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Confused... Please Help? :(

2K views 18 replies 7 participants last post by  cgipson1 
#1 ·
I'm confused. I mean I get what PWM is, but the Asus Z87-Plus mobo I'm using is handling the CPU cooler I put in it just fine and its just a 3 Pin.. Its twin fans are quiet unless it revs up when it needs to. So I was about to find out where to get a pack of the fans I decided I liked... when I noticed all the fan ports are PWM four pin. Do I need PWM fans for my case if I decide to plug them into my mobo?

Recently I've had this problem where the room this computer is in will get really really hot. It has to do with the crappy way this house is designed, and it happens when I'm not in the room to manually turn down the fans like I usually do with the controllers I've always used. So I thought, I have two choices.

1.) I can connect them all individually and try to figure out the damn Asus fan controlling software. I really am having trouble figuring out how to use that. I may need help getting it to work. I connected a 3 pin fan to one of the standard mobo fan connectors, and tried to get it to work through the software but I couldn't get it to work right.

2.) The other option is to connect the fan controller I'm using to a PWM controller, since it allows the user to individually switch over any and all channels to the motherboard's PWM controller. But even then would I have to figure out how to figure out that stupid fan software? Or can I just tell it to work without the software in the bios... or what ever Asus is calling it these days.
 
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#2 ·
PWM connectors will handle either 4 pin PWM fans or 3-pin fans with no problems.



Usually on ASUS boards, it is recommended that you go into the BIOS Monitor section and set any three pin fans to Advanced... so that it will just use voltage, and not PWM signal.

The Fan Expert 2 software is flaky... and there is a question as to whether the PWM ports are "true" PWM compatible on some ASUS boards. If you setup the Fan Expert 2... it will work... especially if you just control speed manually with it.

I finally gave up, and just installed hardware fan controllers...
 
#3 ·
hello,

I've had a few, but will try to anser best I can. It would prob. be best to use a fan controller, rather then rely on Asus, fanxpert......I use it......etc....

I know what your talking about , the board having 4 pins, most fans being 3.....kinda sucks....

I bought me two mascools......put them on my motherboard 4pin...plugs....'(they where 3 pin, with what they called a 4 pin adaptor, but that was just for the power, not control like your talking about)

Im guessing now, about where your probably. are, and where I'm at.....I'm overclocked enough that....I'm not worried about voltage...I'm worried about heat....and that outside ambient temperature really plays a factor.

But like your talking about on the 1st.....I use the software , fans are req. and they do run like I ask them to with the sottware..I planted them both on the side to directly blow on the motherboard.......the problem? absolutely no change......I'd be better off dropping my central air, then buying them fans that just blow warm heat into my rig.

SO at least go fan controller bay
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#4 ·
Quote:
The Fan Expert 2 software is flaky...
In what way ? It works great on my board. On my board, the socket temp is the governing temp for both the cpu and chassis fans. If you have fans that can spin up on low voltage, you do need to set in bios the minimum fan duty cycle(or what ever its called) percentage. And set up the max temp you feel comfortable with. Then its just a matter of going into fanXpert and moving the bars. I have my graphs (both cpu and chassis) set up so that the fans are low (flat) until about 40C, then its linear up to 55C (about 10C before the max comfort temp level) Works like a charm and its smooth.

In regards to the OPs question, yes regular 3 pin connectors work fine on 4 pin headers, unless wired up wrong.
 
#5 ·
Ive ALWAYS had good luck with the Asus Fan Xpert..

but thats it just asus.... gigabyte, asrock, and msi are all hokey. especially ASRock... theirs just sucks....

If i were you, you were me, and we were free, id get an 8-way pwm splitter like Swiftech's and just control one off of the cpu in bios....

simple, easy, effective
 
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#6 ·
Quote:
id get an 8-way pwm splitter like Swiftech's and just control one off of the cpu in bios....
Unless youre using 8 small fans, thats a lot of current on the fan header that can burn out the header traces. Back in the old days, some fan headers could only handle 3 watt fans max. Theyre a lot better now, but still cant carry super heavy amperage.
 
