Whether or not it is worth getting a fan controller

BuzzCut_ · Nov 14, 2016

Would it be worth getting a fan controller and putting it in the disk tray? I'm also not sure what the difference between a PWM, 2 pin, 3 pin and a 4 pin fan is. I remember seeing on a different post similar to this one that depending on the motherboard that's what fan you would chose. Also is there a difference in efficiency depending on the number of pins it has? Depending on what people say I will chose the fans in the bottom of the post. If someone could explain this to me that would be great =)

Fan Controller:
https://goo.gl/daFO3T

Fans I was thinking of getting:

1. Noctua SSO Bearing Fan Retail Cooling NF-P14s redux-1200 PWM:
https://goo.gl/W2NzHo

2. Noctua NF-P14s redux-1200 , SSO Bearing Fan
https://goo.gl/PvLMY5

3.Noctua NF-S12B redux-1200 PWM, SSO Bearing Fan
https://goo.gl/QjeE1u

4. Noctua SSO Bearing Fan Retail Cooling NF-S12B redux-1200
https://goo.gl/j3oVjL

Mother Board:
https://goo.gl/QuQxk4

Isokolon · Nov 14, 2016

take a look at the Noctua NF-A14. they use a better bearing than the P14 and run a bit more quiet.

with today's boards I fail to see the need for PWM fans, just install the fan utility that comes with your boards and set fan curve to automatic or set it manually. modern boards can control 3-Pin fans just like 4-Pin/PWM fans.
the 4th pin is used to transmit the PWM signal.
2 Pin fans can only be voltage controlled as far as I know (12V / 5.5V / 3V)

if your case supports 140mm fans and 120mm fans, go with the 140mm. they run at slower RPM thus creating less noise.

my favorite Noctua is the NF-A14 FLX, the NF-P14S redux is good as well.

generally with a board like that, a fan controller ain't worth it imo, unless you have several layers of fans that you want to engage (like 3 rad fans, 4 case fans, 2 auxillary fans that you want to switch on/off depending on the task manually)

badboyrog2 · Nov 14, 2016

a fan controller is not necessary here ..its up to you

''I'm also not sure what the difference between a PWM, 2 pin, 3 pin and a 4 pin fan is''
The small 3 pin connector fans have a (+), (-), and a tach feed back. Speed is controlled by varying the voltage.
The small 4 pin connectors have a (+), (-). tach feedback, and a PWM signal. Speed is controlled by varying the DC pulse width.
The large 4 pin Molex uses just the (+) and (-). Speed is constant unless controlled by a device upstream from the connector... as with a fan Controller

YOUR MOTHERBOARD
CPUFAN1~2, SYSFAN1~3: Fan Connectors
Fan connectors can be classified as PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) Mode and
Voltage Mode. PWM Mode fan connectors provide constant 12V output and adjust fan
speed with speed control signal. Voltage Mode fan connectors control fan speed by
changing voltage. Therefore, when you plug a 3-pin (Non-PWM) fan to a PWM Mode
fan connector, the fan speed will be always maintained at 100%, and that could be noisy

There are two ways to manage fan speed. One is to go to BIOS > HARDWARE
MONITOR. The other is to use COMMAND CENTER application

Both methods offer gradient points of the fan speed that allow you to adjust fan speed
in relation to CPU temperature

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Whether or not it is worth getting a fan controller

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