Hello All, I've recently assembled my latest computer and am not totally satisfied with my new CPU cooler/fan. Included in the box is a manually adjusted fan speed controller. I do not think a manual fan control is a good idea for a CPU cooler so I'd like to convert the fan from a 3 pin to a 4 pin connector. Can anybody help me understand how I can do this with the cooler as shown below? Thanks, Phil Zerotherm NV120
You've gotta change the fan completely. The fourth pin is for PWM, which needs circuitry on the fan. If you don't want to swap the fan, take a look at SpeedFan. It has the ability to change fan speeds automatically according to temperatures. However, not all motherboards support fan speed changing so you just gotta hope your mobo supports.
what's your motherboard? my Abit iP35 Pro have excellent fan controller in the BIOS, so no need for third party programs.
alot of motherboards have a setting for this in the bios even. usually it's named like "cool 'n quiet" or "silent coolness" (yes, ive actually seen the latter haha).
My motherboard is a P5Q Deluxe with Q-Fan Control. The connector on the board is a 4 pin connector that will accept a 3 pin as well. With Q-Fan enabled, the fan rpm never changes despite the chip running at 26'C. I'm thinking it needs a 4-pin connection to work properly. Any thoughts? Phil
Should work fine with either providing you've plugged the fan into the right header. What RPM is it running at at 26°C?
Ehm, try to update your bios, it's an issue asus has had multiple times now. some motherboards would not utilize q-fan without a PWM fan, or if you didnt set a temperature.
The fan is connected to the correct header. The fan always runs at full rpm, (2800). What temperature is normal for a CPU? What is the upper limit? Thanks, Phil
@CanadaPhil: If you decide to try the PWM fan route, I can recommend the 120mm Scythe Kama, currently running at 270RPM on my sink.
Under 60C is good. If you haven't OC'd you might be able to keep it under 50C for a quad or 40C for a dual, still silent.
