CPU Cooler won't automatically adjust Fan Speeds

[KvngSteven]

Hello,

I have a CNPS4X Zalman RGB CPU Cooler and the speed of the fan does not change it stays at the same speed and won't go any lower or higher.

It is plugged in to a 4 PIN PWM Fan Header on my motherboard, I also tried using a 4 Pin PWM Fan Hub and it still won't change.

The only way to change the speed is to go into the BIOS but there are only 3 options, Enhanced, Auto and Full. Enhanced doesn't do anything it just keeps the fan at low speeds and doesn't increase the speed, Auto just keeps the fan at medium speeds and doesn't increase the speed or lower. Full Keeps the fan at max speed as it should.

I want to know if there is a way to make my CPU Cooler Fan Speed to change automatically according to the temperature of the CPU like it is supposed to be instead of running it at a certain speed.

 

[claes]

Hi! Please fill out your system specs so we know what you’re dealing with.

Sounds like your BIOS works so you might want to try software like speedfan or fan.control. Can’t help you much more without system specs though — most modern bios allow for fan curves but maybe you’re dealing with a low-end or older board. Specs would also allow us to know how your fan hub works.

We’d also need to know what your CPU temps are during these tests. Maybe it doesn’t change because the temps are within the bios temperature hysteresis? Need more info to know.

 

[KvngSteven]

Specs:
CPU - Intel Core i5-8500
RAM - 16GB RAM DDR4
GPU - RX 580 8GB
Storage - 1TB NVME SSD
Motherboard - Fujitsu D3602 Q370

Fan Hub: https://a.co/d/6E9agts

Temps go over 90c while playing CPU Intensive games and then it starts thermal throttling.

 

[claes]

Oof. I can’t find a manual for that motherboard but, given its origin, I assume it’s pretty limited in configuration options. The fan controller you’re using is also dependent on the motherboard’s configuration options. Based on the product guide I’d assume it supports PWM, but even that’s questionable with aftermarket parts like your Zalman cooler.

Given that, I’d try software control. Fancontrol is probably a better option than speedfan given the motherboard, but both are worth trying.

GitHub - Rem0o/FanControl.Releases: This is the release repository for Fan Control, a highly customizable fan controlling software for Windows.

This is the release repository for Fan Control, a highly customizable fan controlling software for Windows. - Rem0o/FanControl.Releases

github.com

SpeedFan - Access temperature sensor in your computer

 

[KvngSteven]

Oof. I can’t find a manual for that motherboard but, given its origin, I assume it’s pretty limited in configuration options. The fan controller you’re using is also dependent on the motherboard’s configuration options.

Given that, I’d try software control. Fancontrol is probably a better option than speedfan given the motherboard, but both are worth trying.

GitHub - Rem0o/FanControl.Releases: This is the release repository for Fan Control, a highly customizable fan controlling software for Windows.

This is the release repository for Fan Control, a highly customizable fan controlling software for Windows. - Rem0o/FanControl.Releases

github.com

SpeedFan - Access temperature sensor in your computer

Alright I will try that tomorrow morning

Thank you for your help

 

[eidairaman1]

Make sure fan is plugged into the cpu header

 

[Lovec1990]

Make sure fan is plugged into the cpu header

If im not mistaken PC wont even start if CPU_FAN or/and Pump header is/are empty.

 

[Mussels]

Looking into the cooler, it's something of a budget model
Two direct heatpipes is bad for some modern CPU designs, and definitely not great for high wattage chips at all

i5 8400 should be fine on it, but if the CPU is running hot (I didnt see temps listed) it may be running at 100% due to that, not your settings
The fan that it ships with, is a 4 pin PWM fan that will work off a 4 pin PWM or 3 pin voltage signal


This is a PWM fan hub - it will ONLY work with a PWM signal in, and only send a PWM signal out - 3 pin fans will NOT change speed
It only repeats an existing signal and does not raise or lower fan speeds in any way

Your motherboards model name is "D3602"
which has a manual here

The fan headers are labelled as PSU, CPU, Aux, and "fan 2" twice (perhaps they share the same BIOS controlled setting, for both headers)

This chart indicates that PSU, CPU and System fan are controllable, while fan3 and fan4 are not controllable (both called "Aux2") - this motherboard seemingly has no fan4



Basically, your motherboard was set up to control a small, high RPM fan so it's running at a slower speed - that's all it is.

Is the CPU overheating at these lower speeds?

If im not mistaken PC wont even start if CPU_FAN or/and Pump header is/are empty.

Most will boot and give a fan RPM error, you can go into the BIOS and "ignore" that RPM sensor to prevent that

Temps go over 90c while playing CPU Intensive games and then it starts thermal throttling.

