Akasa All-In-One 21 Function Panel controlling 4 fans - problematic?

Plec · 26 Apr 2009 at 15:31

I want to quieten my new upgrade. Although most of the components are new i stuck with my, aging, but perfectly adequate Coolermaster Praetorian case - this incarnation:

I want to finally get round to replacing the 4 noisy fans that came with the above case plus add a fan-control unit so that i can make it really quiet when working/browsing.

I'm interested in the Akasa All-In-One 21 Function Panel as it looks a tidy panel, within budget, plus, it has built in card readers which would save some space on my desk. My only concern is that it has only 2 fan connectors/controllers and obvioulsy i have 4 fans - 2 intakes at the front and 2 exhaust fans: one at the top and one to the rear of the case.

My question is: Will the panel operate properly if i connect a splitter to each connection so that 2 fans are connected to one controller? Will the controller be able to cope and how would it interpret the rpm information with 2 fans joined up?

I'm still undecided on fan choice - but i know i don't want to spend more than £5 on each fan as the spec was built on a budget deliberately. Suggestions or experiences of fans would be welcome.

Plec

PaulyD · 27 Apr 2009 at 11:38

Should work fine and will read RPM of the first fan

Plec · 27 Apr 2009 at 12:10

Thanks for the relpy, PaulyD.

PaulyD said:
will read RPM of the first fan

How does it manage this - when they're both connected by a splitter? (i'm guessing here - and just interested how it works.)

It will be great if it does do this as the fans will all be tha same make and version so essentially they'll be running at the same rpm so i will only need one fan being red on each split.

Plec

Wiggins · 27 Apr 2009 at 14:03

Why not buy a Zalman ZM-MFC1 Plus Silver Multi Fan Controller?

The all-in-one looks a bit gimicky and the above controller will give power to 6+ fans. More than 6 fans will require splitters.

It then gives you scope if you ever upgrade to more fans.

Plec · 27 Apr 2009 at 15:50

I really need the card readers included - it would save me space in my case if the 2 were incorperated together.

I agree the Akasa doesn't look as well engineered as the zalman but it has most of the features i need. It's a shame it doesn't support more fans but if it can be adapted to work 4 fans with splitters it should be ok for my needs.

Unless, there is another similar styled model out there with card readers included and runs 4 fans that i've missed?

Thanks for the reply.

Plec

Plec · 27 Apr 2009 at 16:09

I've just gone to the akasa site and they have a new version out called the AK-ALL-02SL and looks better engineered. It controls 3 fans which would probably be enough - i could live without one of the intake fans.

I missed it on the OC's site as it's over my budget - but it looks like it's worth the extra £10. (Better images of it on the akasa site)

Plec