Can't adjust CPU fan speed

[iamiancredible]

Motherboard - Sabertooth 990FX R 2.0
CPU cooler - NZXT Havik

I have recently been trying to overclock my CPU, I can't do this because my CPU fan speed won't change and runs at around the 1700RPM mark without change.

Ok so I will get straight down to it with what I know so far. My fan has a 3 pin plug so Applications cant control the fan speed but the BIOS apparently can, I understand that part.

I have 3 options in my BIOS for fan speed control, I have to set the 'Cool and Quiet' option on first though. Disabled by CPU, Enabled always, Disabled always. I have set it to Enabled always.

I have the options to control my fans (CPU and chassis fans) Disabled, Silent, Standard, Turbo and Manual. I have tried all these options (even disabled and setting to manual so my fan runs at 100% when at 20C) but my fan is still stuck on 1700 RPM.

I have also flashed my BIOS Rom to the latest which has made no difference.

Any idea on how to solve this so that I can get my fan to change speed?

 

[bgunner]

That board can control those type fans through Thermal Radar. In bios be sure to set Cool and Quiet to always on. Be sure that the CPU fans are connected to the CPU fan header and CPU_OPT if you have 2. IF you are using the stock NZXT fans the max speed is 1500 rpm +/- 10% so your fans are running at full blast.

Use thermal radar (supplied from Asus for the sabertooth boards) to set a custom fan curve.

 

[iamiancredible]

Thanks for the Reply bgunner


Tried everything you said but still no luck, it's stuck on 1700RPM and changing the fan speeds in the AI suite does absolutely nothing at all... then again changing it in the BIOS does absolutely nothing at all which is very strange. I have even went into my BIOS settings and Reset them to defaults then tried again.

Edit - On a second thought, my huge CPU fan must be piss poor (pardon my French) at cooling my CPU if it's stuck on Max, used PRIME 95 to heat my CPU up and try get it to kick in faster and it peaks at about 55C at stock settings (3.1HGZ), that's awful!

 

[bgunner]

I assure you that board will control 3 pin fans. For kicks and giggles move the CPU fan to the chassis fan 4 which is by the rear outputs but the bottom connector. Be sure to plug a fan in to the CPU header so the board does not throw the CPU_fan error and prevent start up. Then in thermal radar go to last tab, this one controls the GPU fan and has a manual slider, and try adjusting it there.

I have some 3 pin fans in my case and have the same exact board so I again assure you it will adjust them. I'm starting to think it is user error/not understanding how to use the program that is causing this issue.

EDIT: a uninstall and reinstall of thermal radar may help as well.

 

[iamiancredible]

I assure you that board will control 3 pin fans. For kicks and giggles move the CPU fan to the chassis fan 4 which is by the rear outputs but the bottom connector. Be sure to plug a fan in to the CPU header so the board does not throw the CPU_fan error and prevent start up. Then in thermal radar go to last tab, this one controls the GPU fan and has a manual slider, and try adjusting it there.

I have some 3 pin fans in my case and have the same exact board so I again assure you it will adjust them. I'm starting to think it is user error/not understanding how to use the program that is causing this issue.

EDIT: a uninstall and reinstall of thermal radar may help as well.

I was starting to think that it was a user error myself that's why I came on to ask advice. Quick update, uninstalled and reinstalled AI SUITE 2 three times to be sure but no change. I can change the speeds of my Chassis fans with the AI Suite and BIOS but my CPU speed is still stuck on around the 1700RPM mark, I know I could probably connect it to a chasis fan 3 pin slot and control it from there but I would prefer to make it work through the correct CPU-header. I think my Motherboard must be faulty.

 

[bgunner]

Like I said before, IF you are using the stock NZXT fans the max rpm for those fans are 1500 +/- 10% so if it reads 1700 ish rpm your fans are spinning full blast. This means that the program will not allow it to go faster than the max which it is at now. Thermal radar will allow the fan to slow down. In the CPU fan control you would have to move the lower point to a higher temp in order to help slow the fan down along with moving the high and medium temp points. If you do not click apply the fan speeds will not move. If you enter the BIOS and do a reset/load default settings you will have to reenter the Thermal radar and reapply your settings. I'm not sure why but the thermal radar will not use the user settings once this is done so you need to tell it to use them again.

Be sure the fans are plugged into the CPU_Fan header and not the CPU_OPT header. It would be best if you do not use the Y connector supplied with the cooler since you have 2 CPU fan headers to use.

these boards have a 5 year warranty on them so if it is found to be faulty it can be replaced with little hassel besides teh customer reps going through the trouble shooting with you.

 

[iamiancredible]

Thanks for the suggestions bgunner, I have tried that before but thought why not give it another blast. I went into AI suite, Thermal Radar, CPU fan, Settings and set my fan to user, Dropped my fan speed all the way down to it's minimum of 20% and hit apply, the little yellow circle dropped all the way down to match the line (meaning it should be running at 20%), the fan speed is still 1700RPM.

I'm 100% sure it's plugged in the CPU_fan on the Motherboard and not the CPU_OPT, I am using the Y connector supplied with the fan though but I don't have much of an option as the cables are really short without the Y connector. I'm guessing something is faulty with the CPU-Fan controller which is a real pity because it takes about two weeks and a lot of messing around to get another motherboard ordered and fitted in, the CPU bracket also has to be taken off as the NZXT needed a custom one to be fitted... I might not even bother.

 

[bgunner]

You did say that you tried the fans in a different header? Like a chassis header and it would control then correct? If not try this and see if the RPM changes to be sure the tachometer in the fan is working properly. If the RPM numbers do not change physically look at the fan blades and listen for a reduced sound and speed. It is possible the the tach is bad in the fans.

Before Asus would warranty the board they will want you to hook a 4 pin fan to the CPU header. If you have one you may want to try this on your own to be sure what the issue is. I would not trust a CPU_fan header that was not acting proper for any fan for the CPU. It is also possible to replace your fans on the cooler so this is an option also if the tach is dead in one of the fans.