How does speed control work on Antec case fans?

[Doc]

I just got a couple of Antec Tricool fans. One is a 120mm with a 3-speed
switch, the other is an 80mm with no speed switch. Unfortunately, the
packaging contains no documentation. Anyone familiar with these?

Both of these have a lead for sensor pins on the mobo.

My mobo only has 1 such set of pins marked "case fan" that I've found, so I
currently have the 120mm fan connected to it. What's not clear to me is how
the speed switch and control socket interact. Does the 3-speed switch
override the mobo speed control or will the fan speed change within a range
at any of the speed settings?

What's the difference between how the the 80mm fan (no speed switch) will
behave depending on whether it's connected or unconnected to the sensor pins
on the mobo?

Thanks

 

[johns]

I never hook them to the mobo. Reason is sometimes
fan alarms in the BIOS are set to rpms, and your speed
control will hit that lower limit. What I do is use an
external speed control ( get them at local game pc
shop ), and control the speed down until I can't hear
the fan .. or at least very quiet, and then I watch the
video card and cpu temps. If they are OK under stress,
then I assume the speed is fine, and let it go. I'm running
my cpu fan at 600 rpm like that, and I have no heat
problems doing it. I think my video card fan is around
1400 rpm, and it idles at 33 degrees, and maxes at
48 in games. Case fan is about 2400 rpm. Psupply
fan is also about 2400 rpm ... very quiet.

johns

 

[visions of effty]

I never hook them to the mobo. Reason is sometimes
fan alarms in the BIOS are set to rpms, and your speed
control will hit that lower limit. What I do is use an
external speed control ( get them at local game pc
shop ), and control the speed down until I can't hear
the fan .. or at least very quiet, and then I watch the
video card and cpu temps. If they are OK under stress,
then I assume the speed is fine, and let it go. I'm running
my cpu fan at 600 rpm like that, and I have no heat
problems doing it. I think my video card fan is around
1400 rpm, and it idles at 33 degrees, and maxes at
48 in games. Case fan is about 2400 rpm. Psupply
fan is also about 2400 rpm ... very quiet.

johns

Do you have a recommendation for a fan controller?

http://www.xpcgear.com/ledcontroller.html

Do any of these stand out to you, for instance?

I intend to use one on my next build, but it's an area where it's hard to
find hardware reviews. It seems to be the way to go to get the fans to a
sweet spot where you minimize noise, but maximize cooling.

~e.

 

[Phisherman]

I just got a couple of Antec Tricool fans. One is a 120mm with a 3-speed
switch, the other is an 80mm with no speed switch. Unfortunately, the
packaging contains no documentation. Anyone familiar with these?

Both of these have a lead for sensor pins on the mobo.

My mobo only has 1 such set of pins marked "case fan" that I've found, so I
currently have the 120mm fan connected to it. What's not clear to me is how
the speed switch and control socket interact. Does the 3-speed switch
override the mobo speed control or will the fan speed change within a range
at any of the speed settings?

What's the difference between how the the 80mm fan (no speed switch) will
behave depending on whether it's connected or unconnected to the sensor pins
on the mobo?

Thanks

If the fan has a switch on it, then that will control its maximum
speed. My 120mm fan is set to "high" and I let the power supply
control its speed (my power supply has special fan power cords.) If
this switch is set to "low" then that will limit the speed (and noise)
of the fan. Look at your MoBo manual to find out about the speed
sensors. You may have CMOS settings to set/enable them.

 

[johns]

Zalman Fanmate 2 is fine. I have 2 of them in
my system .. 1 on cpu .. 1 on video card. I did
hook the one for the cpu to the mobo fan
connect, and it worked because the BIOS was
geared to go nuts based on temp .. not rpm.
I did read that note that came with them warning
about the rpm alarm. Zalman is good stuff.

johns

 

[cannonfodder]

I just got a couple of Antec Tricool fans. One is a 120mm with a 3-speed
switch, the other is an 80mm with no speed switch. Unfortunately, the
packaging contains no documentation. Anyone familiar with these?

Both of these have a lead for sensor pins on the mobo.

My mobo only has 1 such set of pins marked "case fan" that I've found, so I
currently have the 120mm fan connected to it. What's not clear to me is how
the speed switch and control socket interact. Does the 3-speed switch
override the mobo speed control or will the fan speed change within a range
at any of the speed settings?

What's the difference between how the the 80mm fan (no speed switch) will
behave depending on whether it's connected or unconnected to the sensor pins
on the mobo?

Thanks

Antec recommends that if use the motherboard to control the 120mm fan
then it should be left on the fastest setting. The low setting reduces
the voltage and if the motherboard reduces this further then your fan is
in danger of stopping altogether.

I leave mine on the lowest setting plugged into a molex. Works a treat
and cannot hear it running.
Use the motherboard to control the speed of your 80mm fan.