Best way to control fans? (Arc Midi R2, NF-A14 PWM)

[Hunched]

I'm replacing the 3 fans in my Arc Midi R2 today with Noctua NF-A14 PWM fans, my options appear to be either the motherboard (Asus Z97-A) or integrated fan controller.

 

I'm pretty disappointed that it appears there is no way to scale the case fans off of GPU temperatures, but I can off of CPU temps with the mobo.

I'm not sure what using software in Windows would benefit me over using the BIOS, and I've heard not great things about the Arc Midi R2's compatibility with other fans, it's strict if I remember, and wouldn't make use of PWM.

 

This is probably a dumb topic that could have been avoided if I put basically any time looking into this before they got here. I just assumed I could hook them up to the mobo and base their speed off of GPU temps 

[RevoltTrain]

Make sure you have the fans plugged into the MOBO of course, and use a program called SpeedFan, that's what I use and absolutely love it

[Hunched]

Is SpeedFan able to adjust my case fans in relation to GPU temp changes?

 

Just saw another topic here saying SpeedFan doesn't even work on 8.1, so do I have any other options or should I just use the Asus Z97 BIOS?

[Hunched]

So since nobody has any other suggestions besides SpeedFan which doesn't work in Windows 8.1, I've stuck to screwing around in the BIOS.

Having the case fans speed change in relation to CPU temperature is bad because it causes the fans to always be ramping up and down, the constant fluctuation of fan speed as CPU temp is always changing is too noticeable.

This is why it would be nice if I could choose GPU as a setting, as temperature changes are much more linear, and it throttles at a mere 68c because nvidia, so it's my priority and my CPU is always way cooler while gaming anyway.

 

I can select the fan speed to change off of PCH Core in the BIOS which is working okay, as it's right behind the GPU and the temperature changes are steady, so fan changes are steady.

Only downside is that the PCH Core heats up and cools down much slower than the GPU, it can take minutes for the PCH Core to rise 5c while the GPU can rise 30c within 30 seconds.

Not much of an issue, case fans will just take longer to speed up and slow down in relation to GPU temps, so the GPU fan might be a bit loud for the first 5 minutes you start a game, and 5 afterwards.

 

 

These Noctua NF-A14's are far quieter than the stock Arc Midi R2 fans even at higher RPM's, and move a ton of air, lower temps and quieter PC. 

I don't know if it's a case issue, but as with the previous fans at higher RPM's there's a faint consistent sound that constantly fades in and out seems to increase with speed as RPM's go higher. It's diminished completely at lower RPM's, unsure if it's vibration or just the sound air makes in the case. The sound disappears if I remove the side panel, but no matter where pressure is applied the sound is unaffected. It can drive me insane if I focus on it.

Wish I could fix that, but I can't find find the issue, and I'm not going to permanently remove my side panel, so I guess I have to live with the humming, I just wish the sound was constant instead of pulsing.

[Fragsa1]

I had the exact same problem (although I'm water cooling). I picked up this: http://www.frozencpu.com/products/13696/bus-271/Aquacomputer_Aquaero_5_LT_USB_Fan_Controller_Liquid_System_Controller_53095.html and couldn't be happier.

I also have an Asus z97 board. I was really disappointed with Fan Xpert, lacking options and just plain getting locked out when other heavy processes are running.

[Hunched]

I had the exact same problem (although I'm water cooling). I picked up this: http://www.frozencpu.com/products/13696/bus-271/Aquacomputer_Aquaero_5_LT_USB_Fan_Controller_Liquid_System_Controller_53095.html and couldn't be happier.

I also have an Asus z97 board. I was really disappointed with Fan Xpert, lacking options and just plain getting locked out when other heavy processes are running.

Thanks for the reply, I always feel crazy when I explain an issue and nobody ever says anything  :lol:

 

Do most people have their fan speed controlled by CPU temps? This is my first PC and I'm genuinely curious, it seems like an erratic method of control, obviously most people don't go out and buy a fan controller like that.

Just seems silly there's no way to control fans from GPU temps, PCH Core seems to be the best option for me without buying anything extra, though I feel like I'm the only one using it based off of google results.

 

I really feel like I'm missing something obvious.

[Fragsa1]

Thanks for the reply, I always feel crazy when I explain an issue and nobody ever says anything  :lol:

 

Do most people have their fan speed controlled by CPU temps? This is my first PC and I'm genuinely curious, it seems like an erratic method of control, obviously most people don't go out and buy a fan controller like that.

Just seems silly there's no way to control fans from GPU temps, PCH Core seems to be the best option for me without buying anything extra, though I feel like I'm the only one using it based off of google results.

 

I really feel like I'm missing something obvious.

I know what you mean. It's a terrible metric to base fan speeds off. I have another topic where I voice the same concern: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/254556-fan-controller-suggestions-loop-temperature-controlled/

CPU temps are far too erratic. I personally base my temps on the water temp with the controller I listed before. My fans now have an extremely slow and linear acceleration curve. Ramping up from 20% fan speed to 100% (Pwm controlled) between 25 to 45 degrees.

Obviously my case is far from average, I have no idea what the normal thing to do is.