Can a Deep Cool PWM Fan Hub Control 3 Pin Fans?

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xTorpeter

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Dec 18, 2013
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Hi guys ive searched far and wide but still havent gotten an answer
Can a deep cool PWM fan hub http://
control 3 Pin fans specifically Corsair AF120 NonLED
Connected to mobo header AsRock AB350 Pro4 using bios
 
Solution
Aeacus
Short answer: Yes.

Long answer:
Since your MoBo auto-detects if you've connected 3-pin or 4-pin fan, it adjusts itself to DC control mode or PWM control mode. While in DC control mode, MoBo can regulate the input voltage to fans and less voltage = slower spinning fan.

The fan hub itself doesn't control anything. What it does is spreading the voltage coming from MoBo between all connected fans. Just like multi socket extension cord spreads the voltage coming from one socket to all sockets it has.
Note: all fans connected to PWM fan hub will run in sync.
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Short answer: Yes.

Long answer:
Since your MoBo auto-detects if you've connected 3-pin or 4-pin fan, it adjusts itself to DC control mode or PWM control mode. While in DC control mode, MoBo can regulate the input voltage to fans and less voltage = slower spinning fan.

The fan hub itself doesn't control anything. What it does is spreading the voltage coming from MoBo between all connected fans. Just like multi socket extension cord spreads the voltage coming from one socket to all sockets it has.
Note: all fans connected to PWM fan hub will run in sync.
 
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Solution


That means I'm able to use for example this: https://www.amazon.com/SilverStone-System-Cables-Black-CPF04/dp/B00VNW556I/ref=sr_1_2?tag=r0f34-20&ie=UTF8&qid=1501791536&sr=8-2&keywords=pwm+fan+hub along with non-PWM 3pin fans and I would be able to control speeds of all non PWM fans at the same time? really?

My build: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/wQLkQV

 
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Short answer: No.

Long answer:
Silverstone fan hub can't control 3-pin fans, since to achieve DC control for 8 fans via BIOS, the MoBo fan header must be the one that supplies and regulates all the input power. Most MoBo fan headers are rated for 1A at 12V and can support 2-3 fans (up to 5 fans if fan amperage is below 0.2A).

It's designed for 4-pin fans and it can control 4-pin fans via PWM signal from MoBo, so you can control all fans from BIOS. But it can't control 3-pin fans since as i said, the input voltage must be regulated to control 3-pin fans. Since all input voltage comes from SATA connector, 3-pin fans can't be controlled.
Same is also stated on the product page,
link: http://silverstonetek.com/product.php?pid=526&area=en

Deepcool fan splitter is different than Silverstone fan hub since Deepcool doesn't have source for external power. And that's why 3-pin fans can be controlled with Deepcool fan splitter and can't be controlled with Silverstone fan hub.

Also, why would you need to use it? I don't see AIO in your build which can house 2-4 fans.
While your case can support 5-6 fans, your MoBo also has 3x SYS_FAN headers. With 6x case fans, you're much better off using Y-splitter and connecting 2 fans to one MoBo SYS_FAN header. This way, you can control the speed of 3-pin fans where both fans run in sync. Here's one such Y-splitter (2x Y-splitters in the box),
amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Noctua-NA-SYC1-Accessory-4-pin-Y-Cables/dp/B00KG8K5CY

As far as the rest of your build goes, i'd use i7-6700K CPU with Z170 chipset MoBo since you can OC K-series CPU. Non-K CPUs can't be OCd.

And Intel 600p M.2 NVMe SSD has very poor performance when it comes to the M.2 NVMe SSDs. Here's a comparison between Intel 600p and Samsung 850 Evo 2.5" SSDs,
link: http://ssd.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Samsung-850-Evo-250GB-vs-Intel-600p-Series-NVMe-PCIe-M2-256GB/2977vsm169054

For proper M.2 NVMe SSD, you need to look towards Samsung 960 Evo,
comparison: http://ssd.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Samsung-960-Evo-NVMe-PCIe-M2-250GB-vs-Intel-600p-Series-NVMe-PCIe-M2-256GB/m200373vsm169054
 
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That was an awesome reply.

