[SOLVED] How do I keep my computer quiet?

[PocketKittens]

I guess this is a bit of a two part question. I've moved into a small apartment and my gf thinks the computer runs too loudly. It's really only too loud when gaming so I'm thinking it's the gpu. I gave the inside a good cleaning (including new thermal paste for the cpu) but it's still too loud.

I also bought 2 new 4 pin computer fans for the case, but my motherboard has a 4 pin and then a 3 pin for its extra fan slots. The 3 pin runs super loud and I can't figure how to control it's voltage through the gigabyte bios or through SpeedFan. My temperatures aren't getting very high while gaming so maybe I can slow the fans a bit or something? I'm just a bit over my head and need some advice.

 

[kurdtnz]

Full system specs?

 

[PocketKittens]

Motherboard: Gigabyte z97-hd3p
Cpu: i5-4690
Gpu: Nvidia GTX 970
Case: Aerocool CS 1103 (https://aerocool.io/product/cs-1103/)

Need anything else?

 

[wi5pa]

The 3 pin fan cant be controlled, you need a 4 pin fan for control of the speed

edit: get a 4 pin splitter to plug both 4 pins into the same motherboard 4 pin, make sure its a 4pin to 2 x 4 pins splitter

 

[PocketKittens]

The 3 pin fan cant be controlled, you need a 4 pin fan for control of the speed

get a 4 pin splitter to plug both 4 pins into the same motherboard 4 pin

Why would my motherboard have the two 4 pin slots and the last be a 3 pin? Seems like a strange design choice

 

[wi5pa]

3 pins could be used as case fans,
cost-cutting,
poor design choice

 

[PocketKittens]

3 pins could be used as case fans,
cost-cutting,
poor design choice

That's what I'm trying to do though, use this for my extra case fan. It defeats the purpose though when this fan plugged into the 3pin slot runs like a turbo powered vacuum cleaner from hell the whole time haha

 

[SkyNetRising]

The 3 pin fan cant be controlled, you need a 4 pin fan for control of the speed

Not true.
3pin fans get regulated by voltage (DC regulation).
4pin fans get regulated by pulse width (hence pulse width modulation PWM).

Modern motherboards allow to change regulation type for fan headers.
So on 4pin header you can use both 3pin and 4pin fans. Just have to set appropriate fan regulation type in BIOS.

But on 3pin header you have to use 3pin fan. 4pin PWM fan can not be properly regulated on it. It will either run at full speed or half speed all the time.

 

[PocketKittens]

So it looks like my best option will be to get a fan hub to get more 4 pin slots?

 

[wi5pa]

Skynet above is mis-reading,

you already have 2 x 4 pin fans,
you already have a 4 pin on motherboard

So you only need a 4 pin splitter to 2 x 4 pin

 

[SkyNetRising]

So it looks like my best option will be to get a fan hub to get more 4 pin slots?

Your best option is getting 3pin fan for 3pin header.

Edit: Your motherboard has 4x fan headers. Check motherboard manual.

CPU_FAN (4pin)​

SYS_FAN1(4pin)​

SYS_FAN2(4pin)​

SYS_FAN3(3pin)​

​

So you can connect both 4pin system fans to your motherboard. No splitters necessary.

 

[wi5pa]

Your best option is getting 3pin fan for 3pin header.

Edit: Your motherboard has 4x fan headers. Check motherboard manual.

CPU_FAN (4pin)​

SYS_FAN1(4pin)​

SYS_FAN2(4pin)​

SYS_FAN3(3pin)​

​

So you can connect both 4pin system fans to your motherboard.

Why ??

He already has 2 x 4 pin fans so a 4 pin splitter would be better ?