Fan Setup (Fan Controller/Motherboard)

[napes22]

I'm just about finished purchasing my new build (see my sig) and was wondering what the best way to control all of the fans I'll be using.

I'll be running the following setup in a Corsair 400R:
- Rear Exhaust: Corsair H60 w/ Replacement Fan (Gentle Typhoon 15-AP if it ever comes back in stock)
- Top Exhaust: 1x140MM Fan (Promilatech Blue Vortex)
- Side Intake: 1x140MM Fan (Promilatech Blue Vortex)
- Front Intake: 2x120MM Fans (Corsair 400R Case Stock)

My question is what would be the most efficient way to control all of these fans (ie:fan controller, plug into PSU and run at full, get splitter for motherboard header and control through voltage in bios, etc)? I'll likely be overclocking to 4.0Ghz.

For the H60, I'll be plugging the radiator into a motherboard header, and the exhaust into the CPU fan header. I also own an older Skythe Kaze Master fan controller, but I think it has a voltage limitation.

 

[Elcs]

Depends on your motherboard. Apparently my ASUS P8Z68-V LE can control 3-pin fans on the 2 case fan points but only control 4-pin fans via the CPU fan header. Worst part for me is that speedfan doesn't work and ASUS AI Suite II doesn't allow me to set the fans below 40%.

Fan setup seems to be fine and I agree with the CPU fan and H60 Pump going onto fan headers. IIRC The H60's pump can be controlled via CPU header to reduce it's 'speed' but I get lost with the H-series

Really I always prefer things to be automatically controlled. Gives me the silence I desire when the system is not producing much heat and ramps up when I stress the system.

Looking at the Scythe Kaze Master, it's fine. Does 3.7v (many/most fans won't start at this voltage) and goes up to 12v (100% fan power). 1A per channel I think should be able to handle two of your fans on one channel but don't quote me on that.

Short version: Hook everything you're able to on the motherboard (careful on the power requirements and the max power on each header), prioritise the H60 pump and chosen fan. Rest could go on the Scythe controller.

I'd also recommend looking into some fan extension cables just for the fans at the back that may not reach the controller.

 

[napes22]

Thanks for the feedback. Instead of using the Fan Controller, would something like this be good to hook more than one fan into the motherboard header? Or is it somewhat dicey due to the Voltage limits?

Y Cable - 4 Fans to one 3Pin Molex

 

[Elcs]

As far as I am aware, most of the modern motherboards should be able to handle a couple of the slower speed fans on each header. My ASUS P8Z68-V LE can handle the 2 Corsair 1000-2600rpm fans on my Corsair H100 on the CPU header or either of the Case Fan headers.

Problem is control of those headers. I can't get full control of the 3 fan headers on my board and only get partial control of the case fan headers via the BIOS or ASUS AI Suite II, using the typical 3-pin fans. SpeedFan doesn't work for it and my post on these forums to find a workaround has yielded nothing.

 

[napes22]

Anyone else have some feedback on this?

I'd prefer not to use the fan controller because I don't think it looks great with the front mesh of the Corsair 400R.

H60 fan on the CPU header, pump on a motherboard fan header. What's the best way to hook up the remaining fans (top exhaust, side intake, front intake)? I'll have one other motherboard fan header and a "power fan header" available, and there are always molex connectors.

 

[ehume]

Your Gigabyte mb ought to be able to control a few low-Amp fans on its cpu header with Voltage, but their per-header limit is 1 Amp.

I use a TY-140 PWM fan as my top intake. When the cpu goes from idle to load, my cpu fans and my top intake all spin up together, since they share a PWM control.

I have a three Voltage-controlled fans that I keep slowed, for various reasons. I use a dedicated 7v wire for one and single-channel controllers for the other two.

Your fans don't look to be heavy current drawers. Check the Amperage on their labels, convert to Watts (12v x Amps = Watts) and compare with your controller's limits (should be in the manual; look online if you've lost your paper copy).

Oh, and I wouldn't use a Vortex pushing air up. It has a sleeve bearing. It's nice and pretty though, at least in blue.

 

[napes22]

Thanks for the feedback - are you using the 7v wire to extend the life of the fan and reduce noise?

Since the H60 will be using CPU Fan Header, and Fan Header 1, that leaves me with Fan Header 2, and Power Fan Header. The 400R case has 2x120MM front intakes that hook into the PSU so I only have to worry about the side intake and top exhaust. Can I use the Power Fan header and remaining Fan Header 2, or should I look into getting a Y Cable for Fan header 2 and avoid the Power Fan Header?

Given the video card I just purchased, and the fact that the Vortex's are sleeve bearing, I'll either use two 140MM as my side intake (or one and just keep one Blue Vortex as a backup) and grab a non sleeve bearing for the top. I've read good things about the Thermalright X-Silent and think I may grab 2 of these for the top exhaust.

 

[ehume]

A comparison of various 140mm fans is here. Another is here.

I keep my front 140mm fan on 7v for quietness.