Fan Controllers

[sunnpat]

Hey was just wondering if anbody had thoughts on a fan controller.
I have 2 x Akasa Amber 120mm fans and a Zalman 7700CU sitting on my x2 3800. The problem is that when I am not gaming the rig is quite loud (it is quiet annoying when trying to work without music on), therefore need to turn down noise/fan speed without causing damage to computer.
Can this be done with a fan controller automatically or do I have to manually (ie: every time I stop gaming turn the fan speed back down). Any thought would be great.

Cheers

Sunny

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

There are automatic ones (such as the Hardcano 13), and then there are manual ones (like the Zalman 6-channel and Sunbeam fan controllers). Just go to Jab-tech, Performance PCs, or Frozen CPU, and see what they have to offer. If you go to Performance PCs, go to 5.25" or 3.5" bay devices (pick black or silver), and I believe the others are just under fan controllers.

I currently have a Hardcano 13, (2) 6-channel Zalmans, and (3) Sunbeam 5.25" Rheobus. So far, the Sunbeams are my favorite. The Hardcano 13 is great for temp monitoring, but the fan control sucks (although I haven't messed with it on auto). The Zalmans are nice, with good fan control, but I've got one LED on there doing weird things. Not sure if it is the controllers fault, but I don't know. Also, max load on the Zalman is relatively low. I like the Sunbeams, because they go from 0-12v, nice feel for the controls, much easier modded (easier access to the front panel, and more room to do so than the Zalmans), and they handle up to 20 watts per channel.

 

[Pens1566]

I have the Zalman. I went with that because it doesn't allow the normal 4 channels to go below 5v, since I'm controlling my CPU and NB fans with it. Sunbeam would be a little dangerous with those since it can turn the fans off.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Originally posted by: Pens1566
I have the Zalman. I went with that because it doesn't allow the normal 4 channels to go below 5v, since I'm controlling my CPU and NB fans with it. Sunbeam would be a little dangerous with those since it can turn the fans off.

The Sunbeam Rheobus' LEDs go from red to to blue at 6.5V.

For my sister's rig I used a NeXus PWM unit that will not go below 7V.

Nobody be me uses my rig. I like the Sunbeam as it gives me the best of quiet or cooling, depending on comp use and/or ambient temps.


...Galvanized

 

[Zepper]

You also want to check if the controllers you are looking at are PWM or linear. Some PWM can cause some sleeve-bearing fans to buzz and some ball-bearing fans to whine because the output is like a square wave rather than a continuous DC and the speed is controlled on the current side rather than the voltage side (the voltage is always ~ 12V). The original Sunbeam Rheobus is about the only linear controller I know of as the PWM technology is so much more compact and inexpensive. Unfortunately you aren't going to find thorough, well-designed reviews of fan controllers (or much else) on the fanboy sites. So you can't know which PWM controllers make an effort at abating the negative side-effects of the pulsed power stream.

.bh.

 

[sunnpat]

thanks guys.
Still not sure what I am going to get, The Aerocool coolwatch, it is huge but seems to be the only one with a automatic/manual switch. Is there nothing else out there like this, as I do not really want it for the card reading properties???

Cheers
Sunny

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Originally posted by: sunnpat
thanks guys.
Still not sure what I am going to get, The Aerocool coolwatch, it is huge but seems to be the only one with a automatic/manual switch. Is there nothing else out there like this, as I do not really want it for the card reading properties???

Cheers
Sunny

After you get it set-up, Plz come back with a personal review of it.


...Galvanized

 

[ricster2000]

Originally posted by: Fullmetal Chocobo
The Hardcano 13 is great for temp monitoring, but the fan control sucks (although I haven't messed with it on auto).

I'm looking to buy the Hardcano 13, but I'm just wondering what you mean when you say the fan control sucks. Can you elaborate a bit more?

 

[0roo0roo]

a well designed case should be able to cool quietly without you having to manually increase and decrease the fanspeed. get something like the antec p150/180, sturdy case with sound deading panels, dampened fans/harddrives, and baffled vents to keep noise at bay