Ok, so PWM or Voltage Control?

nails666

nails666

nails666

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Hi,
I'm considering getting a new set of fans for my pc and I'm not sure what type of speed control to go for. I understand what the technical difference is between PWM and voltage control but not really why you would choose one over the other? I have read of various potential issues with PWM, mainly different manufacturers implementing it slightly differently and general lack of support on motherboards whereas voltage control seems pretty solid. In theory I can see that PWM should allow more precise control but is that the case in the real world?
I'd probably like to get a fan controller and a full set of visually matching fans for my case and cooler (Phanteks Enthoo Pro and Corsair H75) but I'm not sure which approach would be best?

Any suggestions or things to watch out for with each method?
 
To be honest, iv always found it easier to just go with a fan controller. this is the one I have, I run all my fans off it. http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BB-010-AK

it can turn fans off or set them to any rpm you like up to the fans full potential speed.

I think its great, as I don't want my fans to speed up or down with temperatures, I like to control them my self, when im on my desktop etc, I just turn the knobs all the way to the left apart from my cpu fan, and then all my case fans are off, as I have no need for them as my pc runs very cool when idling. and I turn them up accordingly to which ever game I play on as some are more intense than others etc.
 
Cheers, yeah I think I'll go the fan controller route, still need to decide on voltage or PWM though. Leaning towards PWM I think but the descriptions of some of the fan controllers and indeed fans don't always make it clear which is which.
 
If you intend using a fan controller then you'll generally need to use a 3 pin fan as sometimes 4 Pinners don't work perfectly, for example giving buzzing noises.

If you are going to use your motherboard for automatic CPU temp based fan control then you might be better obtaining a pwm fan, especially if your motherboard doesn't feature DC control.

Personally I use 3 pin DC fans on a pwm signal by means of a converter circuit l put together because I want the best of both worlds, 80 graduations of control without the ticking that pwm sometimes brings.
 
Does anyone know of any cheap(ish) PWM controlled Voltage fan controllers?
Looking for something to bridge between a PWM motherboard, and a bunch of 3 pin fans.
 
Don't think the Phanteks are out yet so you'd need to buy one of their cases to get one at the moment.

Anyway here's an example of one of over 30 I've made for OcUK folk. This one has 3 fan outputs although I've done several with 4, some even with just the one. I've also done some for VGA cards.

2eckn77.jpg


It converts a low power 5v PWM signal into a 12v higher power smoothed signal. It has essentially the same function as the Phanteks but also has an adjustment feature so you can modify your fans reaction to suit your needs.

More detail here
 
Tealc's work very well indeed!

Phanteks Fan Hub is not out yet, but should be in stock within a week or two. Same for several other of their accessories and new Enthoo Luxe case.
 
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