How exactly can I control PWM Fans?

[elliottmarter]

So I have 3 PWM fans connected to my Mobo around the bottom of my case, I intend to have them running constantly as a means of getting some cool air through the case (I have a CPU cooler and a top fan pointing out to get rid of the warm air).

So far I have tried SpeedFan which seems far too complicated for what I want and even then it seems to play to its own rules when it comes to controlling the fans. I am able to make the fans do stuff but what stuff seems totally out of my control. The up down arrows on the start did nothing initially, after some research I found I need to set the fans to software controlled but then I need to open speedfan to adjust their speeds, then I made up a control profile where I was able to adjust the % on a graph with temps...this did nothing, then when I set the fans back to SmartGuardian they went all the way up to full speed and didn't turn back off again until I manually turned them down by reverting back to software controlled!

I have also tried controlling them via the BIOS, I am able to set them to Normal, this seemingly never turns them on, I checked on them mid gaming session and they weren't spinning (the room was hot from the PC at this point, so I definitely think they should have been on). Silent, which is like Normal expect less. Full Speed, and Manual which allows me to select values from 0.75 up to 2.5 PWM/celcius, which also seems to have little bearing on when the fans decide to come on or not.

Can someone please shed some light on this and if poss tell me how you have your PWM fans set up.

Thanks

 

[elliottmarter]

What motherboard are you using? Is it the Z87-OC?

yep, that one

Have you considered using the CPU fan header and a PWM splitter with PSU power. This will supply the PWM case fans with same PWM signal cooler fans are using. Link explains it.
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=26079729&postcount=5

I like this idea, I already have the Antec Kuhler H20 920, so would just be a matter of splitting the CPU fan power off to three additional fans, 5 fans in total. Have I understood that correctly? As a side note next to the cpu fan header there is another plug called cpu_opt, not quite sure what function this performs, could I use that to plug some case fans in to?

 

[elliottmarter]

You want to use the CPU fan or CPU opt header for the PWM signal to PWM splitter and the PSU for power. This way there is no power demand put on the motherboard.

The CPU opt header is usually just a built in splitter on motherboard so 2 cooler fans can be plugged in.

Ah I understand now, once I saw the picture of the cable all became clear!

Just picked up the Gelid one off eBay, OCUK didn't have it! Also got a 30cm PWM extension cable, should be able to run it down the back of the case that way. Many thanks for the advice doyll.