Internal PWM Fan Controller

Dave2150

Dave2150

Dave2150

Soldato
Joined
31 Oct 2002
Posts
10,370
Hi there,

I'm looking for a fan controller similar to the Phanteks PWM Fan Hub (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-009-PT)
but with the ability to select the fan speed/voltage on the device, rather than in software. I don't mind if it's just a dial on the device, or a switch etc.

This is for my second PC, fileserver/backup gaming rig. It's a x58 system, Asus P6T Deluxe motherboard, so no PWM control from the BIOS, only in software.

I'd rather not have to rely on a software bloatware programs to select the fan speed/voltage, would far prefer it to be hardware based and always on.

If anyone knows of such a product, please let me know :)
 
Thanks for the reply.

Looks similar to the Phantek option - it's natively a 3pin fan controller and not a 4pin pwm controller.

That said it comes with two adaptor cables to convert a 4 pin to 3pin - though I'd need to buy a few more of these cables, as I have 4 PWM fans to run.

I can't seem to find out if the NZXT grid 'remembers' the profiles you save to it in the software, or if it's reliant on the software being run to control the speed, I'd prefer it to be 'always on'.
 
I don't have a Grid+ but looking at the PCB (No EEPROM) and some comments it looks like you have to use their crappy software (or third party software) to get it to work. I could be wrong.

Did you want the fans to be controlled as in go up and down in speed?

Bitfenix Recon is a native 3 pin controller that operates from a 5 1/4" bay but could be mounted internally if desired. This has EEPROM and remembers your settings and while it does have software, of sorts, it is not required.

I've built fan controllers in the past that do what you want, and more. One example is pictured below in my signature...
 
Yeah as Tealc says, I'm looking for something hardware based, without having to rely on windows software to control it (not a fan! of bloatware).

Ideally I'd prefer something that has native 4pin PWM connections, so that I don't need to use extra adaptor cables, to keep my case tidier and be easier to cable manage.

I'll look into the Bitfenix Recon, though perhaps a custom made job as you mentioned would be only option for 4pin devices?
 
My PWM controller is a simple circuit designed around the vwenerable 555 timer IC, thrown together with a few resistors, a potentiometer and a few capacitors and it produces a decent 0-5v PWM 5-95% square wave at 23kHz. More than adequate for me to test my PWM converter circuits.

I've never made one for PC use as I rather prefer automatic control that my motherboard affords, although I did dabble with the thought of a thermistor based controller for a bit but never bothered putting one together as I didn't have a suitable pair of thermistors to act as the sensor.
 
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