Using GPU temps to control PWM case fans

Daaaveee · 26 Jul 2016 at 16:49

As per the title, is there a way for me to control my PWM case fans with GPU temps, rather than CPU temps?

Similar to many I assume, when gaming my GPU is much hotter than the CPU, which doesn't get that hot and varies depending on the game. The GPU is what I'm more interested in feeding some nice cool air, so apart from buying one of the new Strix cards with fan headers on them, is there a way to achieve this?

My options at the moment seem to be running case fans higher all the time or making the fans spin up at a low CPU temp, a little above idle. The latter though has the issues of revving fans as my CPU temps spike up and down quickly as it experiences short spikes in load.

archerz · 26 Jul 2016 at 16:51

yes; i do it with speedfan, in fact i have 2 profiles. one for high cpu and 1 for high gfx!

archerz · 26 Jul 2016 at 16:52

for example

Daaaveee · 26 Jul 2016 at 16:57

OK great I'll have a look later, I have look at speedfan in the past but couldn't get it to detect any fans?! Will try again

Daaaveee · 26 Jul 2016 at 20:49

Speedfan doesn't show any fans, anyone know why that would be?!

Daaaveee · 26 Jul 2016 at 20:50

Looks like my motherboard isn't supported at the moment

back to square 1.

Tealc · 26 Jul 2016 at 21:48

I've used the PWM directly off the graphics card to control fans. All you need is a suitable splitter cable. I made my own but I do believe they can be purchased.

Daaaveee · 26 Jul 2016 at 23:51

Tealc said:
I've used the PWM directly off the graphics card to control fans. All you need is a suitable splitter cable. I made my own but I do believe they can be purchased.

Thanks for the info, probably not something I would try though but good to know its possible.

Disco_P · 27 Jul 2016 at 00:55

What fans are you running? I use a grid+ v2 to control all my fans based off GPU temperature. It uses voltage for control but my fans are a mixture between 3 and 4 pin.

Daaaveee · 27 Jul 2016 at 08:36

I have 2x Coolermaster Silencio FP120 PWM intake and 3x Noctua NF-S12B Redux 700rpm (3 pin) exhausts.

I'm happy with the Noctua exhausts as they are silent, but the Silencios are too loud for me to run at full (the ideal to create positive pressure) when idle. So I'm looking for the Silencios to ramp up to full when the GPU hits the 70s. The CPU tops out mid 60s so not too fussed about that.

I have been considering changing the Silencios for some Noctua Redux 1200rpm PWMs for more positive pressure but the silencios spec sheet says they only produce 14dBA at full compared to the Redux 1200rpms 18.1 dBA, so I'm holding off for now!