Opinions Required for Fan Controller Choice

L.A.Baggaley

L.A.Baggaley

New member
I'd like to find a new 5.25" fan controller that will:
  1. Independently control up to 7 fans
  2. Match the aesthetics of a Corsair Vengeance Series C70 chassis (gunmetal black)
Excluding the device itself, I'm looking for something similar to an NZXT Sentry 2.

Regards,

Luke.
 
Fan controllers can add noise to the fans. Most of them work by rapidly turning fans on and off, instead of reducing the voltage, and fans dont like this. The only ones I'm aware of that actually reduce the voltage are the Scythe ones, and the Lamptron ones - but only the knob versions, so nothing like the Sentry 2.

I'd recommend just setting the fans up correctly to begin with with voltage resistors, rather than taking the nooby option of a fan controller :)
 
My motherboard can only independently control up to 4 chassis fans, though.

As well as to control my chassis fans, I'm hoping to use a fan controller to subdue my noisy H100.
 
It's a nifty little device but surely you'd be in and out of your case every so often, switching between 5V and 12V operation?
 
If you're using the stock fans on the h100 that'll be why it's noisy. They're great for cooling but not so great on the ears.

I like fan controllers for the versatility.
 
No - thats not the idea...

You dont need to change the speeds of your fans. You set them up at 5, 7 or 12v to optimise a balance between cooling and noise.

I personally have every fan in my case running at 5v apart from the rear exhaust which runs at 7, and my rig is silent - and that's with 12 total fans running in it.

Most fan controllers only even go down to like 7v anyway, so you cant even get the fans that quiet
 
Search Google for 'H100 diode fix' and you'll understand what I mean.

The ability to independently control the voltage allowed for each chassis fan isn't disadvantageous if crucial components can be immediately exposed to more or less cooling, as and when needed.

NRG!, what fan controller do you use?

 
Last edited:
FYI I have been using the NZXT Sentry Mesh for about a month and love it. It only has 5 sliders but you could pair up fans. For example I am controlling the two noctua fans on my NH-D14 on one channel and 4 other case fans on the other channels. I have not seen or heard any negative effects from using the fan controller. I have also used fan speed reducers to minimize fan noise and have rewired fans to run at 5 or 7 volts. All are viable options. If you just want to set the fan profile to low noise and not bother with it any more I would suggest getting some fan speed reducers and not bother with the fans. If you want to have more control of you fans then get a fan controller.

The only experience I have with fan controllers is with the sentry mesh and the dial type fan controllers that take up a PCI slot on the back of the case. The 5.25 bay fan controller is a much better choice for controlling fans then the PCI slot fan controllers. I have heard great things about Lamptron controllers and they have some nice styles that will fit your theme. I think the sentry mesh or sentry mix will also fit your theme well.
 
I use the scythe kazemaster ace personally.

I had an nzxt sentry mesh before, but it was a load of rubbish. Made my spectre pros hum and tick
 
NRG! said:
I use the scythe kazemaster ace personally.

I had an nzxt sentry mesh before, but it was a load of rubbish. Made my spectre pros hum and tick
Click to expand...

Have not used the spectre pros yet. I have used noctua, enermax, cooler master, and the fractal design fans and have not had any problems. I have heard of people complaining of noise from some fans using this fan controller though. Maybe a defective fan controller or fan is the cause.
 
It was the fan controller causing it. Not sure whether it was faulty or the method of controlling the fan speed was to blame.

Oh wells I like my new one. Allows me to fully turn the fan off too which is a bonus.

I'm moving to an rvo2-e soon though so won't need it.
 
NRG! said:
It was the fan controller causing it. Not sure whether it was faulty or the method of controlling the fan speed was to blame.

Oh wells I like my new one. Allows me to fully turn the fan off too which is a bonus.

I'm moving to an rvo2-e soon though so won't need it.
Click to expand...

Being able to turn the fans off is a definite advantage. I will be looking for this when it is time to buy a new fan controller.

The rv02-e is a super case, One of my all time favorite cases. You will love it.
 
i use a scythe kaze fan controller and works just fine...
had it for a couple of years now... no problems at all!
 
The NZXT sentry mix would be a good one to go for, it only has six connectors but each channel has a max of 60W's. To put that in perspective if you rode the ragged edge of disaster you could run 20 bitfenix spectre pro off a single channel
 
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