case fan and fan controller compatibility?

outcastz50

Honorable
May 17, 2012
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Hey so I am looking into getting this a Delta 120mm powerful case fan. Specifically one of either of these

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Delectronics&field-keywords=Delta+Electronics+FFB1212EH

They appear the same except one has a 3 pin and the other a 4 pin.

I assume one of these would be too much for the motherboard I plan to be using, so I am considering getting a fan controller.

Though I don't know which fan controller would be good and compatible with whichever choice. Here is one fan controller I am taking a look at but I have no idea on how to set it up since I've never gotten one before.

http://www.amazon.com/Sentry-Mesh-Controller-Watts-Channels/dp/B005C31G30/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1370665409&sr=1-1&keywords=NZXT+Sentry+Mesh+Fan+Controller+w%2F+Five+30+watts+Channels

These are the motherboard, psu and case I will be using.

Motherboard: http://www.amazon.com/Asus-P8Z77-V-LK-Intel-Motherboards/dp/B007RIFKTY/ref=cm_lmf_tit_2

PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153136

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133024

So please can someone explain to me..

1) Which fan would be a better choice and with what fan controller?

2) Also would I would be able to use the fan without a fan controller and connect it to my PSU without connecting it to the mobo?

3) Anything else I should know/advice?
 
4-pin and 3-pin are compatible, you just lose the PWM signal on the 4th pin. So it's more a question of whether you want PWM control of the fans.

Using an old-fashioned fan controller is just a matter of plugging the fans in and then using its controls to get the fan speed you want. More advanced fan controllers may have other features and control schemes.

1. The 4-pin one offers PWM control. Otherwise they're identical.

2. You could plug it into the PSU or the motherboard.

3. See above.