[SOLVED] Noob needing help with Case Fans

[Ripper351]

Sorry for this being my third thread lately, but you all have been very helpful in getting me through this build! As I finish up I am just trying to figure out how to properly configure my case/ CPU fans.

MY HARDWARE:
I have a Z390 Aorus Ultra Motherboard, the NH-D15 CPU cooler, 3 exhaust fans (3 pin- no RGB), and 3 intake fans (4 pin touchaqua Notos 120 RGB).
It looks like my Motherboard has the following headers for fans: CPU_FAN, CPU_OPT, SYS_FAN_3, SYS_FAN_4, SYS_FAN_5_PUMP, and SYS_FAN_6_PUMP.
And the touchaqua fans also came with a RGB controller as well as a PWM controller that has ten inputs (www.imgur.com/mDT1Un3) The Red input is labeled as PWM whereas the black ones are labeled as non-PWM, and the instructions say to plug the PWM interface into the CPU_FAN header.
Instructions for the PWM Controller is here if you need to see it: www.imgur.com/G6JHPUR
Questions:

1. Should I plug all of my 6 case fans into that PWM controller from touchaqua, which would then plug into a single SYS_FAN, or should I split it up and put 3 intakes on the controller, and then plug the 3 exhaust into 3 of the SYS_FANs? I'm not sure what the difference is between plugging directly into the mobo vs using the controller, but it seems like if I used the extra controller, I couldn't control all the fans that are plugged into the black inputs?
2. Can I plug case fans into the fan headers labeled CPU_OPT and PUMP?
3. As for controlling the fans/ curves, would this all be done in BIOS or do I need separate software?
4. If i plug the PWM interface into the CPU_FAN header, then were does my CPU_FAn get plugged in at?

 

[JohnBonhamsGhost]

the CPU_OPT header usually is just a "clone" of the CPU_FAN. so whatever settings CPU_FAN is set at, the CPU_OPT will be the same. usually designed for dual fan CPU coolers.

SYS_FAN_3 & SYS_FAN_4 will give you motherboard controlled PWM control over those fans attached.
either through the BIOS or through motherboard manufacturer control software you can create and set fan speed curve profiles to control the speed of the fans based on the CPU's, motherboard's, or other system temperatures.
Gigabyte should have software available for controlling certain motherboard aspects from within Windows. the fan options should be included in that software.

the PUMP headers can be used for fans but a lot of times you won't get PWM control over the fan attached. you would have to test them out and see.
try plugging in a 4pin fan and see if the BIOS or motherboard software gives you fan RPM readings or fan curve options for that PUMP header.

the easiest way is usually to use the included fan hub. just plug it's PWM out cable to the most accessible SYS_FAN header, set it to auto(if it has that option), and then create a single fan speed curve profile for that SYS_FAN header. all fans attached to the PWM inputs will run at the same speeds creating less fluctuations in noise and airflow.
i would connect 3 of the same type here, and the other 3 to other motherboard fan headers.

 

[Ripper351]

the CPU_OPT header usually is just a "clone" of the CPU_FAN. so whatever settings CPU_FAN is set at, the CPU_OPT will be the same. usually designed for dual fan CPU coolers.

SYS_FAN_3 & SYS_FAN_4 will give you motherboard controlled PWM control over those fans attached.
either through the BIOS or through motherboard manufacturer control software you can create and set fan speed curve profiles to control the speed of the fans based on the CPU's, motherboard's, or other system temperatures.
Gigabyte should have software available for controlling certain motherboard aspects from within Windows. the fan options should be included in that software.

the PUMP headers can be used for fans but a lot of times you won't get PWM control over the fan attached. you would have to test them out and see.
try plugging in a 4pin fan and see if the BIOS or motherboard software gives you fan RPM readings or fan curve options for that PUMP header.

the easiest way is usually to use the included fan hub. just plug it's PWM out cable to the most accessible SYS_FAN header, set it to auto(if it has that option), and then create a single fan speed curve profile for that SYS_FAN header. all fans attached to the PWM inputs will run at the same speeds creating less fluctuations in noise and airflow.
i would connect 3 of the same type here, and the other 3 to other motherboard fan headers.

