ASRock H77M Unable to Control Fans

Quantos

Senior member
Dec 23, 2011
386
0
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Hiya guys, I'm wondering if anyone might have insight about this. I've just installed my HTPC and I'm setup up software at my desk on my second monitor. I'm trying to set the fans to be as silent as possible, this being an HTPC, but from what I'm hearing, I can't change the speed. The motherboard is an ASRock H77M. From what I can see in the BIOS, everything is set to be as silent as possible.

I can control the CPU fan (from what I can hear at least, it's obviously not running full speed). The case is a Silverstone GD05B whose three fans have a max speed of ~ 1200RPM. One of the three fans is not running at full speed (about 600RPM), while the other two run at full speed. There are two chassis fans and a "power" fan (though from my understanding that's essentially the same thing). All these fans are set to run at the lowest setting possible (though any level makes no difference).

I've attached an image of my BIOS: http://i.imgur.com/cFU0H.jpg

I can't seem to control the fans in Windows either; whether I use the ASRock utility or Speedfan.

BIOS has just been updated to version 1.30 (most recent). This is an HTPC I'm building here; I simply cannot have those fans running at full tilt.

Anyone got an idea? :confused:

edit: clearer picture
 
Last edited:

pauldun170

Diamond Member
Sep 26, 2011
9,323
5,407
136
Hiya guys, I'm wondering if anyone might have insight about this. I've just installed my HTPC and I'm setup up software at my desk on my second monitor. I'm trying to set the fans to be as silent as possible, this being an HTPC, but from what I'm hearing, I can't change the speed. The motherboard is an ASRock H77M. From what I can see in the BIOS, everything is set to be as silent as possible.

I can control the CPU fan (from what I can hear at least, it's obviously not running full speed). The case is a Silverstone GD05B whose three fans have a max speed of ~ 1200RPM. One of the three fans is not running at full speed (about 600RPM), while the other two run at full speed. There are two chassis fans and a "power" fan (though from my understanding that's essentially the same thing). All these fans are set to run at the lowest setting possible (though any level makes no difference).

I've attached an image of my BIOS: http://i.imgur.com/cFU0H.jpg

I can't seem to control the fans in Windows either; whether I use the ASRock utility or Speedfan.

BIOS has just been updated to version 1.30 (most recent). This is an HTPC I'm building here; I simply cannot have those fans running at full tilt.

Anyone got an idea? :confused:

edit: clearer picture

You have 3 120mm fans each connected to the chassis fan headers on the motherboard.
Each is set to manual and level 1
One is running at 600rpm (about right on Manual, level 1 setting) and should be quiet.
The other two are also plugged into Chassis Fan headers on the motherboard and running full speed.

What fans are being used?
What header is the fan running @600rpm plugged into?
What happens when you plug that fan into one of the other chassis fan headers?

I hate to ask, bu can you please confirm that NO fans are plugged into molex?
Had to put that out there...

I have a Z77 extreme4 and I am familiar with setup.
 

Quantos

Senior member
Dec 23, 2011
386
0
76
You have 3 120mm fans each connected to the chassis fan headers on the motherboard.
Each is set to manual and level 1
One is running at 600rpm (about right on Manual, level 1 setting) and should be quiet.
The other two are also plugged into Chassis Fan headers on the motherboard and running full speed.

What fans are being used?
What header is the fan running @600rpm plugged into?
What happens when you plug that fan into one of the other chassis fan headers?

I hate to ask, bu can you please confirm that NO fans are plugged into molex?
Had to put that out there...

I have a Z77 extreme4 and I am familiar with setup.

Right so I've read a bit about the PWR_FAN header, and it seems that won't allow the motherboard to control fan speed, so fair enough, I won't use it (it's not like 3 fans were such a requirement in an HTPC anyway). I've opened up the case and made a few verifications. From that I can tell that whatever fan is plugged into CHA_FAN1 will always be running at full speed, regardless of the BIOS' configuration. However as you correctly pointed out, one fan was indeed being slowed to its intended speed, and that seems to be any fan on CHA_FAN2. Nothing is plugged into molex, no :p
 

fluffmonster

Senior member
Sep 29, 2006
232
8
81
The 4-pin headers (CPU1 and CHA1) might be relying on PWM control which would result in any 3-pin fan running at full-speed. The manual says the PWR and CPU2 headers do not support fan control. Supposedly the 3-pin CHA2 header supports fan control, but I wonder if this is an error in the documentation.
 

piasabird

Lifer
Feb 6, 2002
17,168
60
91
Maybe get some 3 speed fans with some controls on them. With my ANTEC 300 I have the option to set the fans to low speed. I only run the exhaust fans on mine. That would be the rear fan and the fan on top of the case.
 

birthdaymonkey

Golden Member
Oct 4, 2010
1,176
3
81
I use a $5 PCI-slot fan controller in my GD05 (actually, the one that came with my Fractal R3). I keep everything manually dialed down to 5v (this is with 1000rpm "silent" fans) and the system stays cool even without a fan on my CPU heatsink.

You could also perform a 5v mod or a 7v mod with a molex connector.

ASRock are not known for having good fan control.
 

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
7
81
I was actually pleasantly surprised with the ASRock Z77E-ITX board. It has two 4-pin fan headers. Haven't verified with the CPU fan header, but the other one was able to control a 3-pin fan.

For the OP, depending on the hardware in there, I would probably just do a 5v mod if the fans can start at that voltage.