What fan controller?

Soldato
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So I was hoping that by buying fan that were rated under 20db that my WC'd PC would be quiet.

It isn't.

I think it's probably the fact that I have 8 fans currently running at 100% that's causing the noise, even if they are rated under 20db.

So I've decided that a fan controller might help.
The fans I'm running are:
4 x Akasa Apache (on radiators)
2 x 140mm Enermax T.B.Silence (on the side of the case)
1 x 120mm Enermax T.B.Silence (rear exhaust)
1 x 140mm CoolerMaster stock fan (front intake)

This is in a CM 690 II Advanced case.

So I'm looking for a fan controller to control these fans. The Apache's are 4-pin PWM fans the others are all 3-pin.

Can the Apache 4-pin PWN fans be controlled by 3-pin fan controllers? (As I understand it PWM uses pulsing to control fan speed, where the 3-pin just you lower voltage)

I'm happy to control all 4 Apaches via a single channel (if that's possible, due to amp or watts per channel). I could also control the 4 case fans via 1 channel too, but would split them up if I could.

Due to the CM 690 II's extra vertical expansion slot at the back I would prefer to use that to using a controller that sits in a front drive bay if possible.

So any ideas?

Thanks for any advice/information/suggestions.
 
Thought I'd dig this thread up again, as I'm once again looking into getting a fan controller.

Now the Lamptron FC2 seems to be back in stock. so that's one option.

The other options are the Lian Li PT-FN03 and the Akasa AK-FC-03.
Would all of these be suitable for controlling the 4 PWM Apaches and 4 case fans (via splitter cables)?
I can't find any figures on the Lian Li but I think the Akasa has about 20W on each channel (based on 12V and 1.6Amps).

Do all fan controller tend to come with extension cables or will I need to buy them separately?

Thanks.
 
I run 9 yate loons (3x140 on my rad and 6x120 on the case) using 3 spilter cables from my 4 channel scythe kaze master with no issues at all. Build is excellent with a great gloss finish.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BB-003-SY&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=189

In the end i went for one of these (well technically 2 of them) as I liked the digital display but also the fact that it had a dial for each channel to adjust the speeds (instead of generic buttons). Also it seems to be 4-pin PWN fan controls which seemed ideal.

I have however noticed the odd thing that Akasa Apache fans are rated as 0.33A (on the Akasa website) but the faster Akasa Vipers are rated at 0.17A.
Is this right? Because it would mean I could put all 4 fans on 1 channel (the fan controller supports 1A per channel, admittedly only giving it 12W per channel).

Also, why don't OcUK sell 4-pin PWM Y-cables (splitter cables)?
How will a fan controller work if I use one of these, as the controller wouldn't be supplying the power would it?
 
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