About to upgrade XP machine and wondering what would be the best way to
contol the various fans for optimum temperature, noise and running costs?

Proposed parts will be:-

Psu - Antec 650w Earthwatts
Mobo - Gigabyte GA EP45 DS3L
Cpu - Intel core 2 duo E8500
Cpu fan - Arctic Cooler Freezer 7 Pro
Case fans - Acoustifans - 1 x 92mm and 120mm in and 1 x 120mm out

Thanks. J
==========

John Brown wrote:
> About to upgrade XP machine and wondering what would be the best way to
> contol the various fans for optimum temperature, noise and running costs?
>
> Proposed parts will be:-
>
> Psu - Antec 650w Earthwatts
> Mobo - Gigabyte GA EP45 DS3L
> Cpu - Intel core 2 duo E8500
> Cpu fan - Arctic Cooler Freezer 7 Pro
> Case fans - Acoustifans - 1 x 92mm and 120mm in and 1 x 120mm out

I prefer the fans to operate at 100% speed.... smart fan control is just
.... well....


--
@~@ Might, Courage, Vision, SINCERITY.
/ v \ Simplicity is Beauty! May the Force and Farce be with you!
/( _ )\ (Xubuntu 8.04.1) Linux 2.6.26.8
^ ^ 17:57:01 up 4 days 4:04 2 users load average: 1.02 1.08 1.08
???! ???! ???! ???! ???! ???! ????? (CSSA):
http://www.swd.gov.hk/tc/index/site_...sub_addressesa

John Brown wrote:
> About to upgrade XP machine and wondering what would be the best way to
> contol the various fans for optimum temperature, noise and running costs?
>
> Proposed parts will be:-
>
> Psu - Antec 650w Earthwatts
> Mobo - Gigabyte GA EP45 DS3L
> Cpu - Intel core 2 duo E8500
> Cpu fan - Arctic Cooler Freezer 7 Pro
> Case fans - Acoustifans - 1 x 92mm and 120mm in and 1 x 120mm out
>
> Thanks. J
> ==========
>

The problem with answering this question, is there is no way to
guarantee a motherboard supports such a function. Certain aspects
of the manual hint at a function, but that is not a guarantee it
actually works. For someone who really really wants this function,
it means having to buy more devices after the initial build, to
make up for the deficiencies. (I.e. If the motherboard doesn't have
it, you could easily spend as much as you spent on the motherboard,
to fix it.)

I looked in the manual, and the SYS_FAN2 header is a four pin type.

http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Support/M...l&FileID=18741

GND +12V RPM PWM
X X X X

But in the BIOS, the option to enable speed control, only exists
for the CPU fan. (The CPU fan that comes with the processor,
typically has a four pin connector, so if you buy a retail
processor, there are good odds you'll have control of the
CPU fan speed. Not all aftermarket CPU cooler fans use a four
pin connector.)

There are two speed control methods for fans. The older method,
is to adjust the +12V voltage to the fan. That takes a MOSFET
near the fan header on the motherboard (and that is how I'd detect
the feature on a motherboard). MOSFETs cost money, so you're
unlikely to find that control method present on a new board.
Prebuilt computers, like something from HP, are more likely
to have MOSFETs on all headers.

The four pin header, adds the PWM or Pulse Width Modulation method.
That is a logic signal, running at 25KHz (so it won't be audible),
where the pulse width of the square wave sent from the motherboard
to the fan, specifies the desired speed. A MOSFET on the fan, implements
the speed control. Thus the price of the fan should be higher, while
the motherboard maker doesn't have to provide the MOSFET on their end.

These are examples of a couple PWM fans. They aren't that common.
And in the case of your motherboard, it doesn't look like the BIOS
would control the speed in any case. (Speedfan from almico.com might
work, but we don't even know if PWM is wired up on the motherboard.)

*******
This Rexflo is a four pin PWM fan. The CFM rating isn't overwhelming.
Rexus also makes a 120mm but Newegg doesn't sell it.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835705027

This 120mm one is 96CFM at full throttle and 37CFM at low setting.

http://www.rexususa.com/fans/21225-4.html

They want $20 for that 120mm one, here.

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/57...l?tl=g36c15s69

*******

You can implement manual fan speed control, either with a rheobus
box that fits in a 5 1/4" slot in your computer. Or you can buy a
handful of Zalman Fanmate II fan speed adjusters (I think they
handle up to a 12V @ 0.5A fan). But then the cooling is not
automated, and the fans don't speed up when the computer is hot.

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/10..._-_Silver.html

There were some automated controllers in the past, but I don't even
remember the product names. (The nice ones may have come from
Germany.)

I see one here for example, but you don't want to buy stuff
like this, without some reviews to read. Some of these have
had just dreadful implementations. There are very few "winning"
designs. I remember one, which was covered with pin headers
(for stuff to plug in), and there was no positive alignment
of connectors. One user managed to plug the connector into
the wrong spot and poof! magic smoke. As a consequence, don't
buy crap like this, unless you've got way more info than the
seller or manufacturer is willing to provide.

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/76...y_-_Black.html

So nothing in the above post, really meets your expectations.

Paul

"John Brown" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:gid2pf$u4$(E-Mail Removed)...
> About to upgrade XP machine and wondering what would be the best way to
> contol the various fans for optimum temperature, noise and running costs?
>
> Proposed parts will be:-
>
> Psu - Antec 650w Earthwatts
> Mobo - Gigabyte GA EP45 DS3L
> Cpu - Intel core 2 duo E8500
> Cpu fan - Arctic Cooler Freezer 7 Pro
> Case fans - Acoustifans - 1 x 92mm and 120mm in and 1 x 120mm out
>
> Thanks. J
> ==========
>
I have always liked Antec 3-speed fans rather than any MB controls. They are
quiet, dependable and adjustable for however much airflow is needed. I would
rather have control over them since I am the one who knows how much airflow
is needed and where.



Ed

"Paul" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:gid807$eqq$(E-Mail Removed)...
> John Brown wrote:
>> About to upgrade XP machine and wondering what would be the best way to
>> contol the various fans for optimum temperature, noise and running costs?
>>
>> Proposed parts will be:-
>>
>> Psu - Antec 650w Earthwatts
>> Mobo - Gigabyte GA EP45 DS3L
>> Cpu - Intel core 2 duo E8500
>> Cpu fan - Arctic Cooler Freezer 7 Pro
>> Case fans - Acoustifans - 1 x 92mm and 120mm in and 1 x 120mm out
>>
>> Thanks. J
>> ==========
>>
>
> The problem with answering this question, is there is no way to
> guarantee a motherboard supports such a function. Certain aspects
> of the manual hint at a function, but that is not a guarantee it
> actually works. For someone who really really wants this function,
> it means having to buy more devices after the initial build, to
> make up for the deficiencies. (I.e. If the motherboard doesn't have
> it, you could easily spend as much as you spent on the motherboard,
> to fix it.)
>
> I looked in the manual, and the SYS_FAN2 header is a four pin type.
>
> http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Support/M...l&FileID=18741
>
> GND +12V RPM PWM
> X X X X
>
> But in the BIOS, the option to enable speed control, only exists
> for the CPU fan. (The CPU fan that comes with the processor,
> typically has a four pin connector, so if you buy a retail
> processor, there are good odds you'll have control of the
> CPU fan speed. Not all aftermarket CPU cooler fans use a four
> pin connector.)
>
> There are two speed control methods for fans. The older method,
> is to adjust the +12V voltage to the fan. That takes a MOSFET
> near the fan header on the motherboard (and that is how I'd detect
> the feature on a motherboard). MOSFETs cost money, so you're
> unlikely to find that control method present on a new board.
> Prebuilt computers, like something from HP, are more likely
> to have MOSFETs on all headers.
>
> The four pin header, adds the PWM or Pulse Width Modulation method.
> That is a logic signal, running at 25KHz (so it won't be audible),
> where the pulse width of the square wave sent from the motherboard
> to the fan, specifies the desired speed. A MOSFET on the fan, implements
> the speed control. Thus the price of the fan should be higher, while
> the motherboard maker doesn't have to provide the MOSFET on their end.
>
> These are examples of a couple PWM fans. They aren't that common.
> And in the case of your motherboard, it doesn't look like the BIOS
> would control the speed in any case. (Speedfan from almico.com might
> work, but we don't even know if PWM is wired up on the motherboard.)
>
> *******
> This Rexflo is a four pin PWM fan. The CFM rating isn't overwhelming.
> Rexus also makes a 120mm but Newegg doesn't sell it.
>
> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835705027
>
> This 120mm one is 96CFM at full throttle and 37CFM at low setting.
>
> http://www.rexususa.com/fans/21225-4.html
>
> They want $20 for that 120mm one, here.
>
> http://www.frozencpu.com/products/57...l?tl=g36c15s69
>
> *******
>
> You can implement manual fan speed control, either with a rheobus
> box that fits in a 5 1/4" slot in your computer. Or you can buy a
> handful of Zalman Fanmate II fan speed adjusters (I think they
> handle up to a 12V @ 0.5A fan). But then the cooling is not
> automated, and the fans don't speed up when the computer is hot.
>
> http://www.frozencpu.com/products/10..._-_Silver.html
>
> There were some automated controllers in the past, but I don't even
> remember the product names. (The nice ones may have come from
> Germany.)
>
> I see one here for example, but you don't want to buy stuff
> like this, without some reviews to read. Some of these have
> had just dreadful implementations. There are very few "winning"
> designs. I remember one, which was covered with pin headers
> (for stuff to plug in), and there was no positive alignment
> of connectors. One user managed to plug the connector into
> the wrong spot and poof! magic smoke. As a consequence, don't
> buy crap like this, unless you've got way more info than the
> seller or manufacturer is willing to provide.
>
> http://www.frozencpu.com/products/76...y_-_Black.html
>
> So nothing in the above post, really meets your expectations.
>
> Paul
======
No, not really - but thought it wouldn't be simple...most useful info
anyway...TVM...J
====

"John Brown" wrote:
> About to upgrade XP machine and wondering what would be the best way to
> contol the various fans for optimum temperature, noise and running costs?

Wire the fan between 12 volts and 5 volts to run it at 7 volts, or use a
zener diode if you want a different voltage. This way you can control each
fan individually.

Jon

On Thu, 18 Dec 2008 08:48:43 -0000, John Brown wrote

> Proposed parts will be:-
> Mobo - Gigabyte GA EP45 DS3L

On Thu, 18 Dec 2008 05:17:41 -0500, Paul wrote

> (Speedfan from almico.com might work <snip>

Hmmm... The GA-EP45-DS3L is missing from the "GIGABYTE
motherboards that can change fan speeds" page
<http://www.almico.com/forummotherboards.php?man=264>. Maybe another
choice is in order if you want to use SpeedFan.

-- Benjamin Corentin

On Dec 18, 3:48 am, "John Brown" <ha...@gofast.co.uk> wrote:
> About to upgrade XP machine and wondering what would be the best way to
> contol the various fans for optimum temperature, noise and running costs?
>
> Proposed parts will be:-
>
> Psu - Antec 650w Earthwatts
> Mobo - Gigabyte GA EP45 DS3L
> Cpu - Intel core 2 duo E8500
> Cpu fan - Arctic Cooler Freezer 7 Pro
> Case fans - Acoustifans - 1 x 92mm and 120mm in and 1 x 120mm out
>

I've an Antec case with 2 - 120mm's in/out config. 120mm fans changed
my life, regarding case cooling. Running probably 5yrs. with same MB/
CPU, HDs, pretty much everything stock. Old enough to stitch the case
up in green leather. Noise - yep, slight whine to it all day and all
of the night. Fans are optimal @ stock ratings. No more, no less.
Any nicer and it would probably last another 5 years. Cost I think of
along leaving on a 40w light bulb in the bathroom. Only downside is
it's a filthy little bugger, Antec calls a Lanboy. Sucks up dust like
a vacuum cleaner.

In message <b8r2l.9092$(E-Mail Removed)> "Ed Medlin"
<(E-Mail Removed)> was claimed to have wrote:

>I have always liked Antec 3-speed fans rather than any MB controls. They are
>quiet, dependable and adjustable for however much airflow is needed. I would
>rather have control over them since I am the one who knows how much airflow
>is needed and where.

I don't know about you, but my motherboard has various thermal sensors,
and therefore my motherboard is far better equipped to know how much
airflow is needed and where then I might be.

"Benjamin Corentin" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> On Thu, 18 Dec 2008 08:48:43 -0000, John Brown wrote
>
>> Proposed parts will be:-
>> Mobo - Gigabyte GA EP45 DS3L
>
> On Thu, 18 Dec 2008 05:17:41 -0500, Paul wrote
>
>> (Speedfan from almico.com might work <snip>
>
> Hmmm... The GA-EP45-DS3L is missing from the "GIGABYTE
> motherboards that can change fan speeds" page
> <http://www.almico.com/forummotherboards.php?man=264>. Maybe another
> choice is in order if you want to use SpeedFan.
>
> -- Benjamin Corentin
===========
Excellent - TVM. J