Fan Controller for antec 300

at1106 · 29 Dec 2009 at 00:50

Hi,

I have an antec 300 and have added 3 optional antec tricool fans, I would like to fit a fan controller which can controll as many fans as possible preferably 5-6. Can anyone recomend any, I saw this one on OC:http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BB-002-LL&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=189

It's sold out, but it sounded quite cool it's LCD and has an alarm system that alerts you if one of the fans aren't working

Thanks

SlugForAButt · 29 Dec 2009 at 02:37

You need fan controller or you want another backlit screen?
Never heard of a critical fan failure myself.

I was pointed towards the Zalman ZM-MFC1 Plus which is a little beauty. Looks sharp and controls 6 fans.
Or if you want something that looks like a Christmas tree for the same price you could get an Akasa AK-FC-03.

Personally, I went for the Zalman.

TheKnat · 29 Dec 2009 at 02:59

SlugForAButt said:
I was pointed towards the Zalman ZM-MFC1 Plus which is a little beauty. Looks sharp and controls 6 fans.

This.

I have 2 of them and they function well, look good and don't spoil the case by making it look like it has been pimped out at halfords.

SlugForAButt · 29 Dec 2009 at 03:34

+1
The Zalman looks sweet by not being OTT. And although the max voltages from it are way short of 12V, it's no problem as I was wanting to slow 'em down in the first place.
That's why I needed a fan controller.

theron · 29 Dec 2009 at 12:34

i like the fan controllers made by scythe

at1106 · 29 Dec 2009 at 23:22

SlugForAButt said:
+1
The Zalman looks sweet by not being OTT. And although the max voltages from it are way short of 12V, it's no problem as I was wanting to slow 'em down in the first place.
That's why I needed a fan controller.

I want to speed my fans up is there perhaps one with a higher max volatage u guys can suggest?

Audigex · 30 Dec 2009 at 02:16

You can't speed them up above 12v anyway... it just means you can't run them quite at full speed.

My advice to you would be to set the back+top fans on slow and put the two fans at the front on high on a fan controller - since there are only two they'll run at nearly full speed when you want them to. The zalman would be perfect for this - they look great in a 300.

Don't bother with a side fan unless you're having overheating issues - it's unfiltered, so you'll just need to clean it out far more often or risk worse problems. I found that it made a difference of less than 2c on my GPU and actually made my CPU a couple of degrees warmer. I've no idea if this was some quirk of my hardware, but it appears that the "wind tunnel" effect made by the front+rear fans is more effective in cooling than the vortexes created by the side fan.

I actually ended up getting a fan grille and attaching it to the side fan vent with some zip ties, trapping a transparent half-of-a-bag between the case and grille - instant dust-blocker. Your results may vary :-)