Is there any way to get more fan controllers, controlled by the system?

990 Views 11 Replies 5 Participants Last post by xd_1771, Nov 27, 2009

xd_1771

Discussion Starter · Nov 23, 2009

My current motherboard (790XT-UD4P, it's a good one) only has two system fan connectors, which are as of now both empty; however in time I will have obtained enough fans to take advantage of my entire Coolermaster cm 690 case (7 case fans) and there's just too few fan connectors on the motherboard. Is there any way to expand this, with the fans being controlled by the system? (Preferably a 4 or 5 fan connector module since I already have two on my mobo). I've seen fan controllers at my nearby computer store, but they're manually controlled with knobs and I'd rather have these fans connected to the power supply and freely spinning than have to manually adjust them. Any thoughts, people?

Another question: If fans are connected via the 4-pin peripheral connector to the power supply, is it spinning full speed? (I'm pretty sure my fans are all 12V)

Also, as a side note, I purchase from NCIX (they're popular online in Canada but they also have store locations in my area). Since I know most of you are going to post stuff from Newegg or whatever, is it possible to let me know if that's also available on NCIX or not? If it's a higher price on NCIX, I can price match, so no need to worry about that.

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Bazmecc

· #2 · Nov 23, 2009

when I had some fans connected to the fan only PSU connectors on an Antec PSU, they spun slow...I think the more power draw the faster the spun (up to their max rpm)

have you tried getting fans that let you attach other fans to them, in a chain link? the Arctic cooling fans have that

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xd_1771

Discussion Starter · #3 · Nov 23, 2009

No, I didn't know you could do that.... but does that allow you to automatically control all your fans and/or have them spin full speed?

Also, should I resort to a 4 or 5-slot fan controller that uses manually-turned knobs, rather than using the power supply? From what I've seen (how slow the fans are spinning) and what you've said, I think this might be the optimal choice for now...

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tagurtoast

· #4 · Nov 23, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bazmecc

Dont do that because the MOBO fan headers will overload and possibly ruin your MOBO fan controller.

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Tom1121

· #5 · Nov 23, 2009

You can buy some of these.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16812189063

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xd_1771

Discussion Starter · #6 · Nov 23, 2009

Yea, I've heard of those... I've tried searching those Y connectors on NCIX... and haven't found any so far. I can't find that Link Depot one on NCIX either, so I might as well just order from Newegg in case I do decide to use those.
The problem is, if I use those to connect up to 4 fans to my motherboard or an external controller... will it ruin my controller? I know that it depends on the fans being used and how much power they draw.
My current fan setup:
2x Scythe Kaze Jyuni Slipstream 1200RPM
3x Coolermaster CM 690 stock fans [came with the case]
And to add on later:
1x Xigmatek XLF-F1455 140MM fan, to replace the current fan on the side slot
1x Delta 80MMX15MM Low Speed Fan (The only 80x15mm fan on NCIX that will fit in the fan slot behind my motherboard on the CM 690).

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Bazmecc

· #7 · Nov 23, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by tagurtoast

Dont do that because the MOBO fan headers will overload and possibly ruin your MOBO fan controller.

unless I'm completely mistaken, I doubt 7 watts max load will damage the header since I only have 2 fans chained to each header the most, it's easier to control with Speedfan that way

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iandh

· #8 · Nov 23, 2009

Arctic cooling makes daisy chain PWM fans... you can get PWM signal from your mobo, and power from your molex.

It's called "PWM sharing"

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=CA-F12PPWM

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Tom1121

· #9 · Nov 23, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by iandh

Arctic cooling makes daisy chain PWM fans... you can get PWM signal from your mobo, and power from your molex.

It's called "PWM sharing"

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=CA-F12PPWM

Link isn't what it's supposed to be lol. But i know what he's talking about, and that's probably the best thing. You could buy a rheobus fan controller, 4 of the y adapters, and control em with a knob. Thats what I did and I couldn't be happier.

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iandh

· #10 · Nov 23, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom1121

LOL it is. He isn't talking about buying a fan controller, he's talking about controlling more fans off of the mobo header.

The fans have the same PWM splitter shown in your post, but these fans have it built in so less wire clutter.

They're also pretty good fans for the price.

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xd_1771

Discussion Starter · #11 · Nov 24, 2009

Sounds good, but I'm not exactly interested in buying even more fans... that could end up costing more money and I wouldn't know what to do with my current fans. I'm also not intent on risking by motherboard fan controller and I'm worried that if I overload the fans, the fan controller could end up dying on me along with my CPU and other fans, most esp. if during an important time... which could cause items to burn out in the worst situation.

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xd_1771

Discussion Starter · #12 · Nov 27, 2009

*bump*
Also, my CPU fan can be PWM controlled... how fast can you spin this thing? Any word?

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