dynamic fan control

[berre95]

Hi,

 

I'm currently working on my first rig.

And something I really want to have is dynamic fan control.

(So I just have to set it up once and it will automatically increase fan speed according to my settings if my rig get's hot.)

 

The motherboard I would like to use is the Gigabyte GA-Z97X-sli.

Because it's cheap, supports sli, it has a decent enough audio channel and fits well with my color scheme.

 

But I read that gigabyte doesn't have any fan control ability's or very bad ones.

So i wanted to change to Asus for the FanXpert feature,

yet the cheapest Asus motherboard with all the features I would like is 40 euro more expensive then the Gigabyte.

So maybe i'm better of buying a fan controller?

 

I am probably going to use Windows 8.1 and speedfan apparently doesn't work with windows 8.1, is this true?

 

What would u guys suggest I do buy asus or buy gigabyte + fan controller. Or is there any software I could use for gigabyte similar to fanXpert?

And if i should get a fan controller which one should i get?

[Toltar]

Make sure you have adequate power for the controller but I do not really recommend NZXT fan controllers since they can easily fry.

 

I would recommend Lamptron fan controllers since they mainly sell just fan controllers and they specialize in it. Here is a link to their site below:

http://www.lamptron.com/

[berre95]

Hmm, the one I would pick from Lamptron is the fc touch because it has the automatic mode.

I don't want to be changing it manually all the time because I know i'll get tired of doing that and just turn it up all the time

But this would actually end up being more expensive then an Asus motherboard.

I have been looking around and found cheaper one's with an automatic feature, but i would like more freedom with the controls.

 

So I guess i'm looking for something software based, preferably with a temperature/fan speed curve so I can really set it up how i want.

 

So if you know a program which will do that, or if someone has a better idea please let me know.

[exyia]

the bigger problem is that motherboard fan headers can only support so much (or rather, very little) power - usually not enough for most people unless you go through the hassle of diverting all the fan cables to separate headers....and then they might not make sense in layout or consistency

 

hence why people usually just stick with separate fan controllers - ones with enough power per channel to keep it simple and organized for use

 

if you want software based control, the best ones are the Aquaero units - nothing matches their feature set, but they're expensive for it.

 

Bitfenix Recon operates off an optional software system, but my unit was dead out of the box and the power rating per channel wasn't very high. Just got tired of dealing with mediocre fan controllers after this one and just bought the expensive Aquaero.

[berre95]

Dayum those Aquaero's look awesome.

But they are a bit out of my price range.

 

I don't think the limited power output of the motherboard will be a problem though. I'm only planning to put 1 fan per header.

So i would buy a fan controller only to get it regulated automatically, not for extra headers or more power per channel.

 

So I am considering the nzxt grid+ because i don't think i'll fry it. i think i'll connect 5 fans max.

 

What I really would like, is to find a program like FanXpert, but for other motherboards.

But it seems so obvious that I can't really believe there isn't a program like this out there.

Because it would make for such a great update on any rig, it's way more quiet but still safe if you go into higher temps.

Asus already has it so why don't other motherboard manufacturers just follow their lead?

 

I'm really considering to save a bit more and go over my budget just to get an asus motherboard even though it will look kinda weird with the rest of the components.

it's probably still cheaper then the grid+ and the other motherboard.

[Fragsa1]

@berre95

I have an Aquaero 5LT (http://www.frozencpu.com/products/13696/bus-271/Aquacomputer_Aquaero_5_LT_USB_Fan_Controller_Liquid_System_Controller_53095.html) controlling 10 fans and I love it. Infinitely better than ASUS Fan Xpert. The software is great, only the essentials, allows for huge amounts of control. The Aquaero has 16 point fan control rather than 3 on Fan Xpert. I've been looking for a way to properly control my fans and the Aquaero was exactly what I was looking for.

 

I've had so many issues with Fan Xpert. So many issues with it locking up when another application was using 100% of the CPU. Alt-Tabing from games would see my fans suddenly jumping to their correct speed, previously only sitting at idle speeds. I'm done with software based fan control from now on.

 

The grid+ is good. Only 3 pin headers. Only 3 point control. All Fans run at the same speed. You'll need to use the NZXT Cam Software. 

 

Manual fan controllers make no sense to me.