So your suggestion is simply buying normal cheap 3pin fans and have their speed regulated via voltage using mobo headers and splitters? To be honest I never thought about that, it might be good actually.

Couple of questions:

1)How many fans can I plug per SYS_FAN header? 2 as thats what the splitter is able to do, right?
2)The splitter u linked offers PWM support, theres no issues using 3pin fans on a 4pin splitter, right?
3)Would there be any difference between controlling via native PWM vs voltage?

As for why do I need it, I am aware I might be good with the stock fans my case came with, but I want to increase airflow and at the same time include some sexy LED/RGB fans so I think I'm gonna buy 3x 120mm fans as front intake and use the ones I have now as exhaust at the top/rear.

As for NVME, when I built this the Samsung one was way too expensive, I know it doesnt perform as well but it suits my needs.


 
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1) With Y-splitter: 2x fans.
But as i stated above, until you don't overpower the 1A rating of common MoBo fan header, you can hook more fans to single fan header. For example: Corsair AF120 Quiet Edition has operating amperage of 0.08A and in theory, you can hook 12x Corsair AF120 Quiet Edition fans on single MoBo fan header. But since most fans operate at 0.3A, it's safe to connect 2x fans per one MoBo fan header. However, you can connect 3x fans too but you must make sure that you don't exceed the 1A rating. Else-ways, you'll fry the fan header and you can also damage your MoBo further.

2) Yes, there are no issues.

3) Yes, there is.
With DC control (aka voltage regulation), the input voltage to the fan is regulated. The less voltage fan gets - the slower it spins.
With PWM control, fan will receive +12V all the time. While the PWM signal is used to tell the fan how fast it has to spin. 4-pin fans have fan controller inside the central fan hub. Though, 4-pin fans can also be controlled by regulating input voltage.
Noticeable difference between DC control and PWM control can be seen with 4-pin fan which has LEDs. With DC control, the LEDs shine dimmer when there's less input voltage. With PWM control, LEDs shine bright, regardless the rotation speed of the fan.

As far as RGB fans go, there's not much to choose from, only 4:
1. Thermaltake Riing RGB
2. Corsair SP120 RGB
3. Corsair HD120 RGB
4. NZXT AER RGB

I have 3x NZXT AER140 RGB fans in my Skylake build, alongside Corsair ML120/ ML140 red LED fans. Full specs with pics in my sig.
 
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Gotcha. Thanks!

Since you have the AER RGB fans, I've been thinking in spending quite a lot of money and getting em, are they good?

I'm so tempted in getting hue+ ,3 RGB AER fans and the nzxt led strip to have full control on my lightning, but its kinda expensive, but I'm seriously considering it lol. Thoughts?
 
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HUE+ is the best LED lighting kit for PCs there is and AER RGB fans are also great looking. Since AER RGB fans are AF fans, the don't produce much static pressure but for regular case fan, they will do just fine while looking awesome.
Performance vise, Corsair ML pro LED fans are better, by airflow, static pressure and RPM range,
specs: http://www.corsair.com/en-eu/cooling/ml-series-fans

When buying HUE+ and AER RGB fans, don't buy the AER RGB & HUE+ set with the intention to buy LED strips separately (as i did with my Skylake build).
AER RGB & HUE+: https://www.nzxt.com/products/aer-rgb-hue
HUE+ Extension Kit: https://www.nzxt.com/products/hue-plus-extension-kit

Since if you do that, you'll miss out on LED connector cable which you have to order from NZXT separately (cost free). Under the spoiler is image of the missing connector cable:
UvosV9t.jpg

source: http://imgur.com/UvosV9t
Instead, buy HUE+ kit (comes with 4x LED strips) and afterwards, buy AER RGB fans separately (as i'm going to do with my Haswell build).
HUE+: https://www.nzxt.com/products/hue-plus
AER RGB: https://www.nzxt.com/products/aer-rgb

Oh, HUE+ has 2 channels and it supports 4x LED strips or 5x AER RGB fans per channel. But you can't hook up LED strip and AER RGB fan to the same channel.
 
