This look like a good fan controller?

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archcommus

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2003
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http://svc.com/uc-a8fatr4.html

Seems to do everything I want, controls four fans AND displays RPMs and temps, and it's only 35 bucks! Does this seem like a good buy or would you recommend against that model?

On a similar note do you recommend using one of these at all? Seems like a good idea to me, I have an 80mm exhaust, dual 80mm intakes, and an 80mm Tt Smart Fan, all at max speed, I need the cooling but it's sort of loud. Right now I'm at about 44 idle/51 load (that's with a 400 and some MHz overclock). So I figure if I use a controller to dial everything down while I'm idle, I might be around 50/51 C ALL the time (idle with fans low, and under load with fans high). What do you think?
 
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Sokratz

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Mar 24, 2004
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Originally posted by: archcommus87
http://svc.com/uc-a8fatr4.html

Seems to do everything I want, controls four fans AND displays RPMs and temps, and it's only 35 bucks! Does this seem like a good buy or would you recommend against that model?

On a similar note do you recommend using one of these at all? Seems like a good idea to me, I have an 80mm exhaust, dual 80mm intakes, and an 80mm Tt Smart Fan, all at max speed, I need the cooling but it's sort of loud. Right now I'm at about 44 idle/51 load (that's with a 400 and some MHz overclock). So I figure if I use a controller to dial everything down while I'm idle, I might be around 50/51 C ALL the time (idle with fans low, and under load with fans high). What do you think?
Click to expand...

I personally never quite understood what good know the rpm of the fan is. I guess if you're trying to match it with another fan then it's good, but then why not just put it on the same controlled line.

The temp monitor is nice but only as how acurate you place the diodes.

it looks good though, and i'm assumin the real reason you want this is so it can quiet things down. I think there was a post within the last day that had a link to toms hardware where these were all compared. It didn't have any real conclusion but it did have more information.

btw, i was going to get that one before i got a sunbeam rheobus. I like the sunbeam because it's simple, and 20w per channel is pretty nice.
 
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archcommus

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2003
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$10 eh? Well the only place Pricegrabber found it at for $10 was, uh, http://cables4pc.com . LOL. Look at the site and you'll see why I'm laughing.

I could find a few fan controllers for cheaper than that, but remember I want an LCD display as well to show temps.

Do you recommend even using a rheobus in the first place? Is getting a temp LCD display worth it?
 
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Degrador

Senior member
Jun 15, 2004
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Try the superflower fan master. It does the same as the enermax, but comes with better looks imho. Not to mention that it has 5 face plates and 7 led display colours to match whatever you're after. It's also a little cheaper (well here in Aus it is), but not by much. You can also change what the alarm temps are for the monitors too.

I have one, in case you hadn't realised :). And I do highly recommend it as a great fan controller.
 
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archcommus

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2003
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Well, that SuperFlower is the cheapest controller SVC has that also had an LCD display and temp probes, and the reviews seem good, so I guess there's no reason not to get it. But I need to know some things first which might be hard to find out.

Max wattage per channel?
Voltage range?
Connections? 3-pin, 4-pin, or just bare wires?

It's been hard to find this info in the reviews I've read.
 
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klah

Diamond Member
Aug 13, 2002
7,070
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Originally posted by: Sokratz

I personally never quite understood what good know the rpm of the fan is. I guess if you're trying to match it with another fan then it's good, but then why not just put it on the same controlled line.
Click to expand...
Most of these controllers go down to 4-5V which will not start a 12cm fan, so its nice to see if the fan has started or stalled.



Originally posted by: Cawchy87

i wouldn't pay over 10 dollars for a fan controller. Look for the vantec nexus
Click to expand...
I would not recommend that model if you are attempting to quiet your machine as it produces an annoying buzzing noise. Search google for vantec nexus buzzing.
 
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Dman877

Platinum Member
Jan 15, 2004
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Most of what fan controllers do can be done without them. That's been my experience anyway... case is cleaner without all those extra wires.
 
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archcommus

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2003
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Is it really that much messier? Actually it seems like it'd be better, it sort of acts as a central power hub for all your fans, then the controller just gets one molex itself.

What they do can only be done without them with something like a Zalman FanMate. Don't really want to open my case every time I want to turn up/down the fans.
 
0roo0roo

0roo0roo

No Lifer
Sep 21, 2002
64,795
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wires aren't that hard to hide. wiring for 7v mod is not a solution comparble to a knob:p
 
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archcommus

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2003
8,115
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So what's the general consensus here? Do more people use these than not or vice versa? I'm still trying to figure out if I even want one.

If I do get one I think I'll get that Enermax, though. Can handle up to 10W per channel, four channels, and I think four temp probes. Speaking of that, how do you go about placing the probes? For the CPU, HDD, mobo, case, and video card (would only actually be doing three or four of those). Can I place the CPU sensor properly without having to remove my heatsink?
 
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lobadobadingdong

Lifer
Aug 27, 2002
10,043
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I use the 7v mod personally (because I'm broke and it's good enough for my application) you can make your own speed controller with a 3W 50 or 80 Ohm rheostat, they are easy to hide (you can mount it on the rear of you case for adjustments on the fly) and keep cable management cleaner.
 
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archcommus

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2003
8,115
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Eh, the 7V mod seems a little too risky for me. And I'd have to mess with a switch of some sort to be able to go to full speed when I want to. Plus I want to do this for all my fans, not just my CPU fan: 80mm exhaust, two 80mm intakes, and an 80mm CPU fan.

I've ruled out the SuperFlower because of the heat issues I read about when using powerful fans. However I'm still undecided between the Enermax or some kind of Sunbeam. Insight on the matter is welcome.

Of course I haven't set one up yet, but I would assume a rheostat would make it easier to cable neatly. Instead of having to have a separate lead going to each fan, all your fans are plugged into the central hub, with only ONE molex going to that. Doesn't that simplify things and make it so that your fan connectors aren't all over the place in the case?

Also, when choosing a fan controller, I definitely want one with an LCD display and temp probes, as well. I'd like to be able to see temps at anytime without ever having something like MBM 5 running. Just so long as I could correctly place the probes.
 
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archcommus

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2003
8,115
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76
Originally posted by: LIVAN
What do you think of this one over at Xoxide? http://store.yahoo.com/xoxide/kibllcdfanco.html Should match my Kingwin case well.

----------------



Don't buy from Xoxide, a bunch of slime balls.

Buyer Beware.

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=45&threadid=1376984&highlight_key=y&keyword1=xoxide
Click to expand...

Thanks for that heads-up.

Well the Sunbeams don't have temp monitoring, and the SunFlower could have heat issues with high-powered fans. So it looks like I'll go with the Enermax that I linked to in my first post. Unless anyone has another suggestion, possibly a Tt controller?

Can anyone give me some info on where/how to place the temp probes? If I get four I'll do CPU, case, HDD, and video card, if only three I won't do the HDD.
 
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