Case fan control

Ian Jones · 17 Aug 2016 at 23:05

Hi all, I would like to be able to slow down my case fans more to make them quite.

I have a bitfenix raider case, and I'm using the standard fan control on the case. But even on the slowest setting they are going quite fast, and on full power it is like a chopper taking off.

Is there any way to control them so I can slow them down for quite times, and speed them up if needed for gaming please. Something automatic via temptress would be nice.

Thanks
Ian

Tealc · 18 Aug 2016 at 06:47

What fans and how many?

Ideally you'd have the fans all hooked up to the CPU fan PWM and when that gets hotter the fans get faster.

Phanteks do a hub that allows multiple 3 pin fans to be hooked up to a single PWM signal, allowing simple control. Before Phanteks launched this device I designed a similar device, pictured in my signature that does a similar thing but does allow you to dial back the fan speed curve of attached fans.

Relentless81 · 18 Aug 2016 at 07:15

Inside the above mentioned hub, simple and brilliant does exactly what I need it to

doyll · 18 Aug 2016 at 10:05

Tealc's PWM controlled variable voltage adapter is better than Phanteks hub because fan speed curve can be adjusted.
Your Z77 has 4 variable voltage fan headers. Why not use them to control case fans? I'm not familiar with Z77, but most MSI have fan control in the 'Control Center' utility software.

Smffy · 18 Aug 2016 at 11:48

As above in the Mobo BIOS or software, linked to CPU temps usually to scale up or down. If you want more freedom/ease with the connection of fans get a hub and again its easily possible to do so.

But yeah it links to CPU temp usually so its silent on desktop/idle but ramps up to cool in games/applications.

Bickaxe · 18 Aug 2016 at 13:10

Another option is to use a bay controller as you have a few 5.25" bays

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/air-cooling/fans/fan-controllers?sPage=1&sSort=3

doyll · 18 Aug 2016 at 14:08

Manual control is so old school. GPU and CPU have used automatic fan speed control for donkey's years now. It only makes sense to control the case fans the same way so these components always get the airflow they need.

Ian Jones · 18 Aug 2016 at 16:22

thank s all

i have 2 x 200mm and 2 x 120mm bitfenix fans

Ian Jones · 18 Aug 2016 at 17:52

I tried to use the msi command centre, but my motherboard does not support it

Ian Jones · 18 Aug 2016 at 17:54

the fans on my cpu cooler are plugged into the board (cpufan), but even at idle the fan isnt really going slow

Tealc · 18 Aug 2016 at 18:48

Ian Jones said:
the fans on my cpu cooler are plugged into the board (cpufan), but even at idle the fan isnt really going slow

Maybe the fans on your CPU cooler are not matched to the setting in your BIOS ie PWM/Voltage Control.

What cooler is it? What fans do you have on it?

Edit: I see you have the K2 Mount Doom. If you are using the stock fans then make sure the BIOS is set to PWM and reduce the fan response value appropriately.

Ian Jones · 18 Aug 2016 at 19:45

hi, yes they are the stock fans.

it looks like they are the cpu fans that are making the noise.

I used speed fan to turn them down, and it was much quieter. from looking at that, they were at 100%. if i click the auto button in speed fan, it doesn't do anything.

I have been trying to get into the bios with out any luck so far :-(

Ian Jones · 19 Aug 2016 at 16:20

Tealc said:
Maybe the fans on your CPU cooler are not matched to the setting in your BIOS ie PWM/Voltage Control.

What cooler is it? What fans do you have on it?

Edit: I see you have the K2 Mount Doom. If you are using the stock fans then make sure the BIOS is set to PWM and reduce the fan response value appropriately.

thank you, it was my keybourd that was not letting me get into the bios.

I set the cpu smart fan setting to 40 deg C and 50%,
the fan is much quiter now.

the cpu temp now, with just this page.fan speed, cpu-z is around 40 deg c

thanks
ian