Wow, thanks so much for the great reply! That really helps! So since my front 3 intake fans are all the same, probably hook them up to the PWM controller, then plug the other three exhaust fans into, say, SYS_FAN3 & 4 & PUMP_5?

Also, regarding what you said about the OPT being for dual fan coolers: My cooler is a dual fan that came with a splitter so that they can both be plugged into one CPU_FAN header. What would the difference be between using the splitter and plugging them both into CPU_FAN vs plugging one into CPU_FAN and the other into CPU_OPT? I imagine the former would mean the fans run at the same speed, whereas the latter would allow me to have different speeds for each fan? In that case, I would just use the splitter since I wouldn't need separate fan speeds.

 

[JohnBonhamsGhost]

What would the difference be between using the splitter and plugging them both into CPU_FAN vs plugging one into CPU_FAN and the other into CPU_OPT?

most likely exactly the same either way.

the CPU_OPT usually just follows the CPU_FAN settings without having individual control.

the only difference would probably be just an additional cable showing from the motherboard. instead of the splitter cable being tucked away out of site and "hiding" the secondary fan's cables.

 

[Ripper351]

most likely exactly the same either way.

the CPU_OPT usually just follows the CPU_FAN settings without having individual control.

the only difference would probably be just an additional cable showing from the motherboard. instead of the splitter cable being tucked away out of site and "hiding" the secondary fan's cables.

Excellent! Thanks for the help!

 

[Paperdoc]

You have a lot of capability there, but how some of these items function is not clear, so I can help with that. That leads to how to connect.

1. The only way to control the speed of a 3-pin fan is to have the fan header use the older Voltage Control Mode. The new 4-pin fans are best used with the newer PWM Mode instead, but their speeds can be controlled by that older Voltage Control Mode. So ONE way to handle a mix of fans all sharing a single fan header is to set it to use Voltage Control Mode since both fan types can work that way. ANOTHER way is to split up your different fan types into two groups: power all of the 3-pin fans from headers using Voltage Control Mode, and all of the 4-pin models from different headers using PWM Mode.
2. Your mobo has two headers (CPU_FAN and CPU_OPT) best suited to power and control CPU cooling devices, but you only have one cooler, although it has two fans. I fully suspect that unit comes with a small Splitter so you can connect both fans to a single header, and I recommend that - use the CPU_FAN header and leave the other empty. Ensure in BIOS Setup (see your mobo manual p.33) that the CPU_FAN is set for Normal Speed Control (pre-programmed and a good starting point), to use the CPU internal temperature sensor (IF you even have a choice on this header), use PWM Mode for the 4-pin fans, and Disable the Fan Stop option. Temp Warning Control should be Enabled and set for the right trigger temp for your CPU, and Fan Fail Warning also should be Enabled. The Noctua unit comes with small "Low Noise Adapters" that can be inserted into the fan's wiring. These are only for use when you cannot connect those fans to a mobo header. When you use automatic fan speed control from the mobo, those adapters interfere and should NOT be used in your system.
3. Your touchaqua fans came with two useful Hubs - one for the fan motors, and one for the ARGB lights in them. Let's deal with the motor Hub first and get to the lights later. This hub is the one with one red output port, and little plastic "tongues" sticking out under the pins of each port. The way that unit works is this. The Hub MUST receive two inputs: a connection to a SATA power output from the PSU for power to the fans, and a small cable from the end input on the Hub to one mobo SYS_FAN header. That header MUST be configured to use the new PWM Mode because the Hub needs that signal to work. (By the way, that is why they recommend plugging this into the CPU_FAN header, which you should NOT do! On some early mobos, the only header sure to be using PWM Mode was the CPU_FAN header. So some hub makers tell you to use that for their Hub just to be sure it gets that signal it needs. BUT on your mobo ALL of your SYS_FAN headers have the option to use PWM Mode.) What that Hub does is merely pass on the mobo header signals to the one fan on its Red output, AND that is the only Hub output that will send its fan's speed signal back to the mobo header. (The header cannot deal with more than one fan speed signal.) For all of the other (Black) 4-pin outputs on the Hub, what it really does is convert the incoming PWM Mode signals into the older Voltage Control Mode signal type which is REQUIRED for your 3-pin fans, and CAN be used with 4-pin ones. So for ideal application, you could use this Hub for your 3-pin fans on its Black outputs. I have seen a Hub of this design elsewhere, and there are some conflicting stories about it. SOME claim (not sure it is true) that it only works if you really do plug a 4-pin fan into that one Red output. So maybe do that. Put one of your 4-pin touchaqua fans on the Red output, and all three of your 3-pin fans on Black outputs.
4. That leaves you with two 4-pin touchaqua fans not plugged in yet. Well, you actually have SIX SYS_FAN headers available. On p.15 of your manual it shows FOUR SYS_FAN headers with key labels #5, plus two combo SYS_FAN/PUMP headers with key labels #6. Those last two are useful for EITHER a fan OR a Pump, and in BIOS Setup configuration for them (p. 33) you specify which type of device is plugged in. Usually when you specify PUMP use, the automatic fan speed control system is turned off because most pumps want a fixed 12 VDC supply so they can run full speed. Now, unless you find cable lengths force you to use those two headers at the bottom front, you probably won't use them. IF you connect nothing to them, I suggest you go into their configuration screens and ensure that their Fail Warning option is DISabled. So now you're down to four regular SYS_FAN headers, of which one is already used for the fan Hub with its four fans. So plug your remaining two 4-pin touchaqua fans into two of the empty SYS_FAN headers. In BIOS Setup you should configure all three of these headers you are using the same way so all your fans do the same thing. Choose Normal Speed Control, use the Motherboard temp sensor (not the one inside the CPU chip), and PWM Mode of control so all your 4-pin fans and the hub receive the PWM signal. I suggest you Disable Fan Stop, Enable Temp Warning and set it low for the mobo (may need to raise that later), and Enable the Fan Fail Warning.
5. Now for the ARGB Hub. I say ARGB because these are Addressable RGB lights with a 3-pin input cable (unlike the plain RGB lights that use a 4-pin system). Further, the specs say they require a 5 VDC power supply, which is how nearly all ARGB lights work. This Hub looks a little like the fan motor Hub, but it has 3-pin output ports and a signal input cable ending in a 3-pin ARGB connector much wider than a fan connector. This must go to one of your mobos' D_LED headers - see manual p. 15, key #9 - at top front. It also has a cable to connect to a SATA power output from the PSU. Its operation is similar to that of the motor Hub - it gets all power for its lights from the PSU, but distributes the master control signal from the mobo D_LED header to all its light units. Note also next to the D_LED headers the key #10, and see p. 18, Item 10. This mobo makes provision for an uncommon earlier version of ARGB lights that used a 12 VDC supply. You must ensure that the jumpers on the pins are set to the default position for 5 VCD, which is the spec for your fan lights.

If you do it all this way, you get:
Noctua CPU cooler will operate by itself under mobo automatic control guided by the actual temperature inside the CPU.
All six of your case fans will be automatically speed controlled according to a different temp sensor on the mobo. Since you configure all of the headers used for this the same, all those fans will do the same thing. (Fine detail: the speeds of the three 3-pin fans will match each other, but may be slightly different from the 4-pin fans. That does not matter.)
The ARGB lights in the front touchaqua fans all will do the same thing based on the mobo D_LED header signals. Control of those light displays will be done by the RGB Fusion 2.0 utility that comes with your mobo.