System fan RPM control on GA-X58-UD3R

NimbusTLD · 15 May 2010 at 11:59

Hello! I have recently acquired new guts for my system including a new cooler. It runs louder than my old setup (granted the Arctic Freezer 7 Pro is pretty damn quiet) which I thought was due to the new cooler (Titan Fenrir). I tried changing the included fan to a quieter(?) Akasa Apache but the noise levels did not go down.

I investigated with the highest tech equipment I found, ie my ears, and it turns out the system fans are actually causing the noise! It appears that this motherboard does not dynamically throttle back their RPM by default, and I cannot find a way to either in the BIOS or via software.

Does anyone know if it is even possible on this board?

If not can anyone point to what are the absolute quietest 120mm fans at max RPM?

Thank you!

Philtor · 15 May 2010 at 16:09

Go into your your BIOS and look for 'PC Health status'. Scroll down and look for 'CPU Smart fan Control' and ensure this is enabled. Now find 'CPU Smart fan mode'....

CPU Smart FAN Mode;

Auto Lets BIOS autodetect the type of CPU fan installed and sets the optimal CPU fan control mode (Default).
Voltage Sets Voltage mode for a 3-pin CPU fan.
PWM Sets PWM mode for a 4-pin CPU fan.

I would suggest selecting PWM which the Apache supports

Philtor · 15 May 2010 at 16:11

The Apache is a great fan by the way - it's just your BIOS is telling it to run flat to the mat !

NimbusTLD · 15 May 2010 at 20:24

Thanks for the reply philtorrens, but it is the system (case) fans I want to throttle, the CPU fan is already running Smart Mode.

RJC · 15 May 2010 at 20:37

You most probably need to invest in a fan speed controler, I use the Zalman 6 channel controller to control my case fans.

Currently using the Gigabyte X58 UD5 board.

NimbusTLD · 15 May 2010 at 21:24

Hmm, I suppose the is the fan speed controller is the solution

racerboy59 · 15 May 2010 at 21:33

Fan controllers are awesome. I got my first one, a Zalman MFC1 Plus. Simple and works brilliantly. Shame it doesn't have an RPM or temp readout, but still Ilike the minimal design.

NimbusTLD · 15 May 2010 at 21:41

Thinking of going for the Akasa AK FC-06BK as I do not need 6 channels and do not particularly want to spend £30 if I don't have to. LEDs are actually a negative as I sleep in the same room as my PC.

Any reason why I should get this popular Zalman one instead?

racerboy59 · 15 May 2010 at 22:08

That should be fine as well. Just make sure you have a spare 3.5" exterior slot and your good to go.