pj_rage

I've just ordered a san ace H101 to use with a megahalem cooler, and I'm looking into how I'm going to control the fan. Looking around, I see a lot of manual fan controllers, but I haven't really stumbled across something I would have assumed existed - a temperature-sensing fan controller?

I just want a single channel fan controller that will ramp the fan up to 100% when the temp gets above XXX, or scale it down accordingly when the the temps are low. I figure it would come with a temperature probe that I would stick on the cooler somewhere, or possibly utilize the cpu header on the mobo or something to grab a voltage that is relative to the cpu temp.

Does such a product exist, or do I need to make my own?

It appears that the mobo cpu fan header has a 4th pin to accomplish this (manual calls the 4th pin "quiet fan"?), but I don't think the san ace has 4 wires (I think it only has power, ground, and rpm). I'm also not sure that the mobo header can power this fan, but I've already sent that question in to ASRock. Assuming it CAN power it, is there a way to rig the wiring so that the mobo will control the fan speed based on temperature?

I can't remember the model number off hand, but for my last system, an athlon 64 3500+, I had a thermaltake fan/heatsink that did just what I want this new setup to do too... it adjusted the heatsink fan speed based on temperature. This type of setup is more convenient than me trying to handle it myself with a knob.

Chunky_Chimp

The Alphacool Heatmaster, T-Balancer big/NG, and Aquaero can all do what you ask (and then some). They're horribly expensive though (especially the Aquaero), so only go for it if you REALLY need something that can do that.

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pj_rage

Ah, I hadn't found those yet. Thanks for the tips.

They are expensive though, for what I'm trying to do.

How did my old fan do this just being plugged into the mobo? I can't achieve the same effect on this system? I think the mobo just adjusted the voltage output to the cpu fan header (using 3 pins I think) based on cpu temp... do the new mobos not offer this? Or does it not work very well or something? Even if the cpu fan header output isn't powerful enough to drive the fan, a simple amplifier design should work I would think (use the mobo cpu fan header output as an input signal which drives separate circuitry that drives the fan). I'm surprised no one makes something like that. Is there no demand? Does anyone else wish there was an affordable setup to do what I'm thinking of, or does everyone not really care and are content constantly adjusting their fan knobs?

Shadowclock

There is a similar controller on my list of fan controllers in my sticky guide (1st link in sig). You should read the guide if you haven't but here is a shortcut to the controller I am referring to.

http://www.scythe-usa.com/product/ac...01_detail.html

However, it does not change your fan speed automatically, it merely gives you a temperature warning when it reaches a certain temp.

Your CPU fan header is what will do this for you. Most mobos can control fans up to 1 amp and the San Ace is well within that range so you should be fine but you should definitely check your mobo manual or call the manufacturer to make sure what the fan header can handle.

Most of us usually find a happy medium where we set our fans at so that the dBA isn't too high but yet keeps our CPU at a cool temp under heavy gaming and such. I know my fan sounds fine and cools great around 60% speed....and I have the San Ace.

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pj_rage

Thanks Shadow. I have read your guide and it's great - thanks a lot for putting it together!!

So you just use a normal manual fan controller set to 60% pretty much all the time and that works good for you? Why not use the cpu header if that would work too?

If the cpu mobo header can vary the speed based on temp as I'm looking for, then why don't you use this option? Is there a downfall to using it in the way I'm thinking as opposed to using a manual controller? (This is assuming the header can in fact provide enough current ... I've already emailed my mobo manufacturer and I'm awaiting a response).

Shadowclock

I have even done 30 minutes of Prime 95 to see if the 60% speed could handle it and it does, so I am not scared to leave my house with it at that speed and my computer still running.

I like it on the controller so that my CPU fan header doesn't start running my San Ace full blast when I don't want it to. I am sure I can set the speed depending on temperatures somewhere with some software but it is just as easy to just run it at a safe 60% and not having to worry about a software change not running or breaking. Peace of mind I guess and I like being in control?

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pj_rage

Fair enough

If ASRock tells me the header can handle it, I'll probably try that first and see how I like it. If it's good, great, if it's mostly annoying, I'll go manual.