Help with fan/controller setup please.

[ruhig]

Trying to keep things cool and not fry anything in the process.

Have a Lian Li PC-65B which doesn?t have the best air flow.

2x80mm in the bottom for intake - 2x80mm, one below PSU in the back and one in the top for exhaust.

Most likely going to cut a 2nd 80mm hole below the one in the back for more exhaust and maybe buy a LL HD bay that comes in either 80mm or 120mm for another intake. Which would be blowing straight at the HSF.

Using the stock cooler atm for my E6420, but planning to get the Ultima-90I from Thermalright that comes with a 92mm (can use 120mm) fan. Supposed to be out by the end of May or June from what I can find out. Seems to have the performance of the larger 120?s (Tuniq/Ultra).

So in the end I will have 7 fans.

I bought a Vantec 205 witch has 4x18watt max channels. ~$20

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813999504

Then found the Lian Li TR-3B, but can?t find any specs, besides it having 3 fan channels. ~$20-30

http://www.lian-li.com/product/product0...index=2&sc_index=10&ss_index=46&type=b

Can either of these maintain 6-7 fans? Or would it be an overload?

The Vantec is just knobs, but the LL has a display, so I?m thinking about returning the Vantec for it.

If they would support the fans, would it be wise to have 2x80 on 1 channel, 92 on another, and 3x80 on the 3rd? Leaving the 120 by itself? Or if I had the Vantec, it would go on 4th channel.

Also is it best to have the HFS controlled by me or plug it into the MB and let it decide? I have a Asus PN32-E Plus.

No idea how much controllers can really handle on a channel. Does 18 watts, really mean 18? Or is that in a perfect situation?

If these 2 won?t support my plans, any suggestions for a controller that does?

Thanks for any help.

 

[Zepper]

You could double or triple up fans per channel depending on their total current load. My controllers can handle about 1.5 Amps per channel that would be up to seven 0.2A fans per channel. You could hook up the ones of the same make to the same channel as long as it is OK for all of them to run at the same speed. Hook only one speed sensor from one fan to the channel and that will be approximate speed for each of the fans. I've not tested any of them to full load on any channel. You can find reviews of most fan controllers/temp monitors around the web. L-L has crappy info on their site for many of their items (in poor English to boot) - to find out what you want you almost have to find a good review.

.bh.

 

[zagood]

Good info from Zep.

In addition, if you're going to cut your case anyway, I'd suggest you look into cutting your existing fan holes to at least 92mm, or 120mm if there's room.

-z

 

[napes22]

I own the "TR-3B" and was curious if anyone had any idea of the voltages per channel. I just bought a couple of high speed Scythe fans, and want to make sure the controller can handle it.

Also, I've heard that because the fan controller does its control through voltage, it can't reach some of the higher speeds of stronger fans.

I also own a Rhoenus and might just end up using that for control, but the TR-3B for the temperature monitoring.

 

[Zepper]

Doesn't the LL device come with any specs? I've found the max you get from the rheobus is 11V too, just like most PWM controllers. The thing with many PWM controllers is that they can't go low enough without having nasty side-effects. While the Rheobus will take your fan as low as it can run - of course that's dangerous as you can accidentally turn it down too far. Not good on CPU or PSU fans...

.bh.