HD6950 fan header change

[renq]

Hi!

I have a Club3D HD6950 (http://www.club-3d.com/index.php/products/reader.en/product/radeon-hd-6950.html) that has a dual-fan cooler instead of the reference one. Problem is- it's very loud in idle, although being at the minimum 24% PWM (or was it 20, don't remember). The temps seem to be quite low, however I'd like it to be quiet in idle. I thought of first trying to change the fans (since they're crap) instead of buying a completely new cooler instead. The "problem" is that the card has only a 3pin PWM connector (similar to PowerColor's PCS- http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Powercolor/HD_6950_PCS_Plus_Plus/images/front.jpg)
However, there seems to be a place for 4pin PWN fan header on the PCB and hence my question- can a 4pin pwm fan header be installed (soldered) on to the PCB and would it work?
BTW, the current 3pin solution doesn't enable to show fan rpm.

Pics of my card:

 

[robal]

Hi,

I think it will work.
Definitely GND, Voltage and PWM pins will work the same as in 3-pin connector.

To be sure that you'll get a full-featured (RPM) 4pin header, go to wizzard's HD6950 review (reference PCB) and compare fan controller.
If your card uses the same controller as reference card, I'm sure you'll get RPM reading from soldered slot.

BTW. Isn't it possible to mod BIOS with RBE so the fan control is done via voltage instead of PWM ? You'd be able to hit as low RPM as you want.


BTW... I've got no idea why non-reference designs are so moronic sometimes... I know. cost cutting... but come on... I've seen a Gigabyte HD4870 with stock controller, but 2-pin (!) fan header.... poor thing was always at 100%, humming like a small jet engine...

Cheers,

 

[_JP_]

Problem is- it's very loud in idle, although being at the minimum 24% PWM (or was it 20, don't remember). (...) The "problem" is that the card has only a 3pin PWM connector (similar to PowerColor's PCS- http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Powercolor/HD_6950_PCS_Plus_Plus/images/front.jpg)

That...really looks like a standard 3-pin fan connector to me, with no PWM. They even bothered to use the basic color scheme (yellow - RPM, black - GND, red - V+). You don't have to feel disappointed, though, non-reference cards usually don't have PWM controlled fans...that's what makes the cards slightly cheaper too.

However, there seems to be a place for 4pin PWN fan header on the PCB and hence my question- can a 4pin pwm fan header be installed (soldered) on to the PCB and would it work?
BTW, the current 3pin solution doesn't enable to show fan rpm.

Do this:

To be sure that you'll get a full-featured (RPM) 4pin header, go to wizzard's HD6950 review (reference PCB) and compare fan controller.
If your card uses the same controller as reference card, I'm sure you'll get RPM reading from soldered slot.

But my opinion would be that if they didn't soldered the 4-pin header, then the fan controller for PWN probably isn't on the card either. Other options would be trying to alter the fan profile, in RBE for example.

BTW... I've got no idea why non-reference designs are so moronic sometimes... I know. cost cutting... but come on... I've seen a Gigabyte HD4870 with stock controller, but 2-pin (!) fan header.... poor thing was always at 100%, humming like a small jet engine...Cheers,

2-pin fan headers don't make a bad solution. It depends heavily on how it is configured and used. My HD 5770 has a 2-pin connector and it regulates it's fan speed based on percentage (seen on catalyst, GPU-Z and AIDA64), managed by the card's BIOS I think, which translates into voltage levels. Since you only need a 2-pin fan header using this system, the car's cooling solution can be budget oriented to better fan design and heatsinks. I'm sure that if the fan fails there is a sensor on the 12v line of the fan to warn.

 

[Mussels]

why not just use an external fan controller/power source?

 

[_JP_]

That would be a good and easier solution.

 

[renq]

why not just use an external fan controller/power source?

Cuz I'm lazy

Anyway iirc there are mainly two sort of fan controllers- ones that have a turnknob and go to expansion slot bracket- that is BACK of the case- and other that go into drive bay(s)- 3,5" or 5,25". I wouldn't want any knobs on the front panel either and touchscreen ones are, erm, more expensive and usually not the best looking ones. For instance- control panels in my local computer mod e-shop: http://www.modikomp.ee/kontrollpaneelid/ (I know the prices there are a bit higher than in Europe but being a nichè shop has it (dis-)advanteges).

I'd like the card (or external controller) to be able to vary the speed of fans automagically. My previous card was Gigabyte GTX460 OC which was whisper-quiet in idle (although it was 40% and 1590 rpm), traded it in for the current card but didn't expect it to be so noisy in idle.

So, I'll first dismantle the cooler and check wheteher it has the required controller or not.

In the meantime, feel free to recommend 92mm (PWM??) fans

 

[_JP_]

Cuz I'm lazy

So you're lazy enough not to buy a simple fan controller and plug a fan to it and a temperature probe to the heat source, but not lazy to dismantle coolers, weld connectors and chips and change connectors on fans so that they work......Yeah...I'm lazy too...
BTW, those controllers are a bit expensive, I remember the EasyWatch costing 13€ here...doesn't sell anymore . I liked that little thing. You can get that one, works like a charm, you only have to setup the alarms.
Anyway, most (if not all) of the fan controllers without knobs can control fans automatically, especially the Aerocool ones. Mine does.

 

[renq]

I think I'm gonna go with changing the fans first, they are quite rubbish- spinning sound makes more noise than the air flowing...So...what are good 92mm fans? Scythe Kama flow?