Fan Controller + PWM Fans

CYPER

CYPER

CYPER

Associate
Joined
28 Jul 2005
Posts
186
You can see my system specs in the signature.
I'm after a fan controller for the sole purpose of making my pc quieter when not under heavy load.
Currently I have:
2x 140mm Thermalright TY-140 with a push-pull setup on a Prolimatech Armageddon (one is connected to the CPU_Fan Header, so it is automatically controlled by PWM, the other to 3 pin header)
2x 140mm Fans at the top of the case, extracting air
1x 120mm at the top back extracting
1x 120mm at the side extracting hot air from the 2 video cards
1x 120mm looking directly to the backs of the video cards and supplying them with fresh air
1x 140mm intake at the lower front of the case

My favourite so far is Zalman ZM-MFC1 Combo, but I'm a little puzzled on how exactly the PWM Fan options works.
MFC1_combo_01.gif

The graphic suggest that the CPU fan is still reporting its speed to the motherboard, but it is unclear how it adjusts its speed. What is the point of PWM in this case when the controller only has 4 options for the CPU fan: 3 Presets + Manual. How the automatic PWM adjustments from the motherboard fits here.

Also do you think it is a better to leave the CPU fans connected directly yo the mobo? And could I connect both to the same CPU_Fan Header, so both work at the same speeds.

Thank you.
 
A much simpler arrangement would be to use this zalman fan controller for your 6 x case fans.

http://www.zalman.com/ENG/product/Product_Read.asp?idx=208

Then for your 2 x Thermalright TY-140 cpu fans, get one of theese.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CB-031-AK&groupid=1929&catid=153&subcat=

The above Akasa splitter cable allows speed control/monitoring via PWM from your motherboards cpu fan header, power is provided via molex from the psu, signal to the fans for control are provided via the motherboard connector on the cable. This is the fan controller and splitter cable that i use to control 6 case fans and my two Akasa vipers on my megahelims.
 
setter said:
Then for your 2 x Thermalright TY-140 cpu fans, get one of theese.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CB-031-AK&groupid=1929&catid=153&subcat=

The above Akasa splitter cable allows speed control/monitoring via PWM from your motherboards cpu fan header, power is provided via molex from the psu, signal to the fans for control are provided via the motherboard connector on the cable. This is the fan controller and splitter cable that i use to control 6 case fans and my two Akasa vipers on my megahelims.
Click to expand...

I saw this splitter, but how does it connect to the controller? From what I read in the reviews the idea is to control up to 3 fans automatically by the motherboard. Where does it come in connection with the controller?
 
The splitter cable doesnt connect to the fan controller at all, i use the 6 channel zalman zm fc1 plus that i linked above. This is used to control my 6 case fans. The two on my cpu cooler are connected and ran via the splitter cable, one end of the cable connects to your power supply via a standard psu 4 pin molex plug, you then connect the motherboard plug to your cpu fan header, then connect upto 3 PWM fans to the fan connectors on the cable. With this setup my cpu fans are controlled automatically, whereas i have manual control of my case fans via the fan controller.

CB-031-AK_400-1.jpg


If you look closely at the above pic, (sorry for small image), youll see how each connector is marked on the splitter, a great little piece of kit, ive been using one for a couple of years now with various PWM fans on my cpu cooler.
 
Last edited:
setter said:
The splitter cable doesnt connect to the fan controller at all, i use the 6 channel zalman zm fc1 plus that i linked above. This is used to control my 6 case fans. The two on my cpu cooler are connected and ran via the splitter cable, one end of the cable connects to your power supply via a standard psu 4 pin molex plug, you then connect the motherboard plug to your cpu fan header, then connect upto 3 PWM fans to the fan connectors on the cable. With this setup my cpu fans are controlled automatically, whereas i have manual control of my case fans via the fan controller.

CB-031-AK_400-1.jpg


If you look closely at the above pic, (sorry for small image), youll see how each connector is marked on the splitter, a great little piece of kit, ive been using one for a couple of years now with various PWM fans on my cpu cooler.
Click to expand...

I got it now. So If I want to control only 2 CPU Fans I can use this or PWM Y splitter (if the mobo cpu_fan header supplies enough power for both)

But I still don't get the idea behind the Zalman ZM-MFC1 Combo PWM channel. Which one controls the CPU fans - the controller or the motherboard?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom