CPU_OPT question

[sparkle]

Hi there,

New member here, so go easy on me.

I'm in the process of building a new computer. For CPU cooling I have the Corsair H100i and replaced the stock fans with a pair of Noctua NF-F12 fans. Typically they would be connected to the H100i's pump. However my motherboard, Gigabyte Z87X-D3H, has an additional fan header labelled CPU_OPT. After flicking through the motherboard user guide, it shows that using this header gives you access to a set of different profiles in the BIOS (one called "silent mode" which sounds perfect). It also would facilitate better cable management as it would be one less cable hanging from the pump.

So I guess my questions are...

1. Has anyone had experience of using the CPU_OPT header on Gigabyte boards?
2. Would the H100i freak out if I use CPU_OPT rather than the pump's built in controller?

 

[EddWills95]

I also have the h100i and don't even use the built in controller

From my experience corsair link is a bit of a pain. I first thought that setting up fan profiles would be a good idea but just didn't work out for me ;p

I use a molex connector to convert the fans to 5v to slow em down. if you've got good case cooling that should be fine, and quiet

You can also step it down to 7v but thats just one way of doing it.

I'm sure there are lots of other people who will give you other ideas

 

[Master&Puppet]

Yea I've used a h100i very recently. Tried corsair link and it was just a piece of junk frankly. I've hooked up the fans to the headers on the motherboard.

 

[sparkle]

Thanks for the replies. Negative review of the Corsair Link software seems to be a common theme for various reasons, so yeh avoiding using it would be one less headache for me.

OK thanks, I guess I'll give this CPU_OPT header a try.

 

[tinytomlogan]

I never use on board headers :/

 

[SavageCupcake]

get yourself a molex to 7v adapter and it'll be even tidier no fiddling around aswell.

 

[SparkleDJackson]

nice name. also phobya make a 6 fan power distributor pcb. its pretty handy

 

[kzinti1]

Swiftech has also just come out with a new PWM controlled 8-way fan splitter: http://www.swiftech.com/8-WayPWMsplitter.aspx
I have one but am still gathering parts for a new build and haven't had time to try it out on any of my other computers.
It's a really good looking piece of kit and quite interesting. Especially for just 10 bucks.

 

[sparkle]

Hi. Thanks for the interesting replies. So if I take the option of connecting the F12s directly to the supply I would need to ensure they are reasonably quiet. I notice that each F12 comes with a Low Noise Adapter so I suppose this would do the trick?

Then there's the matter of connecting the two fans to the power supply itself. Ideally I would prefer not to have to use Molex as everything else in the computer is using SATA. So the question is does a cable/adapter exist which would convert SATA to PWM?

Cheers.