Noise Control and PWM

[TNTTNT]

Hi,

I am trying to minimise noise at the moment, and am going to go through various steps. One is to get a fan controller to reduce rpm and noise.

I have just been on the phone to Gigabyte who say the mobo fan controller only supports pwm. I am surprised, because there is an option for voltage fan control in the bios.

If this is true, and it may be as my CPU cooler is running at 2000 rpm constantly, I might swap CPU cooler fan for a PWM version. I am surprised how few PWM 120mm fan there are. I did a search for the obvious first pass matches, so I am not saying there aren't others out there. The main ones which kept getting found were Artic Cooling, Nexus and Scythe. I think there was a few with less hits.

Has anyone mustered the will and the motivation to change their 3 pin cpu cooler to a pwm fan? I must say, taking the mobo out, removing the heatsink, cleaning the compound off, remounting and replacing is looking like a big chore at the moment.

 

[AUTOgod]

have you switched to the voltage setting and enabled any auto fan controls in the bios?

i cant see there being a voltage control option without it actually supporting voltage control.

i did the same with mine and had to change an additional setting to enable auto fan control.

 

[TNTTNT]

Yes, Smart Fan Control set to "enabled" and fan mode set to "Voltage".

The Gigabyte support was pretty clueless. I would struggle to contradict myself so many times in one dialogue.

 

[AUTOgod]

hmmmmm. what kind of fan do you have?

is there a noise problem? or is the temp high?

wondering why you want it to speed up/down at the mo.

 

[sneekypeet]

the Hyper 212 has only a 3 pin connection. I believe you are going to need a fan controller to accomplish lowering it. On my DFI I can still contol fan speeds on 3 pins with ITE software, but its mobo specific to DFI.

 

[TNTTNT]

Thanks Sneeky for giving the matter some thought. The manual says against the two bios options in question

CPU Smart FAN Control
Enables or disables the CPU fan speed control function. Enabled allows the CPU fan to run at
different speed according to the CPU temperature. You can adjust the fan speed with EasyTune
based on system requirements. If disabled, CPU fan runs at full speed. (Default: Enabled)


For the other option, voltages: -

CPU Smart FAN Mode
Specifies how to control CPU fan speed. This item is configurable only if CPU Smart FAN
Control is set to Enabled.
Auto Lets BIOS autodetect the type of CPU fan installed and sets the optimal CPU
fan control mode. (Default)
Voltage Sets Voltage mode for a 3-pin CPU fan.
PWM Sets PWM mode for a 4-pin CPU fan.
Note: The Voltage mode can be set for a 3-pin CPU fan or a 4-pin CPU fan. However, for a 4-pin
CPU fan that is not designed following Intel PWM fan specifications, selecting PWM mode may not
effectively reduce the fan speed.

The second extract seems to imply to me that a 3 pin cpu fan should work. It's wierd. Do you reckon the mobo is faulty?

 

[sneekypeet]

Voltage Sets Voltage mode for a 3-pin CPU fan

That bit could simply mean the fan gets a full 12V to the 3-pin, doesnt mean it can control it.

My DFI bios has a temp sensor that I can use to adjust only that it will run slow speed (like 7V) up to a certain temp. When that temp is hit I get full 12V to the pin header. This is found in my PC health, you may have a similar option in the GB bios.

 

[TNTTNT]

Voltage Sets Voltage mode for a 3-pin CPU fan

That bit could simply mean the fan gets a full 12V to the 3-pin, doesnt mean it can control it.

That's true, I never considered this option

My DFI bios has a temp sensor that I can use to adjust only that it will run slow speed (like 7V) up to a certain temp. When that temp is hit I get full 12V to the pin header. This is found in my PC health, you may have a similar option in the GB bios.

The gigabyte mobo came with easy tune 6 software. With this you can adjust the trigger temp to speed up the fan, and how quick it reaches 100%. From your first point, this could only apply to PWM. I have to admit, the way the manual is worded you would think variable voltage control, but after experiencing their tech support, nothing can be taken at face value

 

[TNTTNT]

Yeah, PWM works, but not voltage for fan control on GA-EX58-UD5.

I unplugged the 3pin fan and swapped with Intel stock cooler (4-pin PWM), which I rested on case. The rpm was 850 with smart fan on. With it off, it went to 2000 rpm.

I want the CPU fan controlled by mobo because it has the temp sensor built into the socket. I would guess this would be more accurate than a stick on sensor from a fan controller.

I am not looking forward to removing the heatsink (I have to, to uninstall fan). It didn't quite line up when I put it on, so not looking forward to taking off.

I was thinking of using an Artic Cooling 12 PWM fan. has anyone used one of these, or could recommend a better one for quiet noise and airflow. I have seen Scythe and Nexus. I think the Nexus has better airflow from memory.

 

[TNTTNT]

guys, what are the things to look for when choosing a CPU PWM fan. I know you can't believe manufacturer specs sometimes, but it is all I have to choose. The things I can think of are noise in db and airflow in CFM. Does it matter if one fan's max speed is 1200rpm, another 1500rpm and another 2000rpm.

The nexus spins faster than rivals with supposed bigger airflow. My gut says the Artic Cooling are good, but they have lower max cfm than nexus.

 

[TNTTNT]

I am in the process of attaching a new Nexus PWM fan to heatsink. Is it better to use those silicon rubbery stoppers that come with the Nexus, or plain old fashioned screws? I must admit, I am not sure if those rubber stopper work.

 

[lemonadesoda]

Just saw your thread.

1. Look on ebay for 120mm fans. I just bought some 1000RPM (nice and quiet) fans with 4pins.

2. Consider using your existing/new fan through a "resistor". You can get two kinds of resistor. Ones that drop the voltage (approx) from 12v to 9.5v, and others from 12v to 7v. In practice I find the voltage drop and the fan speed reduction is not as great. But using the 12-7v resistor is enough to take the whine off a fan. Google or ebay fan resistor.

3.Rubber is for mounting a fan through case holes... not attaching to a heatsink. Use screws.

 

[TNTTNT]

Hi Lemonadesoda, and thanks for the tips.

I used screws in the end, and didn't trust those rubber things on the case...so screws on case as well.

I ended up buying 3 Nexus Silent PWM fans. They spin up to 2000rpm, and supposed to shift some air on max. They are very quiet, but I think they are louder than the stock Coolermaster 2000rpm fan when spinning at maximum.

I bought a wire which uses the PWM control from 4 pin CPU fan socket to speed control CPU fan and 3 case fans. The 4 fans are driven of a molex on PSU. Now I can software control the CPU and 3 case fans with Gigabyte's Easytune 6. If I crank up the CPU, case fans and CPU fan will follow automatically.

I also tried a 3rd Asaka allinone2 to control the other 3 case fans. Just wired up and my 3rd Asaka allinone2 is BROKEN, like first 2. Two of the three temp sensor don't work. I may keep as I can use on manual and can't find a 5.25 card reader + multimedia panel which uses mobo headers. In UK most seem to use wires to back panel, especially the audio.

Can't believe the 3rd one is faulty. I can't wait for Zalman ZM-MFC3 to be released, although won't fill card reader/media panel hole......can't get over that Asaka heap of junk.