Software fan controller (CPU & Chassis fans)

[bullbearings]

I have two chassis fans. They are stock Corsair fans that come with the case (Corsair Brushless 140MM Fans), They spin at around 1000RPM idle and being cheap fans they are loud when spinning fast.

I would like to control their speed via software on my PC, although my case (Corsair 330R) has a physical fan controller I prefer not to do it manually but instead automatically.

My motherboard does have ASUS EUFI and I have tried to configure it using the Q-Fan control utility however it is confusing and most of the time it does not actually work for some reason, I have searched for reasons why it wont work but nothing seems to work so I am now looking for a program to control it.

I have already tried a few but they are confusing and mostly outdated and I was wondering anybody has a slightly more updated software that they think would work really well.


Through some research I find that it's my case fans that cause the most noise, shortly followed by my CPU cooler, GPU and my PSU which doesn't spin up unless completely necessary.

I don't mind if it's free or purchased, I'll have a look at any suggestions.

 

[Lutfij]

For the amount you'll spend on a software purchased fan controller you'd be best served with a physical fan controller that is more robust and intended for fans of high RPM's. Resistors are what help slow down your fan by absorbing most of the power and delivering a constant flow of lower voltage to your fans to cause them to undervolt and thus run at lower RPM's. Nevertheless, you can try and run your Q-Fan executable in compatibility mode:
Right click executable>Properties>Compatibility Tab>Windows 7/8 [from the drop down menu].

You must also bear in mind if the brushless stock fans are good undervolting fans since I learnt the hard way that the Scythe Jyuni 120mm fans are horrible via first hand experience as information on them is scarce.

Could you also pass on your full systems specs? Perhaps we can work out what is confusing and maybe make improvements that isn't worth much at all...? 😉

 

[bullbearings]

Yeah sure, these are my specs -

CPU - Intel Core i7 4790K @ 4.4Ghz
CPU Cooler (Aftermarket) - Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo
GPU - Gigabyte G1 Gaming GTX 970 (standard clock)
PSU - Corsair RM650X
2 Random HDD's
H97M-E Motherboard
2 Corsair Brushless fans (1 exhaust one intake)
Case - Corsair 330R

 

[bullbearings]

Also I'd prefer not to have a physical fan controller.

I do have a physical fan controller built into my case although it's not exactly ideal as it has three fan modes - light, medium and max, I'd rather have software control the RPM's based off my PC's temperature.

 

[huvik]

have you tried this?

http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php

 

[Lutfij]

I suggested a physical fan controller since there is agreater degree of control from a cheap/bundled fan controller that has merely 3 settings. Proper fan controllers like one From Lamptron i.e FC 5 V2 allows you to control the rpm by the turn of a dial but it's up to you 😉

You're also welcome though I'm not sure if my post was worth the solution award...did you click on it by accident?

* That motherboard doesn't have a great degree of fan controlling capability IMO not as good as the higher end Asus Z series boards do. You could also pick up a 10USD fan splitter by Swiftech or the likes and have all your fans ramp down off just one header.

 

[bullbearings]

I might change my fans, seeing as they're pretty loud to be honest. Their spinning at like 700 - 1000 RPM idle.

I don't know what to get, I think PWM fans have greater control something like the Corsair SP120 PWM or something. I'll have to do some more research into that.

And yes I did press it by accident but oh well.

 

[Lutfij]

Accident rectified 😉

Corsair's fans are cheap to be honest but they tend to be the shortest stick of the bunch. What do you intend to use them with? (custom)Watercooling or just case cooling?

 

[huvik]

I have the Noctua NF F12 and they are really quite.

 

[bullbearings]

Accident rectified 😉

Corsair's fans are cheap to be honest but they tend to be the shortest stick of the bunch. What do you intend to use them with? (custom)Watercooling or just case cooling?

Just case cooling, I'm also not really looking for expensive case fans and Corsair fans are only £17.00 for two.

Currently I'm looking at some really cheap options -

http://www.amazon.co.uk/ARCTIC-F12-PWM-Rev-2-Controlled/dp/B00H3T1KBE/ref=pd_sim_147_2?ie=UTF8&dpID=413hATG8J5L&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=1CYET99GCFGNH5Z186XD

http://www.amazon.co.uk/ARCTIC-F12-PWM-PST-Controlled/dp/B002QVLBM2/ref=pd_sim_147_9?ie=UTF8&dpID=51vPoNNyyPL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=1CYET99GCFGNH5Z186XD

Mainly Arctic branded which I've purchased a aftermarket CPU cooler off them before and It was really good quality so I don't see why these fans wont be. The price of them does kind of make me suspect something but the reviews suggest otherwise.


My more expensive option would be Corsair SP120 PWM Fans or just Quiet Edition fans if they're quiet enough. As huvik has also suggested Noctua fans aren't a bad choice either despite I did buy a noctua fan previously and it decided to die on me.

 

[bullbearings]

I have the Noctua NF F12 and they are really quite.

The F12 looks good to me I think I will consider it, I think it's one of the cheaper PWM fans.

 

[Lutfij]

I don't think you can beat either of them. All the other case fans I'll suggest will be double that price per fan...

 

[bullbearings]

I don't think you can beat either of them. All the other case fans I'll suggest will be double that price per fan...

I'm open to suggestions and I can consider fans that are like £40, I'd just really need to fork the money together.

To be honest though, I don't think I will go overly expensive here because I'm mainly looking for quietness if anything. PWM fans probably offer that more than DC fans because of their lower RPM's. I know that the front fan which is an intake is probably vital to my graphics card and my CPU cooler however the exhaust fan is less useful.

I used to have four fans on my old case, it sounded like a helicopter when trying to play Arma.

 

[Lutfij]

Ah that changes the menu altogether. There are
Noctua's NF or Industrial series
Swiftech's Helix's
Noiseblockers E-loop or Multiframe's
Bitfenix's Spectre
EK's Vardar

and all of them come in PWM. Fans with high static pressure are designed with smaller spacing's between blades. High CFM(case airflow) fans are designed with wider spaced fan blades. Higher RPM will obviously mean more noise but the E-loop's are excellent fans that double up as case and radiator/cooling fans.

 

[bullbearings]

Looking at the Noctua NF - A15 and it seems good 140mm good size but the design of the fan looks strange I don't think it would fit into a regular fan slot would it? Like one that is designed for more... box fan styles?

 

[Lutfij]

Regular is a subjective word in this realm of new chassis's. Oh wait your chassis is a 330R... though they wont fit if placed side by side along the 150mm length wise. Are you hunting for 140mm fans in particular?

 

[bullbearings]

Regular is a subjective word in this realm of new chassis's. Oh wait your chassis is a 330R... though they wont fit if placed side by side along the 150mm length wise. Are you hunting for 140mm fans in particular?

Yes mainly 140mm although I wouldn't mind 120mm fans.

 

[bullbearings]

For anybody who might be reading this and wondering where I went in the end, I saw this thread -

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-2257386/silent-pwm-fans-case-expensive.html?xtor=EREC-8889

In the end I went with Noctua NF-F12 fans.

 

[Havenost]

I know this thread is dead, but just for the sake of anyone who finds this thread through a google search like I did. Consider buying Asus mobos next time you build a computer if you want to be able to control your fans without any extra 3rd party software or extra hardware. Asus Mobos come with their Asus AI Suite mobo controller software that allows you to set your fan speeds inside it, and other overclocking adjustments within the OS rather than having to go into the BIOS. They also have auto fan curve, and auto overclocking features.