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Awesome. thanks.

I think I'm gonna go with AER since its nice to be able to control everything lightning related via software. I need em for case fans so I guess they will do just fine. My wallet will seriously hurt but oh wel...I'm tempted lmao.

As for the kit, I was literally about to place the bundle combo thinking it also included led strips, only to found it did not, luckily I realized in time.

Anyway, buying all the components separately doesnt give you the best price.

Buying the following is the best price-wise:

1)HUE+ + 2 AER RGB fans bundle.
2)Single RGB AER fan (since I want three fans for intake)
3)2x extension led strip kit
4)Contact NZXT and they'll provide the connectors for free.

It's not a huge difference, but its around 25-30 bucks than buying everything separetely.

I did look at corsair ml series, but that LED ones are like 30 each and arent even rgb, I can get 3x RGB AER fans for $80. So yeah, guess ill have to sacrifice a lil bit of airflow/rpm for the LOOKS! haha.

If you feel like adding something else please do so, you're awesome!
 
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As far as NZXT HUE+ and AER RGB prices go, it completely depends on where you live.

For example, i handed out €85.60 to get AER140 RGB & HUE+ set while the single AER140 RGB fan did cost me €34.40. Since i was missing out LED strips i contacted NZXT and received my LED connector cable. I also paid €41.20 to get HUE+ Extension Kit (2x LED strips). Luckily, in time, i was able to change my order from HUE+ Extension Kit to HUE+ kit by paying additional €15.70 and i received HUE+ kit (controller with 4x LED strips). Since i have more than one desktop PC in my household, i took 2 LED strips out of HUE+ kit and added them to my Skylake build, while the rest (HUE+ and 2x LED strips) goes to my Haswell build.
In total, i paid €176.90 for the NZXT RGB products in my Skylake build.

Since i want the same exact setup into my Haswell build as well (HUE+, 2x LED strips, 3x AER140 RGB fans) and i already have HUE+ with 2x LED strips, i only need to buy AER140 RGB 3-pack that costs me €74.80. Even if i would need to buy HUE+ kit for my Haswell build, i'd still save a lot of money since the same setup would cost me in total of €131.70. Also, i wouldn't have to contact NZXT again to get the missing LED connector cable.

AER RGB fan 3-pack can be cheaper than buying 3 fans separately,
pcpp: https://pcpartpicker.com/products/compare/w7RFf7,CDZ2FT,DJyxFT,c4M323/

Though, if you plan to do the same as i did with my Skylake build then here's the link to the NZXT customer support page for submitting a ticket to get your LED connector cable,
link: https://www.nzxt.com/users/login#acc-submit-ticket
Note: to get LED connector cable, you must provide the invoice of AER RGB & HUE+ set.

And once you have HUE+, you'll need NZXT CAM software to control the LEDs in the fans and in the LED strip,
link: https://camwebapp.com/
 
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Yeah, I'll send them the invoice and do just that... It's gonna be incredibly expensive but well, I just hope its worth it compared to single led fans controlled by voltage via a Y splitter. I hope its simply AMAZING cause I'm spending over $150 in pure lightning lmao.



 
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NZXT RGB LEDs are amazing, especially at nighttime. 😀

Any kind of RGB comes with a premium price, especially when you have a lot of control over RGB LEDs. It's best seen with KBs, e.g Corsair STRAFE with Cherry MX Silent switches. Regular Corsair STRAFE KB costs $79.99 but if you want to have RGB with 16.2 million colors, you're looking to pay extra $70 just to get RGB,
pcpp: https://pcpartpicker.com/products/compare/rHzZxr,BcH48d/
 
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