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Internal PWM fan controller with USB header

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GiveMeHope

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hey everyone..

I grow tired of my motherboard's very unreliable and always faulty PWM headers and just decided to end the terror and invest in a PWM fan controller.

I don't want anything to be visible from the outside, and certainly not a 5.25 bay controller. Just something that I could keep inside the case and connect to a USB header on the motherboard internally and control with a software so it can automatically increase speed as temperatures go up. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.
 
#2 ·
Have you tried speedfan on your motherboard? that would be the cheapest (free solution).

Only software PWM capable device I'm aware of is the aquero:
http://www.frozencpu.com/search.html?mv_profile=keyword_search&mv_session_id=obXHcFcI&searchspec=aquaero+6&go.x=-217&go.y=-126

But it is far from simple or user friendly, it would be like bringing a cannon to a BB gun fight. Way more power and features than you need. Also meant to use a drive bay, but you could mount it internally if you wanted.

It would be cheaper and probably easier to buy an ASUS motherboard and use their software if you can't get speedfan to work.

Speedfan is what I would suggest.
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
Yeah I've tried speedfan but for some reason it doesn't work. I've already invested in an expensive motherboard (G1 Sniper 5) so getting another board is out of the question.

The one you suggested is very expensive, I was thinking of something far cheaper (~$50). I wasn't thinking it could be very complicated, Corsair builds this into their H100i cooler.
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
#6 ·
Maybe, if it works. I just had terrible luck with link on my h100i sample. First it worked ok for a while, then decided to quit one day. later when upgrading to windows 8 I found out it was not supported at all.

Then later supposedly win 8 support was added yet I still could not get any communication to work.

It seems like usb communication is a difficult one to keep up with. The aquaero was not without USB bugs too, I had trouble with the 5 xt as well. One sample worked then the second would not finish flash. I must have tried 50 times on two different PCs and ended up with a dead controller.

I have not seen anyone try the bigger link, the idea sounds really good but I have just not had good luck with USB communications on fan controllers. I would take speedfan any day over dealing with USB issues.

you could always try though, for $50 it won't break the bank.
 
#10 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by blin2011a View Post

This unit looks like she is internal and is able to run off the 12V Molex connector programmed via internal USB to control up to 9 independent fans.

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/25195/bus-396/Aquacomputer_USB_Poweradjust_3_-_Standard_Version_53166.html
Click to expand...
Yeah, its just not PWM capable and is only a single output header. They are quite powerful though, they will run 9 fans for sure but not independently. The Ultra version is the one needed for auto speed control based on temps rather than the standard.

The Aquaero 5LT provides a single PWM output and 3 voltage outputs for a bit more than the OP is looking for but it is also far more capable than any other controller. I have never had any USB issues and it isn't strictly required for the device to work. Once programmed it just works independently til you want to change a setting.
I don't see why a fan controller should be any different to any other USB device. They always seem to work fine for me.

The newer Corsair commander mini is meant to be much improved over the original and provides several PWM headers. I think Stren or someone is reviewing it and will be posted sometime soon.
 
#12 ·
The NZXT Grid+ is absolutely amazing so far. There are a few drawbacks, such as the inability to control an individual fan (only the fans as a group) but it hasn't caused me any issue. My case fans are all plugged into it and are whisper quiet at idle, and barely audible under load. Kept heatsink fan hooked up to MOBO to control it seperately. The only sound from my case is a HDD that's dying as well as my 7 year old GPU I neglected to upgrade when I replaced everything else a few days ago (waiting on AMD 300 series, no point in spending on a GPU I'll just replace.)

If you still need an internal solution this is the most cost effective one I've seen at $40 for 30 watts over 6 channels.
 
#13 ·
Sorry to bump this post but I am trying to figure out if anyone ever found something like this. I have the Grid+ and its great. But I am planning on building out a custom liquid cooling system and replacing all of my fans with PWM Noctua. That way I can ramp the speeds down as low as I want. I know that aquacomputer does this, but I don't really want a 5.25 mounted fan controller, I want something internal and out of the way. I figure I could probably just use Asus' on board PWM because I hear its really good, but I really want a more permanent solution that I don't have to keep re-setting up everytime I upgrade my motherboard. If anyone knows of a good pwm usb controller, please let me know.
 
#15 ·
the aquaero is what I am gonna use more then likely as my case will have at least 10 fans up to 18 you can run multiple fans on one output example all the fans on a radiator same channel 4 fans on bottom side of the case same power supply the water pump should be an separate channel with the aquaero I can have set up to drive the fans at a speed regulated by water temp or water flow since I am going with really big radiators I will do it by flow but if I could get a really sharp curve might have the pump regulated by temp this way its totally hands off the USB is to program the device once programed its petty much self regulating so lets say a duel boot windows and linux program the unit in windows use Linux the device is not recognized but still works as programmed the aquaero also has an optional remote

if you building a new system and plan on having this unit installed rather or not you are installing this unit from the start order the water loop parts and put them in regardless or you will have to play with the loop later the main unit is a bit expensive so system build with all the special loop hard ware original fan controller a basic manual for a month or 2 then get the aquaero witch is not gonna be hard to install since all the loop hardware will be installed and its some cable mangement witch can be pre wired and just swap a few connections done note for safety reasons I suspect the default for all channels is at max so depending on your system cover your ears for a moment

lets face it I am planing on a few fans that can do 70 CFM but can throttled down to 25 for idle and gaming might max out at 50 cfm 70 CFM is their if I get a dust build up or piece of paper blocks a fan or 2 the rest of the fans can pick up the slack until the problem is dealt with NEVER build just enough cooling you have to factor in hot summer days desk clutter and dust build up with filters as they will clog if you a dog or cat its even worse you can always turn a fan down and you can turn a few of them off if needed but the max is the max if you need more and do not have it you have a problem this is why water loops tend to be so over the top

one of my 2 radiators should be able cool 80 percent of my system but that is with stock fans and a typical pump now throw in a 1000 liter per pump and a 4 100 cfm fans on each 480 mm radiator now that is allot of reserve cooling the two loops are a threadripper cpu and an asus mother board with an advanced network card that will likely be the standard in a year or 2
 
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