thermal fans question.

[daz87uk]

Hi, bit of a noob question about fan control, Im building a media htpc and looking at the fan setup; it's gonna have 3x 70mm fans. As MATX doesn't have that many fan headers, I was wondering if I had say a multi port fan power, will the thermal control in the fan regulate the speed or does the motherboard do this? only asking as the multi fan power unit gives full 12v to each fan so If the auto thermal control wont work In the fans because its not connected to motherboard I will have to revise my cooling for the case as I dont want them all running full wack.

thanks Daz

 

[ScratchFive]

the motherboard or software usually regulates the fan speed from a header.

you could buy a fan controller or just shove a resistor or a few diodes in there if you don't need it variable

you can get fans with an inbuilt controller that regulate their speed themselves, but I haven't seen any in 70mm size

hope this helps

 

[daz87uk]

thanks, yeah basically thats all i wanted to know was if a fan can control the speed it self. I did see this listed on here.

Akasa AK-179BKT-C 70mm Auto Thermal Sensor

and was wondering if the sensors on this fan will regulate buy them selfs or do they still need software / mainboard intervention.

thanks

 

[Tealc]

The sensors on such fans are usually a thermistor which varies the speed of the fan according to a predescribed fan speed curve. Get the thermistor in a warm spot and the fan will speed up until it reaches equilibrium. You usually put the sensor somewhere close to the fan itself. It is wholly independent if motherboard control.

 

[daz87uk]

Thanks for your help, systems all up and running with the akasa fans.

All runs quite quiet, for most tasks and can hear them ramp up a bit when playing a few games.