need opinion: fan speed controller

[tkim]

ok, so im in the market for a fan bus controller. could you tell me if this one is good? controller if not, is there a type/brand that you recommend? thanks

also, is zalman a good brand? it seems like svc carries a lot of their stuff..

 

[DaveSimmons]

Zalman is one of the leaders -- their "fanmate" in-line voltage controller is the recommended tool for anyone who doesn't want to build it themselves. For the fanbus, you might check www.slientpcreview reviews (and forum) to see if they've looked at it yet.

 

[thorin]

Check this thread

Thorin

 

[LED]

Zalmans are quality but if you read the specs that controller will only handle up to 7 wts per channel...I went for the Sunbeam after dicussions with blade along with others in a thread I can not find where he blinded me by Pics of the LED's ... although it handles 2 less channels...each 1 will take up to 20 wts and I am very pleased.

 

[tkim]

ok, thanks guys. so what i have so far is that zalman is great in terms if fanbus...

how are their power supplies? they have one that is suppose to be "noiseless".. anythoughts?

i currently have a lian li and i want to do the buildup right. so a power supply is one of my top priorities. i know that antec is great too. any others to consider? thanks!

 

[tkim]

led thanks for the comment. that one looks great as well. hmmm.. so many choices...it makes it hard for a new bootie like me to shop around...

 

[chizow]

Originally posted by: tkim
led thanks for the comment. that one looks great as well. hmmm.. so many choices...it makes it hard for a new bootie like me to shop around...

Yep, the sunbeam's are great; they may not have as nice a facade, but they handle more watts per channel so you can connect multiple fans. Just an FYI though, the version SVC sells connects via the standard 3-pin connector. There's another version out there that doesn't have the tacky silkscreen and requires tailed fans. Some people might not like having to tail their fans, but you can buy tail extensions for cheap and it makes it much easier to attack multiple fans to each channel. You can also hook up any cold cathodes in your case as well.

I'm not sure if the SVC version has a completely "off" setting, but the version I have clicks off and turns the LED off as well. It switches from bright blue to red at 7W, and turns off when the fan is in the off position. I've got my CPU fan on channel 1, 2 x 80mm side blowhole LED fans on channel 2, and 2x80mm Sunon fans (rear exhaust and top blowhole) on channel 3. My Dual Cold Cathodes are attached to channel 4. The 2 intake fans are controlled by my front panel rheo on my Lian-Li PC-65. It works very well. I got my Sunbeam Rheo at Xoxide.com, but the experience wasn't very pleasant. Its the only place I've found it with a pre-installed faceplate.

Chiz

 

[LED]

NP and because blades not here to post 1 pic as to the brightness of the LED's I will ...go for the Sunbeam as it's less in price and handles more wts, unless you have more then 4 Fans/Devices you want to control

Edit=In reply to Chiz's statement I got mine @ SVC and it has a click to off the device and came completely assembled(2nd edit)...and he also made a good point about hooking up more then 1 fan to each controller.

 

[BentValve]

Originally posted by: LED
NP and because blades not here to post 1 pic as to the brightness of the LED's I will ...go for the Sunbeam as it's less in price and handles more wts, unless you have more then 4 Fans/Devices you want to control

Edit=In reply to Chiz's statement I got mine @ SVC and it has a click to off the device...and he also made a good point about hooking up more then 1 fan to each controller.

So what all do you need to buy with that Sunbeam unit to connect a variety of 3 and 4 pin fans to it?

Chiz , what do you mean by?,

I got my Sunbeam Rheo at Xoxide.com, Its the only place I've found it with a pre-installed faceplate.

 

[tkim]

can we say "bright as hell!!". that thing will blind someone

ok..that is definitely on my list! hopefully, my newbie ass can figure out how to wire the sucker.

 

[chizow]

Originally posted by: BentValve
So what all do you need to buy with that Sunbeam unit to connect a variety of 3 and 4 pin fans to it?

For the SVC version, you can still attach multiple fans, you just need to splice 2 or more fans to a 3-pin connector or you can buy a Y-adapter. Its a bit more complicated than just connecting a few fans (via molex or 3-pin) to a Y-adapter with tailed ends and then connecting the tails to the socket and it also won't permanently alter your fans with the version that accepts tailed fans. Oh yah, I use 16 guage copper speaker wire to extend my fans and route them so they are out of sight, which fit nicely into the spring-loaded sockets.

Chiz , what do you mean by?,I got my Sunbeam Rheo at Xoxide.com, Its the only place I've found it with a pre-installed faceplate.

I've found a few places like PCMods that sells the PCB standalone; they provide a drill template for an unused 5 1/4'' faceplate. You also have to buy the LEDs seperately. Total cost comes out to be about the same, but you still have to put in labor time. This is a good alternative for those that don't have black or silver brushed aluminum cases that want their face plates to match identically to their cases.

Chiz

 

[tkim]

chiz.. do you have pics of ur htpc? ur setup is something that ive been looking for!! from the link in your sig...it sounds like it rocks!!

 

[chizow]

Originally posted by: tkim
chiz.. do you have pics of ur htpc? ur setup is something that ive been looking for!! from the link in your sig...it sounds like it rocks!!

Just of my case atm, but I can snap a few of the rest of my set-up. PM me your e-mail and I can send you a few pics.

And yes, it does rock.

Chiz

 

[blade]

I'm not sure if the SVC version has a completely "off" setting, but the version I have clicks off and turns the LED off as well. It switches from bright blue to red at 7W, and turns off when the fan is in the off position.

The two I received were just like that, and svc does advertise them that way too.

Originally posted by: LED
NP and because blades not here to post 1 pic as to the brightness of the LED's I will ...go for the Sunbeam as it's less in price and handles more wts, unless you have more then 4 Fans/Devices you want to control

What thu....What did you do to your case LED? :Q

 

[LED]

What thu....What did you do to your case LED? :Q

Hehe...Although not quite done, just another day @ the office and wanted something to do so I just Follow the yellow brick road to...