Controlling PC Fan Speeds....

[Mark42]

Some PC fans have just red and black wires, and many have the red, black and yellow. The fans that connect directly to the main board always have the yellow wire.

If I want to manually control a fan speed using the yellow wire, how is it done? How/what does the yellow wire do to the 12v DC fan to vary its speed?

Thanks!

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Controlling PC Fan Speeds....

Mark,

If you have a board that is capable, this program may help, I have used it in the past to control one of my boards and fans that I had set up for video editing.

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

Here is a link to an article about controlling fans speeds as well:

http://www.a3webtech.com/index.php/pc-fan-speed-control-guide.html

 

[dolluper]

Re: Controlling PC Fan Speeds....

Speedfan program...free goggle speedfan

 

[jlinder]

Re: Controlling PC Fan Speeds....

Curious. Why?

 

[snake eater]

Re: Controlling PC Fan Speeds....

Speed fan is a good program. I know some fans came with a manual dial adjuster for the cpu which you could wire in if necessary.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Controlling PC Fan Speeds....

Curious. Why?

One of the biggest reasons is due to the noise that some fans make. I have actually had fan noise interfer with sound recordings I have done.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Controlling PC Fan Speeds....

Exactly. I want to run all the case fans the same speed as the CPU fan, but the MB connector can't handle the wattage draw. So I was wondering how the yellow wire comes into play. Now I find its just for RPM sending, So the MB can adjust speed accordingly.

So the next question is how to determine what the available load is on the PCU fan connector is. Would be great to adjust all fan speeds accordingly.

This is on my Windows Home Server machine, so most application program based products will/may not work properly.

BTW, I have successfully reduced power supply fan noise by replacing it will a quieter fan, and then after looking for less noise, connected it to 5V supply.




Thanks.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Controlling PC Fan Speeds....

You might contact one of your local server companies and tell them what your trying to do, I know most server companies run balanced cooling systems to maintain stability within their systems..., also beings your running a microsoft server, you might check on their developers website, I have found a lot of good information when I am looking to do something on those microsoft specific message forums..

 

[nikon]

Re: Controlling PC Fan Speeds....

Lots of options to control fan speed...

http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=11&name=Controller-Panels

some are manual with a potentiometer others are automatic with temp sensors you place inside the case, just depends on how much you want to spend.

But if you only have 1/2 fans then speedfan is the way to go.

 

[jlinder]

Re: Controlling PC Fan Speeds....

One of the biggest reasons is due to the noise that some fans make. I have actually had fan noise interfer with sound recordings I have done.

If the problem is noise not sure slowing down the fans is the best approach. Slowing down the fans raises the temperature.

Instead why not look at adding more fans but running them slower, or buying quieter fans?

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Controlling PC Fan Speeds....

If the problem is noise not sure slowing down the fans is the best approach. Slowing down the fans raises the temperature.

Instead why not look at adding more fans but running them slower, or buying quieter fans?

Noise is often associated with speed, and when working with high end computers, often times it is beneficial to balance the fans in the computer to provide equal power draw as well as equal air flow, you would be amazed, you can slow fans down and actually decrease temps in a computer case, many fans are rotating to fast to be beneficial to the air flow in a computer case.. Depends on the configuration of the case and the placement of the components on the board

 

[jlinder]

Re: Controlling PC Fan Speeds....

Agreed that balancing is helpful, but increasing the air flow area (number of fans) and decreasing the air speed is also a big factor. My experience is that it can be a bigger factor than balancing.

Another way to go is to build an enclosure to put the computer in that will baffle the sound. If Mark 42 is looking to really quiet the computer a wooden box to put the computer in with foam on the inside of the box to absorb the sound would solve the problem.
- The box would have to allow enough space for air flow
- The box would need to have fans itself to exhaust the air and let fresh air in.
- The air inlet and outlet should have at least 1 (preferred 2) 90 degree turns to absorb sound, and be lined with foam.

If a full box is too much think about a kind of room divider to put the computer behind. Not very big, maybe just twice the dimensions of the computer. Line it with sound absorbing foam. That might make a big difference.

I know this seems like more work but if you want to make the room quiet it is really the best way.

Or you could get a KVM extender and keep the computer in a different room from the Keyboard/monitor/mouse.

BTW - You mention doing recordings. Let me know if you are trying to soundproof the room. I might have some ideas for you.

 

[tschmidty]

Re: Controlling PC Fan Speeds....

There are fan controllers as stated above. You can't just wire the yellow in since it is a sensor as well as controller.

I keep my computer in a soundproofed closet. I don't have a problem with temps (although it does get warm in there). I run a vga extender cable and a usb extension to a powered hub on my desk and use a usb keyboard and mouse. I also use a usb dvd writer, so I only ever need to open the closet to turn the pc on. Whoila. Now I don't have to worry about buying controllers and quiet fans. Extension cables are cheap.