I'd like to find something (or a set of somethings) that will allow me to control the speed of my various fans. My understanding is that there are the following options:

- use a PSU with "fan only" connectors to help control noise
- use a mobo like AOpen w/ SilentTek to help control noise
- use a Zalman FanMate

I do NOT want to have to build my own circuit, I don't have the tools or time or parts to do something like that. The FanMate worries me because of all the warnings.

Ideally I'm going to have a plethora of 80MM L1A's in my system -- I just ordered a box of 10 for $32 But I'd like them operating under 12V, temp controlled would be great.

It's just that there are so many options out there it gets kind of confusing.

You have many more options:
1) There is speedfan, which can control fan speeds on the 3 pin connectors of some motherboards (in real time, from software). It's very flexible, and I'm using it now...
http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php

2) Zalman makes a 4pin molex to 2x (5v 3pin) connectors and 2x (12v 3 pin ) connectors.
http://www.zalman.co.kr/english/product ... ector1.htm

3) Any baybus or rheobus, Vantec makes a really good one...

Just to name a few...

What's this with Zalman fanmate warnings?

Oh, temp-controlled=bad in most cases...you want precise control over the fan speed if you want your system to be quiet...