#7 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by cpmee View Post

Unless youre using 8 small fans, thats a lot of current on the fan header that can burn out the header traces. Back in the old days, some fan headers could only handle 3 watt fans max. Theyre a lot better now, but still cant carry super heavy amperage.
The swiftech PWM splitter that was mentioned by BadTaylorX, has it's own power input (a SATA power connector, if I remember correctly). And it still works well with PWM. But you make a good point about mobo headers... and the limited amperage they can handle!
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http://www.swiftech.com/8-waypwmsplitter.aspx

Interesting.. this link shows Molex, and yet the ones I have have a SATA power adapter....
 
#8 ·
Swiftech have both molex and sata connecters.

You can also use PWM splitters with PSU power like Gelid. 2+ can be used with splitter or daisy-chain. PWM signal will work with 8 fans. More than that can be problematic depending on mobo PWM signal strength and signal strength requirement of each fan. I do not recommend the Akasa PWM splitters because they terminate 5 leads into single pin with no stress relief and leads end up breaking off.
http://www.gelidsolutions.com/products/index.php?lid=2&cid=11&id=63
 
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#9 ·
Yeah, I don't want all my fans controlled by the CPU controller. Reason is I plan on stressing the video card out a lot more than the CPU and already am.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cgipson1 View Post

The Fan Expert 2 software is flaky... and there is a question as to whether the PWM ports are "true" PWM compatible on some ASUS boards. If you setup the Fan Expert 2... it will work... especially if you just control speed manually with it.
I really want to do this, but I was having trouble with Fan Expert 2, I just didn't get the interface. It looks all modern and slick though

This case has... I think its 200mm on the front and top and 200mm on the top stock... it could be 180. I don't remember, but they're both 3 pin fans. There's also 2x 120 on the side and a 1x120 on the back. I want to buy three fans for those, plus an internal fan to move the video card heat up to the exhaust fans, since it doesn't have its own exhaust. I can optionally have 2x120 on the top and front as well. The stock large fans seem to be doing an okay enough job so I don't see the need to replace them. The two stock large fans are 3 pin. You're saying that Fan Xpert 2 won't have a problem with 3 pin? Can I double up two fans on one fan socket or will that mess up Xpert?

Few other questions. Does Fan Xpert2 know how hot the graphics card is and include that into the case fan adjusting process? That would be awesome. Also, I haven't bought ANY fans yet. Been putting it off cause I found some spares but they suck. lol I'd like to do this soon. So if PWM fans will work better, then please let me know! Also I'd like to try to have positive pressure to help with dust problems... its already annoying. I figure that shouldn't be hard with 3 intakes and two exhaust.

If (when) I have trouble with Fan Xpert 2, is there someone here who can help me me through it? Sorry, I don't mean to be a pain.
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I'm not even sure what fans to get. I like the cougars... but I did want a tiny bit more RPM than that, this room has gotten really hot a few times. Maybe as high as 1500 RPM? The Geled's look nice, but are they really as good as people say they are? They don't seem to have have less CFM than the cougars despite their higher RPM... which is confusing. Is their CFM higher but Cougar is just lying about it?
confused.gif


GELID Solutions FN-FW12-15-B - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835426018
COUGAR CF-V12HB Vortex - www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835553005
 
#10 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Drahadis View Post

Yeah, I don't want all my fans controlled by the CPU controller. Reason is I plan on stressing the video card out a lot more than the CPU and already am.
I really want to do this, but I was having trouble with Fan Expert 2, I just didn't get the interface. It looks all modern and slick though

This case has... I think its 200mm on the front and top and 200mm on the top stock... it could be 180. I don't remember, but they're both 3 pin fans. There's also 2x 120 on the side and a 1x120 on the back. I want to buy three fans for those, plus an internal fan to move the video card heat up to the exhaust fans, since it doesn't have its own exhaust. I can optionally have 2x120 on the top and front as well. The stock large fans seem to be doing an okay enough job so I don't see the need to replace them. The two stock large fans are 3 pin. You're saying that Fan Xpert 2 won't have a problem with 3 pin? Can I double up two fans on one fan socket or will that mess up Xpert?

