External fan controller that adjusts fans based on temps?

Control: management of fans, temp/rpm monitoring via soft/hardware

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NetTechie
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External fan controller that adjusts fans based on temps?

Post by NetTechie » Tue Jan 14, 2014 9:59 pm

Is there such? Something that would throttle down the fans when the temps were low, and up them automatically when the temps began to rise? Like the motherboard controls, except an external device?

Abula
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Re: External fan controller that adjusts fans based on temps

Post by Abula » Tue Jan 14, 2014 10:42 pm

There are some elementary stuff, not recommended for what you are planning, but in case you are interested, Coolerguys Thermal Fan Controller (Rev. 4)

NetTechie
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Re: External fan controller that adjusts fans based on temps

Post by NetTechie » Tue Jan 14, 2014 11:07 pm

Looks like it has one turn on and turn off temp, around 30c.

quest_for_silence
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Re: External fan controller that adjusts fans based on temps

Post by quest_for_silence » Wed Jan 15, 2014 2:15 am

Abula wrote:There are some elementary stuff, not recommended for what you are planning, but in case you are interested, Coolerguys Thermal Fan Controller (Rev. 4)

Uh? Why do you think that hammer...ed box will work?

quest_for_silence
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Re: External fan controller that adjusts fans based on temps

Post by quest_for_silence » Wed Jan 15, 2014 2:16 am

NetTechie wrote:Looks like it has one turn on and turn off temp, around 30c.


You do need some external probes to measure temps the way you like, do you know that?

NetTechie
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Re: External fan controller that adjusts fans based on temps

Post by NetTechie » Wed Jan 15, 2014 3:13 am

quest_for_silence wrote:
NetTechie wrote:Looks like it has one turn on and turn off temp, around 30c.


You do need some external probes to measure temps the way you like, do you know that?
I wish they had something that worked on software, and could read the motherboard CPU temp, and adjust the fans based on it, as an external device from the motherboard.

quest_for_silence
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Re: External fan controller that adjusts fans based on temps

Post by quest_for_silence » Wed Jan 15, 2014 4:23 am

NetTechie wrote:
quest_for_silence wrote:
NetTechie wrote:Looks like it has one turn on and turn off temp, around 30c.


You do need some external probes to measure temps the way you like, do you know that?
I wish they had something that worked on software, and could read the motherboard CPU temp, and adjust the fans based on it, as an external device from the motherboard.

So I guess you have to look at devices aimed at water-cooling setups, such as the old mCubed T-balancer.

Shobai
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Re: External fan controller that adjusts fans based on temps

Post by Shobai » Wed Jan 15, 2014 1:39 pm

Not sure if you're up to doing some soldering, but I'm intrigued by this one:

Intelligent 12V Fan Controller
Silicon Chip wrote:The High Points

• Control up to eight computer fans based on the measured temperature

• Windows software for configuration and display of temperatures and fan speeds

• Stand alone (does not need the Windows software or computer to run)

• Monitor up to four temperature points

• Works with most fans (2, 3 and 4 wire)

• Audible alarm on fan or sensor failure

cmthomson
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Re: External fan controller that adjusts fans based on temps

Post by cmthomson » Wed Jan 15, 2014 2:20 pm

Not sure if they are still available, but Noise Magic NMT-2 and NMT-3 do what you describe.

Not exactly external; they mount on a corner of the fan and vary voltage based on the temperature of the air flowing by. Electrically they sit inline between the fan and the motherboard. Since they vary the analog voltage, they can be used with either 3-pin or 4-pin fans.

lodestar
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Re: External fan controller that adjusts fans based on temps

Post by lodestar » Wed Jan 15, 2014 3:41 pm

cmthomson wrote:Not sure if they are still available, but Noise Magic NMT-2 and NMT-3 do what you describe.
Yes still available, from for example FrozenCPU who have both the NMT-2 and NMT-3 in stock.

NetTechie
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Re: External fan controller that adjusts fans based on temps

Post by NetTechie » Wed Jan 15, 2014 4:07 pm

What I'd really like is if it monitored the motherboard's temp sensors, and used that data to adjust the fans. I don't know if I would know how to mount a temp sensor on a cpu. I guess you could stick it to the side of the heatsink.

quest_for_silence
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Re: External fan controller that adjusts fans based on temps

Post by quest_for_silence » Wed Jan 15, 2014 10:57 pm

NetTechie wrote:What I'd really like is if it monitored the motherboard's temp sensors, and used that data to adjust the fans.


Have you looked for the T-Balancer (or a similar controller)?

NetTechie wrote:I don't know if I would know how to mount a temp sensor on a cpu. I guess you could stick it to the side of the heatsink.


It's usually sort of a flat wire placed between the heatspreader and the heatsink (yes, where the thermal paste goes).

Vicotnik
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Re: External fan controller that adjusts fans based on temps

Post by Vicotnik » Thu Jan 16, 2014 1:59 am

NetTechie wrote:What I'd really like is if it monitored the motherboard's temp sensors, and used that data to adjust the fans. I don't know if I would know how to mount a temp sensor on a cpu. I guess you could stick it to the side of the heatsink.
I think you would be better off with a motherboard with good fan control. Many boards have that today, which is why you seldom see stuff like advanced discreet fan controllers like the T-balancer these days. Same with external temp sensors (they don't go between the heatsink and CPU btw, many people destroyed their non-IHS-protected cores that way).

quest_for_silence
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Re: External fan controller that adjusts fans based on temps

Post by quest_for_silence » Thu Jan 16, 2014 3:12 am

Vicotnik wrote:external temp sensors (they don't go between the heatsink and CPU btw, many people destroyed their non-IHS-protected cores that way).


Maybe: however, that is what I did for years with my P-III class CPU, without any catastrophic issue; so, unless you place it on the core area, and providing the thermistor is really thin, I still think there would be no real problems, even with modern, IHS equipped CPUs (just try, a brief and careful test won't fry anything).

Vicotnik
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Re: External fan controller that adjusts fans based on temps

Post by Vicotnik » Thu Jan 16, 2014 6:47 am

Mainly an issue with the AMD chips. Higher pressure specified for socket A compared to socket 370. Still, for optimal heat transfer we don't even want a hair between the heatsink and the core. Ah, the memories..
Do you hear that NetTechie? Ancient tech from long, long ago. Do not delve deeper into the ancient arts of advanced fan control of yesteryear. Nor into the more political differences between the high end Intel CPUs. Go instead inwards. Figure out what you really need from the system you intend to create for yourself. Create a single thread about your thoughts. And the collective minds of the mighty SPCR will guide you.

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Re: External fan controller that adjusts fans based on temps

Post by xan_user » Thu Jan 16, 2014 8:05 am

Vicotnik wrote:Go instead inwards. Figure out what you really need from the system you intend to create for yourself. Create a single thread about your thoughts. And the collective minds of the mighty SPCR will guide you.
best advice given to nettech yet!

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