Fan Controller Question

[Doug86]

Right I want to buy a fan controller for my PC. The case is a Antec Sonata III with the stock fan. There is currently only 1 case fan which is the exhaust fan. This is plugged directly into the power supply and has a little switch to let me choose what speed it goes at.

If I were to buy a fan controller would I be able to plug it in in-line between the fan and PSU so I would be able to control the speed? or is that not possible? The power plug that the fan uses is a big 3 pin type which is different to the connection on my CPU fan which plugs into the mobo.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...n%20Controller

Would that work or do fan controllers only work with the basic 3 pin fans that you find on the CPU cooler for example?

[r4zb3rry]

The way most fan controllers work is by taking power from the PSU and then redistributing it thru several channels that can be adjusted on the front panel so, for your 1st question, yes this is possible.

Now most fan controllers will support the smaller 3pin fan header but, some also provide adapters to change the 3pin to a larger Molex connector ( I assume this the connector your fan has-see pic below)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi..._connector.jpg

You have the choice of buying the fan controller you linked to and buying a separate converter to go between the fan and the controller or getting a different fan controller with the required cables already contained in the box, or buying a different fan with a 3 pin header.

Does the fan controller have to be 3.5" or can you use a larger 5.25" variant?

R4z

[Doug86]

Firstly let me say what a good reply. Thanks given!

As far as sizes go I have free spaces in both the 3.5" and 5.3/4" bays. The case has a cover of the bays anyway so I wont see the controller during normal use but I want it to be pretty plain. If it were to have a card reader then that would be a bonus but I dont really want an extra 101 USB ports etc

[r4zb3rry]

In that case, just get whichever fan controller you like the look of and are happy paying the price for then, pop into Maplins and pick up a cable to convert your existing fan to 3pin.

I assume the fan Molex is Male so, you'll need a male 3pin that converts to Female 4 pin. Something like this

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...cable&doy=13m7

The only issue with using 4 pin is that you wont have the RPM function, however unless you buy a controller with an LCD screen then this is a moot point. The fan controller will still allow you to change the RPM of the fan thru the converter as it simply lowers the available power to the fan thereby adjusting the rate at which it will spin.

R4z

[Jamestuk]

If you had a spare fan header you could just cut the wires and swop them.