Searching for a fan controller...

[Dianoda]

I'm in the process of procuring a fan controller for my current build/WIP. I have a CM Cosmos S case and would like to replace all the stock 120mm fans with Scythe S-FLEX SFF21Fs, while retaining the stock 200mm fan in the side panel of the case. For the sake of having a quieter system, I'd like get a fan controller that can supply adequate power to drive my 200mm fan along with five to six case fans (the S-Flexes I mentioned earlier).

I've been looking at several models, and I?m unsure as to whether or not the power draw of the 200mm fan would exceed the per channel power ratings of some of the fan controllers I'm looking at.

Does anyone know what kind of power draw 200mm fans have (or better, the 200mm fan used in the Cosmos S)?

Here are the fan controllers I'm considering:
Zalman MFC1 Plus-B 6 Channel
Scythe KM01-BK "KAZE MASTER"
Sunbeam RHK-EX-BA Rheobus-Extreme

The Sunbeam has the highest power output per channel @ 30W, which is more than enough for the 200mm. But I'm not fond of the blindingly bright LEDs found on this controller (My PC is under a desk across from my bed, and bright LEDs = less sleep). If I knew whether or not the 7W per channel output of the Zalman was adequate for the 200mm fan, I'd probably prefer that unit as the LEDs are not as bright as the Sunbeam. The Scythe seems nice, but I'm not sure how useful a temperature monitor would be seeing as RPMs are manually controlled. The Scythe has a max draw of 12W per channel (12V*1A per channel =12W), which I think would be enough for the 200mm, but I'd really like to be able to control more than four fans.

I'd consider modding the Sunbeam's knobs w/ new LEDs to tone down the brightness of the unit, but if I could avoid doing so by purchasing a different unit that would be great. After rereading my post, the Sunbeam is looking more and more like the best option of the three controllers I mentioned (cheapest too). If anyone knows of any other decent fan controllers, I?d appreciate a name and/or any links to e-tail or reviews. Also, if you know of any places where I can find decent advice on fan controllers, I?d love to hear about those as well.

Thanks,
Dia

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

I've used both the Zalman MFC1 and the Sunbeam Rheobus fan controllers. I stuck with the Sunbeams, and they haven't given me any problem over the past few years. The LEDs are bright, but there are mods to fix that (either changing out the LEDs or simply painting them with black nail polish [dims them]). Another good thing about the Sunbeams is that it is very easy to mod them onto an existing faceplate for the case so that they look like they came with the case.

 

[Tezzla]

I was thinking about the Scythe too, but the four channels seem a bit too few for me. I use an Antec Twelve Hundred, and I'd like to be able to control all 7 fans ( 3 intake, 2 exhaust and the top 200) with one controller. Is it possible to connect two fans to one channel?

 

[Zepper]

Fans should have a label on them that has at least the voltage and either current (Amps) or power (Watts) on it, so you can tell what you need for your 200mm fan just by looking at the label. Those large fans generally run at a slower max speed, so they may need less power than might be expected.
. My fan controller has an rpm readout on it and I like that feature. I also like the Rheobus and I use mine mainly for testing fans when they arrive. I like the 7V signal on it for a common, low-speed test point. The controller I have with the readout is no longer made, so naming it probably wouldn't be useful, but it's the Cooler Master Aerogate 3. Occasionally you'll find one on fleaBay, etc.

.bh.