Aqua Computer Announces the OCTO - 8-channel Fan Controller

[Raevenlord]

Shortly before Christmas, the German company Aqua Computer introduces a new 8-channel controller for PWM fans. The control with the name OCTO impresses with an enormous range of functions and this on a surface smaller than a credit card.

In addition to the core function of a fan controller, the device also offers two channels for digitally controllable LEDs and can control up to 180 LEDs with many effects. In addition to Aqua Computer's own RGBpx LED products, the OCTO can also be connected to LEDs from many third party manufacturers via optionally available adapters.





The most important functions at a glance:

• Programmable 8-channel fan controller
• Eight fan outputs with up to 25 watts power per channel and speed monitoring, 100 watts total power
• All fan outputs with 4-pin plug and adjustable via PWM signal
• All fan outputs can be switched off completely
• Control parameters can be adjusted in many ways
• Four temperature sensor inputs
• 16 further measured values can be transferred from PC to OCTO via aquasuite software
• Flow sensor input
• Two RGBpx LED outputs for LED strips and fans with individually addressable LEDs
• USB 2.0 intterface
• aquasuite software for comfortable adjustment, analysis and visualisation of all sensor data
• aquabus interface: When connected to an aquaero 5/6, the fan outputs can be controlled via the aquaero

Fan controller
The eight fan ports of the OCTO can be configured individually. Thanks to the high output power of 25 watts per channel, it is also possible to connect several fans to one output of the OCTO via suitable splitters.

In addition to a manual adjustment of the fans, temperature-controlled operation is also possible. Both setpoint controllers and individually adjustable control curves are available for this purpose. Optionally, the connected fan can be switched off completely if the temperature falls below the set temperature, or it can continue to run with an adjustable minimum output. An intelligent start boost function with monitoring of the speed signal can be activated for each channel to start the fans safely.

All fan outputs are only suited for PWM fans with four-pin connectors and are protected against overload.



RGBpx control device for addressable LEDs
The OCTO has two RGBpx outputs for the individual control of up to 180 addressable LEDs. Each LED can be individually adjusted in color and brightness. A total of twelve LED groups of variable size can be configured, to which visual effects can then be assigned.

The 23 available effects offer extensive setting options for further individualization. Many effects also offer the possibility to modify effect parameters (e.g. speed) depending on current sensor values. The available effects also include sound-to-light effects that react to the sound currently played by the computer.



The AMBIENTpx effect deserves special notice, replicating the border area of the current monitor display on connected LEDs, allowing for an impressive background lighting surrounding the monitor.

As an alternative to the LED strips offered by Aqua Computer, Corsair and NZXT LED fans can also be used for lighting effects using the optional RGBpx Splitty4 adapter.

Adapters for the connector used by Asus and other mainboard manufacturers are also available.

Demonstration video of the RGBpx effects:

Usage as aquabus extension device possible
In addition to its use as an autonomous USB fan controller, the OCTO can also be used as an aquabus extension for an aquaero 5 or aquaero 6. In this case, the aquaero can use the eight fan outputs of the OCTO for its own control functions.

Technical data

• Dimensions without inserted cable: approx. 76 x 48 x 15 mm
• Supply voltage: 5 V, 12 V
• Fan output power: maximum 25 watts per channel, 100 watts total output power
• PWM control signal: 0 - 100 %, resolution 0.1 %

Scope of supply

• OCTO Controller
• one temperature sensor, length approx. 70 cm
• one internal USB connection cable, length approx. 100 cm
• mounting material

Price and availability
OCTO is available as of now at a price of 54.90 Euro.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[DeeJay1001]

Looks pretty promising. I've used both the GRID/HUE comba and now a Commander pro but it's nice to have options.

The NZXT products were sub par hardware and absolutely abysmal software.

The commander pro has been very good to me.

 

[BakerMan1971]

If the software is good then this is a great and dare I say quite well priced controller with some great features.
PWM and ARGB is impressive

 

[Oberon]

Four temperature sensor inputs, but still no support for virtual sensors I bet.

 

[Shoggy]

Even better: you can use the virtual software sensors from the playground to do whatever you want - your imagination is the only limit.

Just three examples:



OCTO can process up to 16 of these self-created sensors.

 

[E-curbi]

If the software is good then this is a great and dare I say quite well priced controller with some great features.
PWM and ARGB is impressive

If the software is good?

Last I heard, AquaSuite software is/was the highest performing, most functional and comprehensive - fan pump lighting system monitoring control software available on Planet Earth. lol

I'm using the insider version X.9. Yet upon opening the suite this morning - lo and behold - there's my invitation to update to insider version X.10 just released, umm today...

When you initially install the software, simply remember to select the "notify about new insider versions" update box. (red arrow below)

Making it possible to dnld the newest and most recent unpublished extremely secret variant available only to a select few elite hardware enthusiasts. (or anyone else who checked the box)

Even better: you can use the virtual software sensors from the playground to do whatever you want - your imagination is the only limit.

Just three examples:



OCTO can process up to 16 of these self-created sensors.

Woooo Hoooo. MAD LOVE for the ShoggDogg!

