Can i bypass the fan controller in a new case?

[JimKiler]

I want to buy a new case but instead of the L-M-H fan controller i want to use the motherboard to control fan speed. Is that possible? Is it dependent on the case?

 

[UsandThem]

I want to buy a new case but instead of the L-M-H fan controller i want to use the motherboard to control fan speed. Is that possible? Is it dependent on the case?

Simple. Just don't hook up the fans to the case fan controller hub, and simply plug them into the motherboard's fan headers instead.

 

[theNEOone]

Yes, you can (and should, IMO) do that. I feel that it's always best to plug in to the motherboard and control fans by adjusting fan curves and setting profiles.


=|

 

[JimKiler]

Simple. Just don't hook up the fans to the case fan controller hub, and simply plug them into the motherboard's fan headers instead.

Looks like i tagged this thread appropriately.

 

[UsandThem]

Looks like i tagged this thread appropriately.

You can also use the fan controller for just some fans.

For example, my Gigabyte board doesn't have the option for creating custom fan profiles in the BIOS (UEFI), and since their craptastic utilities have been largely broken for a year now, I use my case's fan controller for my intake fans and let the motherboard handle the CPU and rear exhaust fan. That way if I am going to play a game, I can just switch the controller over to medium to move some more air, and otherwise I leave it on low so I don't hear it.

 

[Paperdoc]

Yes and no - well, maybe. I agree with having your case ventilation fans controlled automatically by your mobo. The problem is how easy that will be. The issue is the natch (or lack thereof) of fan type to mobo header control method.

Most cases that come with fans these days supply 3-pin fans because they are marginally cheaper. But the only way to control the speed of that fan design is to vary the voltage supplied to them (via Pin #2 from 12 VDC (full speed( down to about 5 VDC (nearly stalled). SOME mobos can do that. Some can not, and can only use the newer system, PWM Mode, which works for 4-speed fans only. It can be tricky to figure out which way your mobo can do things. If your mobo has the right capability, it works just fine. If not, you have a few choices.

Post back here exactly what make and model of mobo you are getting, and we can look up its specs and try to advise. Tell us the maker and model of your case so we can check the specs for its fans.

 

[JimKiler]

Yes and no - well, maybe. I agree with having your case ventilation fans controlled automatically by your mobo. The problem is how easy that will be. The issue is the natch (or lack thereof) of fan type to mobo header control method.

Most cases that come with fans these days supply 3-pin fans because they are marginally cheaper. But the only way to control the speed of that fan design is to vary the voltage supplied to them (via Pin #2 from 12 VDC (full speed( down to about 5 VDC (nearly stalled). SOME mobos can do that. Some can not, and can only use the newer system, PWM Mode, which works for 4-speed fans only. It can be tricky to figure out which way your mobo can do things. If your mobo has the right capability, it works just fine. If not, you have a few choices.

Post back here exactly what make and model of mobo you are getting, and we can look up its specs and try to advise. Tell us the maker and model of your case so we can check the specs for its fans.

I have a Asus Z97-AR i am moving to the new case and it can control 3 pin connected fans, works today. I didn't realize not all mobo's can do that that however.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I have a Asus Z97-AR i am moving to the new case and it can control 3 pin connected fans, works today. I didn't realize not all mobo's can do that that however.

Yeah. I was puzzled at first from this last post of yours, mentioning only 3-pin fans. But when I see "ASUS" and "Z97", it tells me your ports are all 4-pin configurable to 3-pin fans and controllable in either PWM or DC mode. And if that "PWM/DC" option choice doesn't appear in BIOS, the board will simply control the fan based on whether it's 4 or 3 pin, and do it appropriately.