Fan controler ideas.

soundesciple · 27 Jun 2016 at 11:18

Hi guy's. I've just ordered a phanteks Enthoo evolv midi glass case as my old fractal r3 is looking a bit shabby now.
Is there any way on that case to manualy control the fans or do I need to buy another fan controler. I have a nzxt controler but it fits in a cd drive bay. Any suggestions on how I can control the fans. I'll be putting a 360 and 240mm rads in so 5 fans plus 1or 2 case fans.
Any help full ideas would be great.

Benjamham · 27 Jun 2016 at 11:56

What motherboard do you have? and are they pwm fans or 3pin?

You can easily run loads of pwm fans with a molex splitter and do fan control in the bios. Apart from that I have seen things like the nzxt grid that don't require a 5.25" front bay

bimbleuk · 27 Jun 2016 at 13:12

NZXT Grid+ v2 is a good internal fan controller. The software interface is usable too and mines been running for several months without issue. 6 inputs but pair/tri similar fans to cut down on inputs.

soundesciple · 27 Jun 2016 at 13:28

Mobo is an Azrock z68 extreme 4 gen 3.
It has 1 pmw and 3 3pin headers. The pmw is running the 360 rad fans but I would like them to turn a bit slower as the syth GT 120mm fans are still a bit loud.
@ bimbleuk I will check that out thanks.

Artery · 27 Jun 2016 at 13:39

I had the same issue, got the Phanteks Enthoo Evolv ATX Glass case & realised I couldn't use my Lamptron FC6 anymore. I just got an NZXT Grid+ instead but I haven't got round to installing it yet because I need to get around to changing that awful molex connection, so you'll definitely need to do some diy work.

bimbleuk · 27 Jun 2016 at 14:24

soundesciple said:
Mobo is an Azrock z68 extreme 4 gen 3.
It has 1 pmw and 3 3pin headers. The pmw is running the 360 rad fans but I would like them to turn a bit slower as the syth GT 120mm fans are still a bit loud.
@ bimbleuk I will check that out thanks.

May require some fiddling as I use resistor cables on most of my fans to limit the ultimate fan speed. Then fine tune via the GRID+.

I tend to run SP120 fans that will push 2000+RPM but using a resistor they will top out at 1500RPM. I've also found that running a resistor ups the voltage required to run at a given speed and the side affect is the GRID+ controls the RPM much better.

I was seeing some fluctuation running fans down to 40% at idle but now they are rock steady at 840 RPM with a resistor. PWM fans tend to suffer this more and some require a minimum voltage to start.

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/noctua-na-src10-3-pin-low-noise-adaptors-3-pack-fg-031-nc.html

soundesciple · 27 Jun 2016 at 15:16

Thanks for that link bumbleuk. I may just have some of those in the box of my old noktua nh-D14 air cooler.
I also like the idea of software control with the Grid + v2 so will get that as well and do a bit of tinkering. Thanks guys.