I need a new fan controller

[JoostinOnline]

I got 3 of these 140mm fans for Christmas, planning to run them at around 10% for most of the time to keep a quiet system.  After installing them I realized that MSI only lets you set fans to 50% minimum.  There doesn't seem to be any workaround for it.  Before anyone suggests it, Speedfan doesn't work either.

 

I'd like something that will let me control the 4 pin fans individually, and via software so the speed can be set based on temperature. I know I've seen at least one RGB fan controller that plugged into a USB header.  Does anyone know of something that would work?  Obviously I need them to be compatible with those Corsair fans.

[WoodenMarker]

What motherboard are you using and what headers are you plugging the fans into? The headers that only allow fans to go down to 50% are usually dc headers that aren't meant for 4pin pwm fans. For 4pin pwm fans and ML fans especially, plug them into 4pin pwm fan headers. 140mm ML Pros also only have a minimum rpm of ~20%. 

[JoostinOnline]

7 minutes ago, WoodenMarker said:

What motherboard are you using and what headers are you plugging the fans into? The headers that only allow fans to go down to 50% are usually dc headers that aren't meant for 4pin pwm fans. For 4pin pwm fans and ML fans especially, plug them into 4pin pwm fan headers. 140mm ML Pros also only have a minimum rpm of ~20%. 

https://us.msi.com/Motherboard/Z97-PC-Mate/Overview

 

The two 4-pin connectors for the CPU allow 20-100% speeds.  The other 4-pin connector (I used a splitter) only allows 50-100%.  I haven't plugged anything into the 3-pin connectors.

 

I'd be totally fine with 20-30%.  50% all the time is LOUD though.

[WoodenMarker]

19 minutes ago, JoostinOnline said:

https://us.msi.com/Motherboard/Z97-PC-Mate/Overview

The two 4-pin connectors for the CPU allow 20-100% speeds.  The other 4-pin connector (I used a splitter) only allows 50-100%.  I haven't plugged anything into the 3-pin connectors.

I'd be totally fine with 20-30%.  50% all the time is LOUD though.

Only the cpu_fan headers provide a 4pin pwm signal. The sys_fan1 header provides dc control for 2-3pin fans and and the sys_fan2/3 headers only provide power and no control.

I'd suggest using a splitter to power your fans off of the cpu_fan headers.

[JoostinOnline]

2 minutes ago, WoodenMarker said:

Only the cpu_fan headers provide a 4pin pwm signal. The sys_fan1 header provides dc control for 2-3pin fans and and the sys_fan2/3 headers only provide power and no control.

I'd suggest using a splitter to power your fans off of the cpu_fan headers.

Super confused.  Why does it have a 4 pin connector if it's for 2-3 pin fans?

 

I'd like to control the fans individually anyway though.  I don't mind buying something else.

[WoodenMarker]

19 minutes ago, JoostinOnline said:

Super confused.  Why does it have a 4 pin connector if it's for 2-3 pin fans?

I'd like to control the fans individually anyway though.  I don't mind buying something else.

Good question--I'm not exactly sure why. It could be to reduce any confusion about backwards comparability. 

I don't know of any pwm fan controllers. Why do you need to control them individually? Where are they being used?

[JoostinOnline]

30 minutes ago, WoodenMarker said:

Good question--I'm not exactly sure why. It could be to reduce any confusion about backwards comparability. 

I don't know of any pwm fan controllers. Why do you need to control them individually? Where are they being used?

I want my system to be as quiet as possible.  Right now it sounds like a jet engine.  There are two in the top, one in the front.

[WoodenMarker]

34 minutes ago, JoostinOnline said:

I want my system to be as quiet as possible.  Right now it sounds like a jet engine.  There are two in the top, one in the front.

The system is only as quiet as the loudest component. Why not just run all the fans at the same rpm using splitters?

[LogicalDrm]

6 hours ago, JoostinOnline said:

Super confused.  Why does it have a 4 pin connector if it's for 2-3 pin fans?

 

I'd like to control the fans individually anyway though.  I don't mind buying something else.

That's marketing mainly. For past few gens before current having 4pin headers was like having PWM headers for mainstream users. I've done same mistake. But now I know you need to read actual pins from manual before buying.

 

AFAIK there isn't any controllers with software. There is/was some old style with screen, dials and temp probes.

[JoostinOnline]

7 hours ago, LoGiCalDrm said:

That's marketing mainly. For past few gens before current having 4pin headers was like having PWM headers for mainstream users. I've done same mistake. But now I know you need to read actual pins from manual before buying.

 

AFAIK there isn't any controllers with software. There is/was some old style with screen, dials and temp probes.

This is what I was referring to.  I don't know if it will work with a different brand.

[LogicalDrm]

53 minutes ago, JoostinOnline said:

This is what I was referring to.  I don't know if it will work with a different brand.

That looks like its just RGB controller. Not PWM.

[LogicalDrm]

I can only find dial controller for PWM, and those are per single fan. Nothing really helpful. There's one community member/moderator who was going to make custom controller, but that might be eternity project styled. I can't remember who it was