That implies the cooler is not installed correctly, or the thermal paste isn't applied correctly
Feel free to post some clear pictures so we can look at things as you work on it - it's a low performing small cooler, but an i5 8400 should be fine with it

Under certain loads this CPU can almost use 120W of power, but under gaming loads should be a lot lower - especially on an OEM board, which are known for enforcing power limits more strictly

 

[claes]

Think you are overthinking or making a lot of assumptions my friend. I would not call that a motherboard manual and, afacit, it shipped without a cpu fan, based on images here: https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/stupid-fujitsu-12v-only-psu-16pin-connector.236795/

The fan headers are labelled as PSU, CPU, Aux, and "fan 2" twice (perhaps they share the same BIOS controlled setting, for both headers)
View attachment 281002

View attachment 281003
This chart indicates that PSU, CPU and System fan are controllable, while fan3 and fan4 are not controllable (both called "Aux2") - this motherboard seemingly has no fan4

Basically, your motherboard was set up to control a small, high RPM fan so it's running at a slower speed - that's all it is.
…

Most will boot and give a fan RPM error, you can go into the BIOS and "ignore" that RPM sensor to prevent that

We don’t actually know, we’d need a manual that explains bios options, and whether or not there was ever a cpu fan to begin with.

That implies the cooler is not installed correctly, or the thermal paste isn't applied correctly

Or, like often the case, it’s a low-end office PC with a poorly designed chassis, a single intake fan, no exhaust, and perhaps even a passively cooled CPU. No need to blame the OP.

Feel free to post some clear pictures so we can look at things as you work on it - it's a low performing small cooler, but an i5 8400 should be fine with it

Facts, that’d be helpful

 

[Vya Domus]

Is the fan header you have it plugged in also labeled as "WP" ? If that's the case some boards wont allow you to change the speed.

 

[KvngSteven]

Make sure fan is plugged into the cpu header

Yes it is plugged into the cpu header

Looking into the cooler, it's something of a budget model
Two direct heatpipes is bad for some modern CPU designs, and definitely not great for high wattage chips at all

View attachment 281000

i5 8400 should be fine on it, but if the CPU is running hot (I didnt see temps listed) it may be running at 100% due to that, not your settings
The fan that it ships with, is a 4 pin PWM fan that will work off a 4 pin PWM or 3 pin voltage signal


This is a PWM fan hub - it will ONLY work with a PWM signal in, and only send a PWM signal out - 3 pin fans will NOT change speed
It only repeats an existing signal and does not raise or lower fan speeds in any way
View attachment 281001


Your motherboards model name is "D3602"
which has a manual here

The fan headers are labelled as PSU, CPU, Aux, and "fan 2" twice (perhaps they share the same BIOS controlled setting, for both headers)
View attachment 281002

View attachment 281003
This chart indicates that PSU, CPU and System fan are controllable, while fan3 and fan4 are not controllable (both called "Aux2") - this motherboard seemingly has no fan4



Basically, your motherboard was set up to control a small, high RPM fan so it's running at a slower speed - that's all it is.

Is the CPU overheating at these lower speeds?





Most will boot and give a fan RPM error, you can go into the BIOS and "ignore" that RPM sensor to prevent that


That implies the cooler is not installed correctly, or the thermal paste isn't applied correctly
Feel free to post some clear pictures so we can look at things as you work on it - it's a low performing small cooler, but an i5 8400 should be fine with it

Under certain loads this CPU can almost use 120W of power, but under gaming loads should be a lot lower - especially on an OEM board, which are known for enforcing power limits more strictly
View attachment 281005View attachment 281006

The cooler was installed correctly, I even installed it twice and used Artic MX-4 Thermal Paste

Think you are overthinking or making a lot of assumptions my friend. I would not call that a motherboard manual and, afacit, it shipped without a cpu fan, based on images here: https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/stupid-fujitsu-12v-only-psu-16pin-connector.236795/

We don’t actually know, we’d need a manual that explains bios options, and whether or not there was ever a cpu fan to begin with.


Or, like often the case, it’s a low-end office PC with a poorly designed chassis, a single intake fan, no exhaust, and perhaps even a passively cooled CPU. No need to blame the OP.

Facts, that’d be helpful

It has 1 intake fan and 1 exhaust fan (2 if you count the PSU exhaust Fan)

Is the fan header you have it plugged in also labeled as "WP" ? If that's the case some boards wont allow you to change the speed.

It is plugged into CPU_Fan. I had a Cooler Master before this and it didn't have these issues

 

[Mussels]

The cooler was installed correctly

Then clearly everything is performing fine and problem free, yes?

Except it isn't, so you need to provide images so we can help you