrollers.html

Mind you, I bought the Pro version, not the XT. I also bought the waterblock for it because this sucker gets insanely hot without one when you're running it at even half its capacity.

So, while yes, it's expensive, it's really the only controller out there that meets enthusiast needs. Judging by your needs, I'd have to say you're quite the enthusiast as well.

 

[MossyRock]

XNine, Fantastic! Thanks for the link.

I'm fortunate to have found and joined this forum. The internet can be a "black hole" of wasted time and useless data. Here I'm getting timely and great information.

 

[Jason_CL]

XNine, Fantastic! Thanks for the link.

I'm fortunate to have found and joined this forum. The internet can be a "black hole" of wasted time and useless data. Here I'm getting timely and great information.

Oh, I know all about the "black hole" of the internet, lol. I work for NZXT, so I see more stuff that I don't want to in a day then I'd like to. Enthusiasts must stick together!!!

[H] has some phenomenal people here, and some really great reviewers. I can also point you in the direction of chassis and other watercooling gear if you need any advice. I've seen it all, so, just hit me up if you want

 

[MossyRock]

Thanks, XNine.

 

[MossyRock]

XNine,

Thanks for all your help on this. I've spent a week trying to determine if the Multiswitch will do what I want.

After emailing back and forth with a support rep with Aquacomputer, it turns out that the Multiswitch isn't supported with the current version of Aquasuite. I've asked for current Aquasuite documentation but this request has been ignored so that tells me that it is very poorly documented if at all - at least I can't find anything in English.

So the Multiswitch is out.

Question: are you using Aquasuite to reference system variables provided by third-party utilities like Aida64 to drive any functions of your Aquaero? There is a YouTube video that shows this but details are very lacking: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nXkOi3C4uM

The guy says that he would post more detailed videos on how he accomplished this but he never did.

I'm about to give up.

Thanks

 

[MossyRock]

XNine,

I've since found out that Aquasuite only will access temperature information. It looks like that I'm going to need an additional unit, like an Arduino UNO, as a separate controller to accomplish what I want to do. The Aquaero will provide the LCD screen that I want, and the Arduino (with custom C++ routines that I will write) will provide the precise control I need for the LEDs.

Thanks for all your help.

 

[Jason_CL]

XNine,

Thanks for all your help on this. I've spent a week trying to determine if the Multiswitch will do what I want.

After emailing back and forth with a support rep with Aquacomputer, it turns out that the Multiswitch isn't supported with the current version of Aquasuite. I've asked for current Aquasuite documentation but this request has been ignored so that tells me that it is very poorly documented if at all - at least I can't find anything in English.

So the Multiswitch is out.

Question: are you using Aquasuite to reference system variables provided by third-party utilities like Aida64 to drive any functions of your Aquaero? There is a YouTube video that shows this but details are very lacking: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nXkOi3C4uM

The guy says that he would post more detailed videos on how he accomplished this but he never did.

I'm about to give up.

Thanks

XNine,

I've since found out that Aquasuite only will access temperature information. It looks like that I'm going to need an additional unit, like an Arduino UNO, as a separate controller to accomplish what I want to do. The Aquaero will provide the LCD screen that I want, and the Arduino (with custom C++ routines that I will write) will provide the precise control I need for the LEDs.

Thanks for all your help.

Mossy,

I find it odd that the multiswitch isn't compatible with the newest Aquasuite. That makes me scratch my head. What the hell else could you expand the A5 system with?

Sadly, I am not using any other code for the A5 unit. I did use LCDHype for a little while, but got sick of it running all the time. I absolutely suck at coding, too, lol. I can read and interpret a lot of code, but as far as writing it, I am horrid.

The Aquaero doesn't just base its controls off of temp, though. That's what confuses me about your conversations with them, and yes, the device and its capabilities are pretty poorly documented, unfortunately (though I've learned a great deal by using Google Chrome's translate webpage on their German support forum). Their English support forum isn't as heavily posted in.

Here's a screen of just some of the control mechanisms you can choose from for various things like LED, Fans, Alarms, etc.

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BzuxPUV0ztB_OUViay0wX0dMSG8/edit?usp=sharing