HandsomeChow

Hi guys, I recently came across PSU topolgies and saw this switching LLC resonant topolgy I was wonder if anyone can explain it's operation and why it is better to run it at resonant frequency And how it achieves Zero Voltage Switching Thankyou!

Depends, for normal usage a fan controller is really overkill. But a good fan controller like an Aquaero will allow you to monitor temperatures with the sensor probes and also set really detailed fan curves which most mobo software still cannot do. And allow you to power pumps off of it. Also allows you have flow meters. Its really useful if you are going watercooling or going with really good air cooling.

Need help to decide what component to monitor with my thermal probes and how to do it! I own a Aquaero 5 LT and i have eight NTC thermistor cables as sensors I currently decided to monitor VRM, Chipset, Air intake, Air exhaust, Case ambient, PCIe slot and DRAM. There is one more sensor i have left and i don't know what to monitor with it. Any suggestions? Second problem is i don't know what method i should use to secure the thermal probe and what position to place it in. For VRM and Chipset, should i place it on the heatsink or at the backside? Which method would give me the most accurate temperature?

Well, the pressure from the mount would destroy the thermistor inside the probe itself. Literally squishing it. I recommend you use the DTS inside the CPU to monitor core temps and put one on the heatsink. Then calibrate it with offset to get the realtemp of the CPU. For the rest, you should monitor case ambient, air in, VRM temperature, chipset temperature. Those are the important components. Not sure how advance your fan controller is. But the Aquaero 5 and 6 series have an offset mode for you to calibrate your sensors which is convenient.

TBH, if you're watercooling and wish to add in flow meters, i would personally go with a Fan Controller. And if you want really detailed fan curves with multiple points on a graph, the fan controller is still the way to go. But you are right, the Fan Xpert 3 is a very good fan controller software with three point gradient curves and five thermal probes. You can even run PWM pumps such as the MCP35X or the MCP655 PWM D5 off the motherboard header. But some people still prefer fan controllers for obvious reasons such as more specialized software for fan curves and monitoring current and voltage to fans. Which cannot be found on AI Suite 3's software. I am not sure whether Fan Xpert 3 is autonomous. But if you think about it, Fan Xpert 3 has better software than something like a T-Balancer which mCubed should be ashamed about. A dedicated fan controller has worst drivers and software than a motherboard fan controller feature. Fan Xpert 3 would be fine if you're a bit casual about your fan curves and monitoring. But if you go watercooling or want to go full on hardcore air cooling, i would use a dedicated fan controller.

They are all pretty good i mean. All with reasonable prices and thermal sensing. But there are a few that are better. T-Balancer, Koolance TM205, Aquaero 6 XT are all capable of powering air cooled system with ease but also gives huge support to watercooling. With add in flow meters and current monitors in fans. Very advance.

There are currently no reviews on CAM yet, i might download and try it out. I won't exactly say it is a modern T-Balancer however it does have similar features when paired with the CAM software. The Aquaero 5 LT is still king in terms of Fan Controller suppose as it's fan curves have so many points which you can customizer. A lot more than just seven offered by the T Balancer. It also has better software and comes with eight sensor slots which you can use. All it needs is a heatsink and it's good to go. The T Balancer BigNG only has six sensor slots available without buying any of the other expansions. The T Balancer is pretty much surpassed by Aquaero series since it has no software support. Cost more compared to the LT edition. Has less probes on the device. And worst fan curve gradients. Only reason to use it is because you have it. I do agree on your analogy how attaching thermal probes to heatsinks are less accurate.( A Margin which is around a few degrees). But i think there is a place for thermal probes since it gives the user the flexibility to attach it to any component. E.g VRM componenets or Chipset or Hard drive or just to measure the temperature in the case. There is a reason why it is there. And tbh, they aren't that much less accurate. When you place a thermal probe on a heatsink, since the heatsink is a good conductor. It should more or less represent the temperature of the component the heatsink is cooling. The Grid+ is more of a fan hub and is unable to run autonomously unlike the T-Balancer or the Aquaero 5 LT. But it is still a good product and when paired with software such as CAM (It's Free as well!) it is definitely a good product.

You could try Aquaero 6 XT, that thing has PWM control or if you are old school, go for a T-balancer BigNG

What motherboard do you own Sebbel? If you own an Asus Motherboard, their Fan Xpert 3 (or Fan Xpert 2) provides the same level of functionality you will fine on a T-Balancer and a Aquaero 5 LT. With tons of profiles and manual mode fan curves available with zero rpm possible. Now you can even connect Pumps to the motherboard for control with PWM technology. (MCP35X or MCP655 (D5 PWM). The only incentive to go for a separate fan controller will be the availability to add in a flow meter and also the safety shutdown features in case your pump or fans fail. However, you can always just connect the PWM wire to the CPU fan header and if the pump fails your computer will automatically shutdown. Same functionality

A Fan controller in an ITX case is leaning towards the overkill side. Since nowadays, most motherboard manufacturers bundle some really great Fan Control Software like the Fan Xpert 3 together with their motherboards. These software give you all the level of functionality that you will fine in a really good fan controller. And this Z97 generation, you get five thermal sensors built onto your motherboard. Temperature sensing and fan curve mapping is all done on the motherboard software. The only reason you would use a Fan Controller in a ITX case is if you have a watercooling setup with pumps that need powering and you want them to be controlled by the temperature sensors on your board or components. If that is the case, then something like a T-Balancer or Aquaero 6 XT would be fine. But since you are using Corsair H100i, then i suggest you wait for their latest Corsair Link Fan controller that will come out and can be paired with your CLC. Link to Corsair Fan Controller:

The level of Fan Functionality that the T-Balancer offers was spectacular when it first launched. But motherboard manufacturers now bundle software and hardware fan controllers that rival the functionality of the T-Balancer. T-Balancer was great but now it is just mediocre. Fan Xpert 3 pretty much can match the functions of T-Balancer now. Unless of course you want to go with a few flow meters. But if you really want a seperate hardware Fan Controller, the Aquaeros 5 LT is the way to go. It is similar in function with the T Balancer where the fan profiles can be programmed but there are more sensors allocated to you with eight instead of six from the T Balancer. It can be extended to support a total of 12 channels. It is also priced the same.

I only look for the best option. I can always learn. Nothing is too difficult

PROBLEM: I am a big thermal management person and i am considering buying a Mcubed T-Balancer MiniNG for my SSF PC since not a lot of Mitx motherboards out there have respectable thermal monitoring and top notch fan control. I was wondering how good is the T-Balancer compared to Asus's Fan Xpert 3 or Thermal Radar 2? Since Asus seems to be leading the game interms of thermal management on their motherboards. Need some guidance from people who own a T-Balancer and tried out Asus's Fan control software. Thankyou

AIDA64 and Prime95 both make your CPU draw more voltage when under stress loads. It doesn't give you a test of realistic stability since there is extra voltage supplied to the CPU It also doesn't give you a realistic test of the temperature of the CPU due to more voltage Use OCCT or Intel Burn Test, those are better for stress testing.

200mm fans are good for airflow as they do move a lot of air. Static pressure doesn't really matter for a case fan so i can safely recommend the Bitfenix Spectro Pros, i personally own one and it is very quiet. Here:http://specialtech.co.uk/spshop/customer/180mm-Fans-and-Above-cid-1902.html There is a whole list to choose from: I heard the CM Megaflows are pretty good.