Do you use a fan controller?

[lilbabimac]

I'm contemplating about getting a fan controller for the 4 fans I plan to install in my RC-690. Any suggestions?

 

[Bluefront]

Many newer boards already have a built-in fan control system......check your BIOS for it. The program goes by different names, like "Smart-fan".

If you don't have any MB control, you can buy manual fan controllers...cheap. But I prefer an automatic control, using wired sensors. There are a bunch of these around also. Some definitely work better than others.

 

[Tullphan]

I've got the RC-690 loaded down w/140 & 120mm fans.
I'm using a Sunbeam rheostat to control the top two 140's (pigtailed), the 2 on the side (pigtailed) & the 80x15mm on the back (otherwise, it's a noisy b*stard!).
I've got the front, rear & bottom 120 (as well as the hsf) hooked onto the fan controllers on my IP35-E.

 

[Zepper]

I like the Sunbeam Rheobus for a good and simple fan controller - I have one that I use for all my fan testing. Be sure to order some 3-pin fan extensions at the same time as Sunbeam doesn't supply any. I think all there is is the power cable and a connector adapter (4-pin Molex to standard 3-pin fan connector) or two.

.bh.

 

[jonmcc33]

The fans inside my Antec 900 already have fan controllers built into them so yes.

 

[F1shF4t]

Nope, just set the 80mm fans to 7volts if I find them too load. Otherwise I just use slow (1300rpm) 120mm fans.
Not the best solution as the 80mm fans at 7 volts don't move much air.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

YES!!! i use a sunbeam rheobus to control my 2 x Delta 120x38mm 3200rpm fans. my other fans are connected to mobo because i dont like the bright LED on the rheobus

 

[Bluefront]

For certain fans, a fixed fan speed is not the best solution......the CPU fan for instance. A manual controller also may give you problems, unless you're sitting by the computer and monitoring the temps at all times. What if some application hangs for some reason and the CPU usage hits 100% and stays there......and you're asleep or in the next room, or even out of the house?

I find it impossible to find a fixed fan speed that's quiet enough at an idle, and pushes enough air at maximum CPU usage. That's where an auto-control system is necessary. Some people just set the speed somewhere in the middle, tolerate the unnecessary noise, and damn the consequences if the thing runs hot. Not me.....

Certain fans can be set at a fixed voltage without problems....a hard drive fan for instance. Set it at 5V and forget it....works ok usually. But for me to sleep well (so to speak), all the fans are on an auto-control. My favorite....a NoiseMagic NTM3. Cheap and reliable, and the MB can read the rpms.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

Originally posted by: Bluefront
For certain fans, a fixed fan speed is not the best solution......the CPU fan for instance. A manual controller also may give you problems, unless you're sitting by the computer and monitoring the temps at all times. What if some application hangs for some reason and the CPU usage hits 100% and stays there......and you're asleep or in the next room, or even out of the house?

I find it impossible to find a fixed fan speed that's quiet enough at an idle, and pushes enough air at maximum CPU usage. That's where an auto-control system is necessary. Some people just set the speed somewhere in the middle, tolerate the unnecessary noise, and damn the consequences if the thing runs hot. Not me.....

Certain fans can be set at a fixed voltage without problems....a hard drive fan for instance. Set it at 5V and forget it....works ok usually. But for me to sleep well (so to speak), all the fans are on an auto-control. My favorite....a NoiseMagic NTM3. Cheap and reliable, and the MB can read the rpms.

^^QFT, i just dont connect anything thats ciritical (CPU/GPU) to anything manually controlled. and if i do, i usually leave it on max for best temps anyway.

for case fans, a fan controller and fast fans are the best

 

[ding5550123]

I do not use a fsn controller, my fans are controlled by the motherboard BIOS depending on the CPU temp. It runs fairly quiet except for when it is under load ans all teh fans spin up, even then, it still is reletivley quit. Just a little louder.

 

[Bluefront]

ding5550123......you certainly are using a fan controller. It's just built into the MB, controlled by the BIOS program.

If you don't have a BIOS setting for fan control, your fans plugged into the MB are running 12V at all times. In this instance you need an external fan controller to reduce the fan speed and the noise.

 

[ShadeZeRO]

yes, I use a fan controller. I use it for my vantec tornado. Without it, I would have gone insane -_-''

 

[DerwenArtos12]

I'm a little obsessed with gadgets and my case is currently sporting 9 fans so I have one of these.

 

[Crass]

That thing is rad

 

[Zepper]

The Theta is interesting but has several significant design flaws that users should be aware of. Check this review: http://www.modthebox.com/review425_1.shtml I don't know about you, but my external USB connections can tend to be flaky. Powering the card logic thru the USB is silly when there is a power connector right on the board.

And I also use a Cooler Master Aerogate 3 - nice but has cumbersome and poorly documented operating method. Have been discontinued for some time and the few left out there are approching list price. Remember when SVC was blowing them out for under $10. each? Glad I grabbed some then. None of the USA listings that Froogle comes up with actually have one in stock - just sucker-bait listings. Maybe you can get one from the British site that pops up - Micom or eBay. Well I found one by using III instead of the actual 3 and they want $40. which is above list. None on eBay either.

.bh.

 

[DerwenArtos12]

It is a design flaw, I'll grant you that without hesitation. I've been running it for probably 3 years without incident. Back when they first came out I saw quite a few guys modifying them to use an internal header then either pass through the backpannel or they were just soldering the wires directly to the board to make a USB internal header a permanant fixture. I never really saw the need. I have all of two USB devices on my rig, including the theta. For a long time I did as many users suggested and programmed the CPU fan in light mode so that even if the USB cable got pulled it wouldn't shut off but, I just don't bother anymore.