NZXT Sentry Mix 2 Fan Controller problems

BigglezMcGee

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Oct 21, 2013
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When I have my fans plugged into this, there's a really high-pitch squeal or whine that comes out and is really annoying. It gets worse/more noticeable when I lower the power of the fans.

It isn't the fans because they work fine with no noise when plugged in and controlled through the mobo.

Thanks for any help!
 
Solution
Your Sentry uses two 4-pin Molex power connectors, correct? Have you tried switching the connectors to different ports on the PSU?

Depending on your PSU make and model, it's possible that pulling power in the 7V range is what's causing the whine - it's possible that the Mix 2 uses a variation of the "7V trick", i.e. using the 12V line and the 5V (instead of a ground) to produce 7V, or mid-range power. Some PSUs don't handle that well and fault out, or maybe produce coil whine in this case.

I'm just guessing here. It may just be a faulty controller or PSU. If switching ports doesn't work, I'd give NZXT support a call or send an email - chances are good that others have had this issue before.

BigglezMcGee

Honorable
Oct 21, 2013
49
0
10,540


They're 4-pin PWN fans. I tried the 3 pins and it seems to have no sound. Interesting development though, the sound seems to be coming from the PSU. I used a rolled up paper to hear around and that's where it was the loudest.
 
Usually if a PWM doesn't like the voltage control it'll either click or just stall out, but some like to whine (pun intended). Sounds like you're experiencing PSU coil whine. Might try switching the Sentry power plug to a different PSU port. You can never tell what is going to start a PSU whining - switching the connector may make the problem go away.

Has your PSU given off a whine previously? Currently, is it only when your Sentry is turned on? Does it whine even if the Sentry is set for full power (12V) for all fans? Is it still under warranty?
 

BigglezMcGee

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Oct 21, 2013
49
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If the controller is plugged in and there are no fans connected, no whine. The moment I connect the fans to the controller I start to hear the whining, but only if the power setting is low. If I put the fans on full blast I can't hear the whine.

I think my PSU is still under warranty, and so is the NZXT.
 
Your Sentry uses two 4-pin Molex power connectors, correct? Have you tried switching the connectors to different ports on the PSU?

Depending on your PSU make and model, it's possible that pulling power in the 7V range is what's causing the whine - it's possible that the Mix 2 uses a variation of the "7V trick", i.e. using the 12V line and the 5V (instead of a ground) to produce 7V, or mid-range power. Some PSUs don't handle that well and fault out, or maybe produce coil whine in this case.

I'm just guessing here. It may just be a faulty controller or PSU. If switching ports doesn't work, I'd give NZXT support a call or send an email - chances are good that others have had this issue before.
 
Solution

BigglezMcGee

Honorable
Oct 21, 2013
49
0
10,540


Alright, I'll give them a call for sure. Thanks a bunch for the advice.