Asus Sabertooth Z97 Fan Xpert 3 Question

Caleb D

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Jun 4, 2015
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I am debating on purchasing the Asus Sabertooth Z97 mobo because my case came with 3 pin fans which are dc. I understand that Fan Xpert 3 controls the fans by PWM. My question is, is there an option in Fan Xpert 3 to control 3 pin fans via dc or do I have to have 4 pin fans? Also, are 3 pin fans even compatible with this mobo, as I saw that the fan connectors are 4 pin. I want the mobo to take care of my fans RPMs for me based on temperature.
 
Solution
3 pin and 4 pin fans are compatible. The fourth pin is used for PWM (pulse width modulation) which generally controls RPM. However many motherboards are able to adjust voltages on the fly so that the PWM isn't necessary.

Blaise170

Honorable
3 pin and 4 pin fans are compatible. The fourth pin is used for PWM (pulse width modulation) which generally controls RPM. However many motherboards are able to adjust voltages on the fly so that the PWM isn't necessary.
 
Solution

Caleb D

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Jun 4, 2015
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So, there is no software to install, correct? Everything is already in bios?
 


Well, that's a yes and no. Yes, fan xpert 3 is in the BIOS itself. However if you download the software version via the AI suite 3, you will get way more flexibility in the RPMs.
 

Caleb D

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Jun 4, 2015
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So, if I change settings around in this AI suite, will it also change the settings in the bios or is there some sort of conflict there?
 


No, unfortunately they are both separated. Before you boot to your OS that has the AI suite 3 installed, the motherboard will use the BIOS Fan Xpert then once you boot into windows the AI Suite's Fan Xpert will kick in.