Fractal Design Define r4 fan controller w/ Asus Fan Xpert 2

cerebralhigh · 8 Apr 2014 at 23:10

I'm thinking of using the Asus Z87-A mother board with the Fractal Design Define r4 case, which has a 3-setting fan controller.

I'd like to use the Asus Fan Xpert 2 software that comes with the motherboard to control the fans, and I'm just wondering how this would work with the fan controller on the case? Would I have to somehow disconnect the fan controller on the case, since presumably it would conflict with the FX2 software? (Please bear in mind that this is my first ever build so I have no idea what I'm talking about!)

Thanks

smilertoo · 9 Apr 2014 at 01:13

You would need to plug the fans into the motherboard instead of the controller. I don't think the supplied fractal R4 fans support PWM though so it might not work; I'm pretty sure the R4 controller just cuts the voltages from 12 to 7 to 5.

cerebralhigh · 9 Apr 2014 at 08:26

Hi there, thanks for your reply.

Forgive my ignorance, but what is PWM? You're correct that the R4 controller has just three voltages: 5V, 7V and 12V. Does this mean that I won't be able to use the Fan Xpert 2 software?

cerebralhigh · 10 Apr 2014 at 01:21

Afaik the fans included with the FD r4 case are not pwm. Does anyone know if the Asus Fan Xpert 2 software only works with pwm fans? Or will it work with standard (3 pin?) fans too?

smilertoo · 10 Apr 2014 at 04:31

Try it and see if it works.

cerebralhigh · 10 Apr 2014 at 08:49

This would be an easy solution but I haven't bought my parts yet! I was hoping to find out before I do. I suppose if it doesn't work then I could just use the fan controller on the case until I buy some better fans.

Do fan controllers on cases generally connect directly to the PSU? Or do you plug that into the motherboard too?

Thanks

kona786 · 11 Apr 2014 at 18:54

cerebralhigh said:
Afaik the fans included with the FD r4 case are not pwm. Does anyone know if the Asus Fan Xpert 2 software only works with pwm fans? Or will it work with standard (3 pin?) fans too?

I have just got this case and the included fan are PWM 3pin - and I am controlling them via SpeedFan.

I didn't bother using the FD fan controller as software ones have finer control.