Few other questions. Does Fan Xpert2 know how hot the graphics card is and include that into the case fan adjusting process? That would be awesome. Also, I haven't bought ANY fans yet. Been putting it off cause I found some spares but they suck. lol I'd like to do this soon. So if PWM fans will work better, then please let me know! Also I'd like to try to have positive pressure to help with dust problems... its already annoying. I figure that shouldn't be hard with 3 intakes and two exhaust.

If (when) I have trouble with Fan Xpert 2, is there someone here who can help me me through it? Sorry, I don't mean to be a pain.
frown.gif


I'm not even sure what fans to get. I like the cougars... but I did want a tiny bit more RPM than that, this room has gotten really hot a few times. Maybe as high as 1500 RPM? The Geled's look nice, but are they really as good as people say they are? They don't seem to have have less CFM than the cougars despite their higher RPM... which is confusing. Is their CFM higher but Cougar is just lying about it?
confused.gif


GELID Solutions FN-FW12-15-B - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835426018
COUGAR CF-V12HB Vortex - www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835553005
I will help if I can.... but like I said, I quit using Fan Exert 2.

I had all fans on mobo (Z87 WS board) headers (with a AIO pump on the main CPU header and the rad fans on the CPU Option header)... fan expert could not see the rad fans... even though the splitter I used only had a tach wire on one side. All fans were PWM Corsairs (SP120s). Fan expert couldn't see the pump either... although bios could, and showed RPM. I also had an issue where two identical fans on two different headers... Fan Expert showed one accurately... but showed one as a max 400 RPM, and would not change the speed... I tried several different fans there. Bios saw it accurately, but FE2 did not.

Haven't used the Cougars... so can't say much! I have used Gelids in the past.. and they are extremely high quality fans. Very nice!
 
#11 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by cpmee View Post

In what way ? It works great on my board. On my board, the socket temp is the governing temp for both the cpu and chassis fans. If you have fans that can spin up on low voltage, you do need to set in bios the minimum fan duty cycle(or what ever its called) percentage. And set up the max temp you feel comfortable with. Then its just a matter of going into fanXpert and moving the bars. I have my graphs (both cpu and chassis) set up so that the fans are low (flat) until about 40C, then its linear up to 55C (about 10C before the max comfort temp level) Works like a charm and its smooth.

In regards to the OPs question, yes regular 3 pin connectors work fine on 4 pin headers, unless wired up wrong.
^ This. I use fan expert 2 and it works well.

If you have a PWM header, a three pin non-PWM fan will work with it, but it may be at maximum speed - uncontrollable from BIOS or fan expert.
 
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#12 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by GeneO View Post

^ This. I use fan expert 2 and it works well.

If you have a PWM header, a three pin non-PWM fan will work with it, but it may be at maximum speed - uncontrollable from BIOS or fan expert.
On every "recent" ASUS board I have used, there is an option in the BIOS (Auto under the Monitoriing menu) that allows the PWM headers to work pretty well with 3-pin fans... it does allow speed control, at least on the fans I have tried it with (at least on some of the headers, lol!)

From the Maximus VI Extreme manual
 
#13 ·
Well my P8-Z68 pro didn't.

Neither does my Hero. But it has a switch on the CPU fan headers that detects 3 or 4 pin fans.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cgipson1 View Post

On every ASUS board I have used, there is an option in the BIOS (Auto under the Monitoriing menu) that allows the PWM headers to work pretty well with 3-pin fans... it does allow speed control, at least on the fans I have tried it with (at least on some of the headers, lol!)

From the Maximus VI Extreme manual
 
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#14 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by GeneO View Post

Well my P8-Z68 pro didn't.

Neither does my Hero. But it has a switch on the CPU fan headers that detects 3 or 4 pin fans.
A "switch" on your CPU fan headers? Interesting...I checked the P8Z68 Pro manual and see no mention of switches on the CPU fan headers. Checked the Hero Manual too.. no switches noted. Not saying you don't have switches... Manufacturers sometimes will do something like that and not update the documentation. Just interesting. I do see that both of these boards only have PWM on the CPU fan / CPU optional Headers... the other headers don't have PWM capability, even though some have four pins... odd. I wish the manufacturers would use some standards... but I guess pricing precludes some things.

P8Z68 pro http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/LGA1155/P8Z68-V_PRO/E6696_P8Z68-V_PRO.pdf page 2-26


Maximus Hero http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/LGA1150/MAXIMUS-VI-HERO/E8459_Maximus_VI_Hero.pdf Page 1-42
 
#15 ·
Quote:
The two stock large fans are 3 pin. You're saying that Fan Xpert 2 won't have a problem with 3 pin? Can I double up two fans on one fan socket or will that mess up Xpert?
Yes, Fan Xpert 2 has no problem with 3 pin as far as the fans Ive put on it, or 2 pin fans for that matter.
Yes, you can double up two fans on one fan socket, (as long as you stay within sensible amperage limits) but for accurate rpm readings youll have to remove the yellow rpm wire from one of them.
Quote:
Few other questions. Does Fan Xpert2 know how hot the graphics card is and include that into the case fan adjusting process? That would be awesome.
Nope it doesnt, just cpu temp. To control case fan speed based on graphics card temperature, youll need a fan (or fan controller) with an external stick on sensor on it, like the old Thermaltake fans had. Then the trick becomes where to stick that sensor on the graphics card so that the case fan will respond in the manner of the case temperature ranges you want, heh. All the external fan sensors Ive had were just 10K thermistors on sticky tape and you can stick a pot in line with them if youre careful.

Quote:
The swiftech PWM splitter that was mentioned by BadTaylorX, has it's own power input (a SATA power connector, if I remember correctly). And it still works well with PWM. But you make a good point about mobo headers... and the limited amperage they can handle! thumb.gif

http://www.swiftech.com/8-waypwmsplitter.aspx

Interesting.. this link shows Molex, and yet the ones I have have a SATA power adapter....
Thats a decent value for what it is, thanks for the link.
 
#16 ·
#17 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by GeneO View Post

@cgipson1

I didn't say the P8Z68-Pro had switches. It doesn't, they only control PWM like I said.

For the Hero, no, they don't note it in the manual. Her is an image of it. Look at the fourth image on this page:

http://us.hardware.info/productinfo/186853/asus-maximus-vi-hero#tab:photos
Wasn't sure which one you meant so I checked both out of curiosity. Interesting... switch is even activated by the 4-pin plug... cool! Nice to know that....
 
#18 ·
Ugh... I totally forgot that my CPU cooler came with a splitter than changed it to 3 pin and that I had to change it to advanced which worked with the 3 pin. I'm going to connect the rear fan to the secondary CPU fan header so it spins up in sync with the CPU fans. They're perfectly aligned anyway. That means I have 1 fan header for each fan in the case.... accept the CPU cooler which has a 140 and a 120mm both on one CPU fan header.

So yeah, I guess I can use 3 pins after all. I'll try using Fan Xpert 2 and and see if I can figure it out. Maybe there's something I missed.
 
#19 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Drahadis View Post

Ugh... I totally forgot that my CPU cooler came with a splitter than changed it to 3 pin and that I had to change it to advanced which worked with the 3 pin. I'm going to connect the rear fan to the secondary CPU fan header so it spins up in sync with the CPU fans. They're perfectly aligned anyway. That means I have 1 fan header for each fan in the case.... accept the CPU cooler which has a 140 and a 120mm both on one CPU fan header.

So yeah, I guess I can use 3 pins after all. I'll try using Fan Xpert 2 and and see if I can figure it out. Maybe there's something I missed.
Good... glad the advice about the "advanced" worked out for you! Doesn't really matter tha much about mixing fan sizes on the header like that... they will just run at their own respective speeds.
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