Front fan not always starting

TheNoviceModder · 14 Sep 2014 at 08:21

So basically, the front 230mm fan doesn't always start up. It'll try to go, but it looks like there's not enough power so I have to take the side panel off and manually start it. Doesn't always happen though. Also, the side panel 230mm fan struggles to get going but after about 5 seconds it always starts up by itself. They're both plugged into the motherboard.

Is there anything I can do to get around this problem whilst also being able to control their speed?

snips86x · 14 Sep 2014 at 08:29

Have you checked your BIOS? Some fan headers allow you to choose the power output (12v/7v/5v) for each header.

Not sure if yours will have the option, but some will specify full speed on startup too!

Pulse · 14 Sep 2014 at 08:37

Are they too loud to be running at full speed as obvious solution would be to get a molex to fan splitter, if needs be, change them to 7v and leave them at that.

TheNoviceModder · 14 Sep 2014 at 08:42

snips86x said:
Have you checked your BIOS? Some fan headers allow you to choose the power output (12v/7v/5v) for each header.

Not sure if yours will have the option, but some will specify full speed on startup too!

I'll give that a go later after work & report back with the results!

Pulse said:
Are they too loud to be running at full speed as obvious solution would be to get a molex to fan splitter, if needs be, change them to 7v and leave them at that.

This will be my second option

Thanks guys!

CEUOTC · 14 Sep 2014 at 08:46

TheNoviceModder said:
So basically, the front 230mm fan doesn't always start up. It'll try to go, but it looks like there's not enough power so I have to take the side panel off and manually start it. Doesn't always happen though. Also, the side panel 230mm fan struggles to get going but after about 5 seconds it always starts up by itself. They're both plugged into the motherboard.

Is there anything I can do to get around this problem whilst also being able to control their speed?

If you have a 5.25 bay free l would suggest investing in a fan controller as some larger fans need more amps to run properly.

snips86x · 14 Sep 2014 at 08:58

CEUOTC said:
If you have a 5.25 bay free l would suggest investing in a fan controller as some larger fans need more amps to run properly.

Yes - I would highly recommend the Bitfenix Recon too!

TheNoviceModder · 14 Sep 2014 at 18:19

CEUOTC said:
If you have a 5.25 bay free l would suggest investing in a fan controller as some larger fans need more amps to run properly.

snips86x said:
Yes - I would highly recommend the Bitfenix Recon too!

As luck would have it, after a rummage through my boxes of pc spares, I found a couple of molex to fan splitters & linked them up to one molex to pci-e cable. Now both running fine off the psu. Tonnes of airflow now, but that'll get under control once I buy the fan controller

CEUOTC · 14 Sep 2014 at 22:21

Nice one.