PWM Fan Controller

[PlayModeOn]

Hello,

 

I got 4 Noctua A14 3000RPM fans as case airflow fans inside my Define R5 case and are hooked up via Bitfenix Recon fan controller.

The problem is that the Bitfenix Recon isn't a PWM controller so it cannot power the Noctua A14 at a low RPM such as 800RPM.

 

What happens is that when I set the RPM for the Noctua A14 at 1500RPM the fan turns OFF for a split second and then spins at full max 3000 RPM and slowly goes down to 1500RPM, turns OFF for a millisecond then it spins full blast 3000RPM again and again, it is basically revving in an infinite loop. I think this is because 1500RPM is already 5volts (I think) and the Bitfenix Recon couldn't go below 5v (I think) so when it thinks the fans are turned off (but it's not) it gives the fan a burst of 12 volts.

 

According to the Noctua spec sheet, when the fans are controlled via an actual PWM controller it can be set to a low RPM such as 800RPM, highlighted in red.

 

Size 140x140x25 mm Connector 4-pin PWM Bearing SSO2 Blade Geometry A series with Flow Acceleration Channels Frame Technology AAO (Advanced Acoustic Optimisation) Rotational Speed (+/- 10%) 3000 RPM Min. Rotational Speed (PWM, +/-20%) 800 RPM Airflow 269,3 m³/h Acoustical Noise 41,3 dB(A) Static Pressure 10,52 mm H2O Max. Input Power 6,6 W Max. Input Current 0,55 A Voltage 12 V MTBF > 150.000 h Scope of Delivery Fan
4 Fan Screws Warranty 6 years Ingress Protection IP52 Material Fibre-glass reinforced polyamide Motor type Three-phase

 

EDIT: The above is supposed to be on a table. The table can be seen here, scroll down halfway: http://www.umart.com.au/umart1/pro/Products-details.phtml?id=&id2=228&bid=&sid=195490

 

So the question is apart from motherboards are there fan controllers that is a PWM or can undervolt? 

The NZXT Sentry 3 apparently can undervolt but can someone confirm this? Are there also other devices out there that can run this fan at the rated minimum speed?

 

Thanks.

[ADM-Ntek]

you could use this one it is expensive but it can control up to 6 PWM fans http://www.corsair.com/en/corsair-commander-mini

plus you need the corsair link software for you AIO anyway. also do not combine corsair link and NZXT cam software they conflict.

[PlayModeOn]

you could use this one it is expensive but it can control up to 6 PWM fans http://www.corsair.com/en/corsair-commander-mini

plus you need the corsair link software for you AIO anyway. also do not combine corsair link and NZXT cam software they conflict.

Nice fine. But it says Maximum power for all 6 fan headers and RGB LED channel is 4 A, that means in total I cannot have more than 4 amps? No 7 or more fans via fan splitters?

[ADM-Ntek]

correct 4 amps total. but since the fans you use only need .55A at fullspeed you are fine. but to be honest using those fans was a mistake in the first place the 2000RPM would have bin the better choice.

and i can also confirm that when the sentry uses undrvolting to control PWM fans.

[PlayModeOn]

I like to run 3000RPM in a hot summer day.

 

But I am not sure if Sentry 3 can run it at 800RPM.

[ADM-Ntek]

i´m not sure but to me it looks like the sentry only switches from 12V to 7,5V to 5V. since the lowest values shown on the pannel is 40% in your case would be 1200RPM.

but isnt 3000RPM very loud as far as i know those fans reach around 40dB  at full speed. the other alternative since you plan to upgrade anyways save the monye and invest in a board with enough PWM headers.

if you want full controll use the corsair link.

[PlayModeOn]

i´m not sure but to me it looks like the sentry only switches from 12V to 7,5V to 5V. since the lowest values shown on the pannel is 40% in your case would be 1200RPM.

but isnt 3000RPM very loud as far as i know those fans reach around 40dB  at full speed. the other alternative since you plan to upgrade anyways save the monye and invest in a board with enough PWM headers.

if you want full controll use the corsair link.

It's actually not as loud as an AMD stocker. In fact at 3000RPM inside a Define R5 which is made to reduce noise it is like a quiet car exhaust which is bearable but a stock AMD cooler is not, it sounds like a whinny jet engine. But my friends always complained that it is louder than a gaming console so I try to limit the speed but I cannot.

 

I guess I'll just use the motherboard's PWM or this Corsair controller you mentioned. Thanks.