Looking for a Fan Controller Solution

[xeromynd]

I stupidly put my faith in Corsair Link for the past few years, and while it worked fine on my old build, it's giving me nothing but headaches now (loading profiles wrong, duplicating items, etc...) It sucks, but that's apparently not news.

 

I'm looking for the following:

 

-Control a minimum of 8 fans (4x NF-A14 iPPC 2000's, and 4x Rad Fans (which will soon be something new, maybe Vardars?)

-Be able to create custom curves on all 8 fans according to CPU temp

-Software, or a hardware solution that is RELIABLE. Although I'd prefer hardware, something I know I will set once and be able to forget about. I do have two 5.25 bays available. 

-I'd really prefer to not use my motherboard's fan headers (for one, there isn't enough), and I'd like to keep as many cables out of my main area as possible.

 

 

Any suggestions you have would be hugely appreciated.

[xeromynd]

I hate to do this, but....bump?

 

I'm so sorry don't kill me.

[blackadder]

nzxt grip+ with some fan spliters would be the cheapest option. http://www.frozencpu.com/ hassome crazy fan controllers. you were right to bump this should of been answered. even cheaper but messy is a fan hum with just pins. there is also this http://www.amazon.com/FC5-Channel-30W-LED-Controller/dp/B00DQSTP0O/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1430857320&sr=1-1&keywords=lamptron they make some good controllers i hear, i have never messed with one. 

[xeromynd]

nzxt grip+ with some fan spliters would be the cheapest option. http://www.frozencpu.com/ hassome crazy fan controllers. you were right to bump this should of been answered. even cheaper but messy is a fan hum with just pins. there is also this http://www.amazon.com/FC5-Channel-30W-LED-Controller/dp/B00DQSTP0O/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1430857320&sr=1-1&keywords=lamptron they make some good controllers i hear, i have never messed with one. 

 

Will certainly consider the Grid+, thanks for the reply. I am only wary of this though, because my Corsair Commander Mini (basically the same type of thing) absolutely SUCKED. Corsair Link *grumble grumble....*

 

You also mentioned a Fan Hub, but I'm not positive how that would work.

Swiftech's for example (I think Jay uses these?) http://www.swiftech.com/8-WayPWMsplitter.aspx

 

As far as I can understand, basically all fans connect to that hub, than the hub connects to one PWM header on the motherboard. After this, essentially all fans will be detected as one through BIOS, and all will be on the same curve, no? I guess that is a good solution too. Not one I'd really considered before tbh.

[blackadder]

Will certainly consider the Grid+, thanks for the reply. I am only wary of this though, because my Corsair Commander Mini (basically the same type of thing) absolutely SUCKED. Corsair Link *grumble grumble....*

You also mentioned a Fan Hub, but I'm not positive how that would work.

Swiftech's for example (I think Jay uses these?) http://www.swiftech.com/8-WayPWMsplitter.aspx

As far as I can understand, basically all fans connect to that hub, than the hub connects to one PWM header on the motherboard. After this, essentially all fans will be detected as one through BIOS, and all will be on the same curve, no? I guess that is a good solution too. Not one I'd really considered before tbh.

you are correct good sir, the cheapo hubs run from the signal on one pmw fan. I have the Phanteks one that came with my case, i like it, i do want to control my with knobs though. 8 fans is alot for one fan header, there might be some that use molex for extra power.

[W-L]

Will certainly consider the Grid+, thanks for the reply. I am only wary of this though, because my Corsair Commander Mini (basically the same type of thing) absolutely SUCKED. Corsair Link *grumble grumble....*

 

You also mentioned a Fan Hub, but I'm not positive how that would work.

Swiftech's for example (I think Jay uses these?) http://www.swiftech.com/8-WayPWMsplitter.aspx

 

As far as I can understand, basically all fans connect to that hub, than the hub connects to one PWM header on the motherboard. After this, essentially all fans will be detected as one through BIOS, and all will be on the same curve, no? I guess that is a good solution too. Not one I'd really considered before tbh.

 

For the Swiftech splitter unfortunately they will all be under the same fan curve that will need to be controlled via a PWM header on the motherboard. As for the Grid+ it is also a group control type device where all the fans connected to it will be under the same fan curve similar to the swiftech splitter.

 

I would take the fans you want to control separately and directly connect those to the motherboard headers and have the largest group controlled via the Grid+ or Swiftech splitter if your fans are PWM.

[xeromynd]

For the Swiftech splitter unfortunately they will all be under the same fan curve that will need to be controlled via a PWM header on the motherboard. As for the Grid+ it is also a group control type device where all the fans connected to it will be under the same fan curve similar to the swiftech splitter.

 

I would take the fans you want to control separately and directly connect those to the motherboard headers and have the largest group controlled via the Grid+ or Swiftech splitter if your fans are PWM.

 

Yup, all are PWM. And you're right, that's a good idea. I'll probably put the 4x radiator fans on the hub, since theres no reason they'd be different RPMs anyway, and connect my front intakes to the board directly, I like to have them at lower speeds. Never realized how cheap hubs could be.

[W-L]

Yup, all are PWM. And you're right, that's a good idea. I'll probably put the 4x radiator on the hub, since theres no reason they'd be different RPMs anyway, and connect my front intakes to the board directly, I like to have them at lower speeds. Never realized how cheap hubs could be.

 

I use a swiftech one and it works great with my 6 Corsair QE fans.

[xeromynd]

So interesting development, I contacted Asus on twitter about where to purchase their X99 Fan Extension card (it's in the manual, but nowhere to be found online), and they'd said they would send me one. This is, really, an ideal solution to this problem. Will probably have three fans on the extension card, and three directly through the board, let's see how this works! 

 

Now I just have to wait for it to arrive.