Case fan speed control: PS, sensor fans or Vantec controller?
My foray into power supply solutions for a MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum SLI has led me down many unexpected paths. In arriving at my final choice, a OCZ 520W 1 rail 33A w/-5 rail for Soundblaster on K8N, a side question arose on whether the lack of a case fan speed controller (not PS fan) on the OCZ power supply is a disadvantage. Antec for example promotes that it's PS controls the speed for up to 3 case fans.
Thread responses indicated it's best not to have the PS do that but go with a fan controller such as Vantec. However, this has now raised the following questions:
1. The Antec approach seems to be automatic....that is, sensors detected when to slow down or speed up the fans
2. The Vantec approach appears to be manual....you dial in the speed you want which suggests you're always fiddling with the controls depending on load
3. Some case fans come with sensors built in to control fan speed depending on temp
The net is, isn't the best solution one that automatically controls fan speed? Given that having the PS do that is not efficient, is the remaining alternative #3....buy a bunch of sensor based case fans.
I can't see the merits of the Vantec manual approach, so I may be missing something here
Regards, Ron
My foray into power supply solutions for a MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum SLI has led me down many unexpected paths. In arriving at my final choice, a OCZ 520W 1 rail 33A w/-5 rail for Soundblaster on K8N, a side question arose on whether the lack of a case fan speed controller (not PS fan) on the OCZ power supply is a disadvantage. Antec for example promotes that it's PS controls the speed for up to 3 case fans.
Thread responses indicated it's best not to have the PS do that but go with a fan controller such as Vantec. However, this has now raised the following questions:
1. The Antec approach seems to be automatic....that is, sensors detected when to slow down or speed up the fans
2. The Vantec approach appears to be manual....you dial in the speed you want which suggests you're always fiddling with the controls depending on load
3. Some case fans come with sensors built in to control fan speed depending on temp
The net is, isn't the best solution one that automatically controls fan speed? Given that having the PS do that is not efficient, is the remaining alternative #3....buy a bunch of sensor based case fans.
I can't see the merits of the Vantec manual approach, so I may be missing something here
Regards, Ron
You might be able reach the cables to ur SATA ports on the mobo if u found a way to fit this thing into a shuttle! lol
