Fan Controller and Mobo fan Connections

[skadoo323]

Hey everyone I need some help. I am putting together a system, but this is my first time using one of those variable fan speed controllers. The controller has 4 variable fans speed knobs. In this system I will have a cpu fan, a hard drive cooling fan, 2 fans in the front of the case, 2 fans in the rear of the case, and then there is the side fan, which is mounted on my case's side panel. On the Asus A8V Deluxe motherboard that I am using there are connections for a CPU_FAN, PWR_FAN, and CHA_FAN. I know the cpu's fan will go to the CPU_FAN connection. What do you suggest I connect to the PWR_FAN and CHA_FAN connection? Should I not use those since I am using a fan controller? I am using a thermaltake fan controller which monitors system temperature as well. I'm guessing I will use the fron 2 fan for intake, and the side and read fans as exhaust. Any input would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

 

[Cheetah8799]

If you connect fans to the mobo, they will run 100% speed. So usually you just hook up the CPU fan to the CPU_FAN connector, then leave the PWR_FAN and CHA_FAN empty. The fan controller manual will probably say to NOT hook up the CPU fan to the controller. Just on the off chance that you turn down the cpu fan speed too far and fry the cpu... You can do it, but just be careful.


Now you have 5 more fans to control with only the 4 knobs on your controller. What I did with mine is decide which fans to splice the wires together on. For you, you might want to set the hard drive fan in one knob, the 2 front intakes on 2 other knobs, and maybe splice together the 2 exhaust fans so they can go on the 4th knob together.

Your decision there kinda depends on which fans are loudest, and which you want more control over. You could splice the two intakes and put them on 1 knob, then have the 2 exhaust fans on 2 separate knobs. It's up to you.

The only thing you have to worry about is how many Amps each fan will draw, and what the terminals on the fan controller can handle. Some high power Sunon fans and such will be too much for the controller.

 

[skadoo323]

thanks so much for your prompt reply!!! yeah i plan to daisy chain the fans. have the front fans on one swith, the rear fans on another, and then the hard drive fans on another switch.