Phantek PWM Hub Control

[Halo3Addict]

Hello!

I have a few questions about my 2nd PC build, and I guess PWM fans in general.

For my 2nd build, I decided to go with a Phanteks Enthoo Pro PH-ES614P. I was surprised to find when I opened the case, that there is a fan HUB included. According to the manual, for it to function correctly, it needs to be connected to the CPU_FAN header on my MB (Gigabyte GA-z170x-UD5 rev 1.0) and through a 12v molex from my PSU.

My questions: I believe this HUB only contains 3Pin headers, so where would my CPU Heatsink (Hyper 212 Evo) be connected to?

There is a CPU_OPT 4Pin header, that is labeled in my MB Manual as to be used for Water Coolers, and I'm not sure if it is a true PWM header.

I could connect the fan HUB to the CPU_OPT, but Enthoo manuals requires a 'true' PWM header to function correctly

I can't find any reference to whether or not is uses true PWM or a variable voltage.

MB Manual: http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=5480#manual
ENthoo Manual: http://www.phanteks.com/assets/manuals/Enthoo-Pro.pdf

Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

[jboydgolfer]

your CPU fan would connect to the CPU fan header on Your mobo, a Fan hub is for controlling Case fans, which are seperate from CPU

connecting the HUB to the CPU header Would work, but keep in mind that You would be regulating Your case fans speed, based on the Temp of one of the Hottest components of your PC.

 

[Halo3Addict]

your CPU fan would connect to the CPU fan header on Your mobo, a Fan hub is for controlling Case fans, which are seperate from CPU

connecting the HUB to the CPU header Would work, but keep in mind that You would be regulating Your case fans speed, based on the Temp of one of the Hottest components of your PC.

That's a good point that I had not thought of. DO you know if the CPU_OPT header uses the same temperature readings as the CPU_FAN header? And if the CPU_OPT uses a PWM signal. That I am not sure of.

 

[Grings]

That's a good point that I had not thought of. DO you know if the CPU_OPT header uses the same temperature readings as the CPU_FAN header? And if the CPU_OPT uses a PWM signal. That I am not sure of.

I'd certainly check it out, i know some gigabyte boards use dc control on some of the 4 pin sockets, pwm on others

Also while i am not 100% on this, i'm sure i read somewhere that the Phanteks PWM hub actually uses DC not PWM

Sorry im not sure on either, but i remember reading both when checking out controlling a pwm d5 water pump, as it connects to a molex for power and motherboard for pwm and rpm monitoring, so 'fake' pwm ports that use dc wont work. In the threads i was reading about doing so people couldnt get it to work by the phanteks hub, and i distinctly remember seeing a guy with a gigabyte board having to use a case fan 4pin, as the cpu ones were dc only.

 

[sneekypeet]

No reason why the CPU cooler fan can not be connected to the hub. Just saying, because it eliminates most of your concerns.

 

[Halo3Addict]

I'd certainly check it out, i know some gigabyte boards use dc control on some of the 4 pin sockets, pwm on others

Also while i am not 100% on this, i'm sure i read somewhere that the Phanteks PWM hub actually uses DC not PWM

Sorry im not sure on either, but i remember reading both when checking out controlling a pwm d5 water pump, as it connects to a molex for power and motherboard for pwm and rpm monitoring, so 'fake' pwm ports that use dc wont work. In the threads i was reading about doing so people couldnt get it to work by the phanteks hub, and i distinctly remember seeing a guy with a gigabyte board having to use a case fan 4pin, as the cpu ones were dc only.

I believe we may have been reading the same forum. It seemed there was a lot of debate regarding how people were connecting their hub.

As a side note: I thought all modern MB CPU_FAN headers were PWM, and not DC?

No reason why the CPU cooler fan can not be connected to the hub. Just saying, because it eliminates most of your concerns.

The problem is I think the hub has only 3 pin headers, except for one, which is supposed to be plugged into CPU_FAN. I would have to double check when I get home.

 

[sneekypeet]

Pins are irrelevant. The hub sends voltage based off what the CPU fan header sends to it.

 

[Halo3Addict]

Pins are irrelevant. The hub sends voltage based off what the CPU fan header sends to it.

That makes sense! Thank you for the clarification

I will update when I have time to test it. Any further insight is welcome.

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

I have the Primo case and have the fan hub connected to the CPU_OPT header keeping the AIO pump/block connected to the normal CPU header.

The nice thing about the Phanteks fan hub is that power comes from the psu. The only thing used from the CPU_OPT head is the PWM signal.

I have all my case fans(8) connected to the fan hub, but I also have my 4 radiator fans connected too. The setup really makes for a quiet case until I start gaming. This setup also keeps temps lower on average, I ran Seti@Home (BOINC) over a weekend without getting close to 55C.

I also use Speedfan to control the fan hub thru the CPU_OPT header.

 

[Halo3Addict]

Seems to be working just fine

Phanteks fan hub is plugged into my CPU_OPT header and reads the PWM signal just fine. Case fans are nearly silent even when stressing with Prime95/Cinebench/AIDA64

Just in case anyone else is looking for an answer to the same question.

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

more FYI, the speed changes can be set in the BIOS, idk about all BIOS but most should have at least High and Low settings, unless you use a 3rd party program, like SpeedFan or FanXpert or what ever you can find that works with your board.