Suggestions for slowing down 4 fans, no open external bays

Ender17 · Post by **Ender17** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 2:14 am

I just built a new HTPC/file server and I need a way to slow the fans down. I just turned it on to make sure it would post, and it felt like they were all blowing at full speed.

So far I've found the Zalman RC100 resistors which look like a good option. I don't want 4 Fan Mates crammed in there.

Full Specs
Antec Solo
Asus P5E-VM HDMI
Intel E7200
2GB of DDR2 (on the way)
Antec 380W EarthWatts (got this for $5 after rebate)
Super Micro CSE-M35T-1B
Western Digital WD6400AAKS
5 x Western Digital WD10EACS
Samsung SH-183 DVD-RW
HighPoint 2320
Thermalright HR-01 Plus
Scythe S Flex SFF21E (120mm on CPU)
Scythe Kama Flex SA0925FDB12L (92mm in Super Micro drive cage)
Scythe Kama Flex SA0825FDB12SL (80mm bottom exhaust)
Yate Loon D12SL-12 (120mm top exhaust)

I posted pics on another forum if anyone wants to see them.
http://www.hardforum.com/showpost.php?p ... count=6746

mkk · Post by **mkk** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 2:36 am

You could put two fans on one Fan Mate using a three pin Y-splitter cable, as long as each fan does not draw more than 3W each, but that's a lot. Since the cables are so long on the newer Fan Mates (v2) I have two of them sitting on the outside of the case with the cables routed through a hole in the side.

crispyfish · Post by **crispyfish** » Sat Aug 02, 2008 9:27 pm

Since you've got a free PCI slot in the back, you could use one of these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6811999046

Use a fan splitter for one of the controls and you're set for all 4 fans.

Post by **MikeC** » Sat Aug 02, 2008 10:57 pm

Or use series wiring. It's free.

Wire the 120mm fans in series, then connect them to 12V. Each fan will get 6V (or close enough -- they're different fans so will draw a bit differently). Ditto the 90 and 80mm fans -- again they're close enough. You don't seem obsessed about quiet, and this will probably be quieter than with even one of those fans at full speed.

Ender17 · Post by **Ender17** » Sun Aug 03, 2008 2:29 pm

crispyfish wrote:Since you've got a free PCI slot in the back, you could use one of these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6811999046

Use a fan splitter for one of the controls and you're set for all 4 fans.

that looks amazing
thanks

MikeC wrote:Or use series wiring. It's free.

Wire the 120mm fans in series, then connect them to 12V. Each fan will get 6V (or close enough -- they're different fans so will draw a bit differently). Ditto the 90 and 80mm fans -- again they're close enough. You don't seem obsessed about quiet, and this will probably be quieter than with even one of those fans at full speed.

What do you mean by series wiring? The 7v mod?
I've heard there may be some issues with that being bad for the PSU.

edit: OK, I did some searching and now I see that is a different mod. I didn't find a good guide anywhere and I'd rather not mess with something like that.

I was thinking about leaving the CPU fan connected to the motherboard and using the SilverStone controller for the other 3. Don't most motherboards regulate CPU fan speed based on temperature? Or does that not work very well?

Post by **MikeC** » Sun Aug 03, 2008 3:41 pm

Ender17 wrote:I was thinking about leaving the CPU fan connected to the motherboard and using the SilverStone controller for the other 3. Don't most motherboards regulate CPU fan speed based on temperature? Or does that not work very well?

Yeah, that'll work fine.