[tubnotub1]

Ok, here is the questions. Lets assume you bought this little item here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowIm...Fan+%2D+Retail
and decided to go ahead and use it as a case fan. However, you did not want to use the provided fan speed controller as you dont have room for it, AND you do not have a extra 3 pin fan connector on your mobo. Now, if you only plug in the 4 pin molex and turn on the computer obviously the fan will turn on, but what duty cycle is it running at? 100%, 50%, how can you tell. I ask this questions because I am seeing higher temps with my tuniq then I expected. I have it hooked up to the mobo, but speedfan is reading the fan speed at 3000+ rpm which is obviously not possible with said fan. So... anyone know if its running at 100%, or is the only way to run it at 100% to use the supplied fan controller?

 

[shadowmelder]

It runs at 100% all the time if not connected to a controller because it is receiving the full wattage (12 volts by however many amps it draws). Fan controllers work by reducing the voltage that the fan receives, effectively controlling it's speed.

 

[Syrillian]

I have a few of those and did some experimenting. I switched the pins around for the molex, between the 5V and 12V lines. on the 12V line the fan was spinning at what seemed to be 90-100% compared to full throttle with a controller. On the 5V line, the fan spun rather lazily and was essentially useles for higher-end performace.

The standard running voltage is 12V, and the startup is 5V.

I use 3 of these in my case, 2 @ 1700rpm and 1 @1500rpm. I can differentiate the rpm's by the tone of the airflow...and of course by placing my hand in the airflow itself. Works wonders on the Noctua.

 

[tubnotub1]

*sigh* that is what I thought, but was kinda hoping it was the other way around... oh well, time to lap her. rep +