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Need opinion on this sweet lookin' fan controller

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Zepper

Elite Member
May 1, 2001
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I really like the original Sunbeam linear fan controller. Haven't heard much about that one though I'm sure you can find reviews out there.

.bh.
 
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Zepper

Elite Member
May 1, 2001
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The original is a linear controller which can handle some fans that don't work well with the PWM controllers (makes them buzzy) plus it can handle more power per channel than most, plus it can go from 0-12V while most PWM controllers only go down to 7V equivalent or 5-6 volts equiv at best. I have some Sanyo fans here that can often run OK on a bit less than 5V. IOW, it can run with whatever fan(s) you brung...

.bh.


.bh.
 
jonnyGURU

jonnyGURU

Moderator <BR> Power Supplies
Moderator
Oct 30, 1999
11,815
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That product is a rebadge from another company (whose name escapes me.)

The light is next to impossible to see from any angle but dead on. Ultra tried to improve on the original when they came out with the Fan Commander and made the backlight brighter, but it's still difficult to read.

I have one, set the RPM's on all of my fans to an ideal sound/cooling RPM and haven't looked at it since. I suppose if a fan died or a temp got too critical, the alarm sounding would help, but outside of that it's a bunch of eye candy.

I'm w/ Zepper on this one. The standard linear controller is the way to go. It's handles more power per channel and a fan can run closer to full RPM to full stop. The Chromatic/Fan Commander can not.

I'm thinking for my next build I'm just going to use a bunch of those little rheostats that Zalman fans come with and call it a day. ;)
 
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Zepper

Elite Member
May 1, 2001
18,998
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The Vantec linked above is PWM too - note the voltage range. I don't know any but the original Sunbeam that is linear and available now - PWM is just that much less expensive to build and is "good enough" for most. "Good enough" is always the mortal enemy of "Best"! Anent Beta vs VHS. Last I knew, http://www.jab-tech.com has the best price on it and they are one of my favorite resellers.
The Zalman FanMates I and II are both PWM as well.

.bh.
 
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Zepper

Elite Member
May 1, 2001
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Yes, PWM (pulse width modulation) fan controllers, control the fans by controlling the Power delivery rather than by dividing the Voltage as linear controllers do. They generate approximately 12V (there is some loss so it can't reach full supply voltage) pulses of varying widths so the power to the fan is reduced (the area under the curve relates to power) - the pulses are always the same voltage. This type of power delivery can cause "loose" fans (sleeve bearing ones may buzz, high-speed ball-bearing fans may whine) some problems. But they usually work reliably well with low speed ball bearing (3500 rpm or less) fans whose bearing tolerances can be tighter. Most newer ones are more sophisticated and by varying the shape and frequency of the pulses can largely avoid that negative side-effect. But there are other drawbacks to PWM control which are probably covered in comparisons on the web. Perhaps gettting a fan started in the lower control range - since the power is discontinuous. IOW, the starting and running voltages would likely be closer together with a linear controller than would the relative power settings of a PWM controller.

The only negative I'm aware of with linear is linear's decreased efficiency and the extra heat due to that.

.bh.
 
D

dme92189

Senior member
Dec 26, 2005
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Ok, so let me throw a general question out there. What is a good looking fan controller (lcd is a plus but not necessary) that would run "well in your opinion? I know you recommend the sunbeam one, but is that really the only quality one out there? I hope I am not being redundant, this is a new area in hardware to me.
Thanks for your patience!
 
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Zepper

Elite Member
May 1, 2001
18,998
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The one Silverstone sells - got some kind of weird name, Eudemon or something like that - has gotten good reviews. Best price per Froogle is $37 at http://www.SVC.com (has a good rep here at the AT forums and at RR). Modthebox.com is one place they reviewed it.

But I've never seen a fan controller review that has tested with enough different types of fans to be authoritative. Who knows, the one you mentioned up top may work just fine with your fans, within its limits of course. Check the user reviews on Newegg of ones with enough numbers to have hit most types of fans. I think I recently heard of a PWM controller that has a control range from off (under 5V equivalent) for most fans on to nearly full speed. SVC.com has also been selling the CoolerMaster Aerogate 3 for $8. - that might even work for you and you won't be out much to try it...



.bh.
 
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dme92189

Senior member
Dec 26, 2005
687
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0
Yea I heard about the Aerogate 3, looks nice, price is amazing, anyone here have one?
 
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Zepper

Elite Member
May 1, 2001
18,998
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0
YW.

I just looked on newegg and they have the best price on the Eudemon at $30. Quite a selection there as well. Find 'em by clicking on the "Shop All Categories" button and go down the index to the Cases section.

I used an AG1 for a while and it caused some of my fans to whine. But most of my fans are top brand like Sanyo Denki, NMB, etc. and are capable of over 100CFM at full cry, so they'd be considered high speed fans with a bit looser bearing tolerance. But then the AG1 was CM's first shot at a fan controller.

Lots of reviews of the AG3 can be linked to from the CoolerMaster.com site. or found with your favorite search engine. I'm getting to like Ask.com more and more these days.

.bh.
 
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