Thanks for the X.x versions Shoggy. I'm STILL running my Aquaero 6 LT from 2013 on my 2ndary rig and another Aquaero 6 LT (from 2015) along with a Vision Touch module on my Primary work rig.


I haven't played in the Playground yet - something new to explore...

Woooooooots.

 

[MDWiley]

This looks really promising, especially the option to buy adapters for other brand products. My commander pro has been great, but having options would be better. The software looks good too.

 

[Tomgang]

I have used a Aquacomputer aquaero 6 XT controller for a year now and hornestly the controller and software really works well. At first glance the software can be a little bit confusing. But when I first got used to it, it's really brilliant to use the software. So many funktions and ways to set it up. I have 12 pwm fans connected to it and it handles it flawless.

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

Even better: you can use the virtual software sensors from the playground to do whatever you want - your imagination is the only limit.

Just three examples:



OCTO can process up to 16 of these self-created sensors.

This something I can get into, but can it beat SpeedFan's temp control? Software controlled is a must have. I used to use a GRID+ but instead of having separate fan controls, I just plugged everything into the Phanteks fan hub and use SpeedFan as a 'one size fits all' fan controller.

Something like this could let me separate fans and do so much more. I did find one bug with Conan Exiles and Speedfan (I reported it but as usual it fell on deaf ears), what happens is Conan Exiles interferes with the temp sensor readings in SpeedFan and short of rebooting the PC, there is nothing else I can do. So since this is relatively new, please look into this as a potential breaking bug @Shoggy. Thanks

Also, Im not sure about the 25 watts per channel for fans, I'd like to see 30-35 watts, for 3-4 fans.

 

[Shoggy]

This something I can get into, but can it beat SpeedFan's temp control?

Also, Im not sure about the 25 watts per channel for fans, I'd like to see 30-35 watts, for 3-4 fans.

What are you looking for? I don't think that speedfan can do anything that the aquasuite can't do.

If you need more power you have to grab the aquaero 6. It offers 30W per channel and up to 36W when used with the passive heatsink.

 

[phill]

Looks good but I wonder why they'd advertise it at 25w a channel and then say it's limited to 100w?? Seems a little odd...

 

[Shoggy]

Looks good but I wonder why they'd advertise it at 25w a channel and then say it's limited to 100w?? Seems a little odd...

Pretty normal thing and limited by physics. You can not push 200W through a single power plug nor would the board be able to handle such a load. A PSU with 10 plugs where I can connect 100W to a plug will also not turn the PSU into a 1000W model

 

[phill]

Through a single molex I'm not surprised, maybe a newer version with a 6 pin PCIe cable?

I'll stick with my current fan controller, 60w a channel, 5 channels I'm not yet in need of any RGB just yet

 

[AnarchoPrimitiv]

Why do they have to use weird 4 pin LED connections instead of LED industry standard 3 pin JST connectors? I hate that. And why is it that it can only control 180 pixels when a $10 generic controller that isn't connected to a PC or PC brand can control 2048 pixels at a minimum? I'm guessing it's an issue of power, so then why not allow for power injection at the opposite end of the LED strip like you can do with LED strips outside of a PC environment? A typical 60 LEDs/meter strip at 5 meters (300 LEDs draws approximately 72 watts, so it's not like it's a huge power draw... Something that can easily be done with an adapter cable plugged into your PSU.... This is why I I just took an arduino and housed it in a brushed stainless steel casing I made for it and placed it in the back of my PC to control my LEDs with FASTLED programming library.... Now I have all the RGB strip control I want, no limit on pixels and don't have to have multiple RGB software suites

 

[E-curbi]

Are the Quadro and Octo PWM output only?

So if you use a combination of PWM and DC fans you still need an Aquaero 6?

 

[Shoggy]

Are the Quadro and Octo PWM output only?

So if you use a combination of PWM and DC fans you still need an Aquaero 6?

Correct, QUADRO and OCTO can be only used with PWM fans/pumps.
aquaero and poweradjust are the only devices that offer voltage control.

 

[E-curbi]

Correct, QUADRO and OCTO can be only used with PWM fans/pumps.
aquaero and poweradjust are the only devices that offer voltage control.

Love to update at least one of my Aquaero 6 XTs (modded to LTs) with a new Aquaero 7.

Even the smallest possibility an Aquaero 7 will be announced over the next 24months?

 

[gamefoo21]

What I want to know if you can get RGBpx support through the Aquero if you connect the Octo.

I don't think you can actually do any addressable/digital RGB control via the AQ6.

 

[Shoggy]

What I want to know if you can get RGBpx support through the Aquero if you connect the Octo.

I don't think you can actually do any addressable/digital RGB control via the AQ6.

No, RGBpx is way too complex to be controlled via aquabus.

 

[E-curbi]

I guess that means no.

 

[gamefoo21]

Well I guess that'll be the defining feature of the oft rumoured Aquero 7...

Though I will be abusing my AQ6LT because I'm going to hang 35W pumps off two of the fan controller ports... Muahaha...

I just wanted to cut back on the number of cables running to the mobo, need a usb port splitter too at this rate.

 

[BakerMan1971]

If the software is good?

Last I heard, AquaSuite software is/was the highest performing, most functional and comprehensive - fan pump lighting system monitoring control software available on Planet Earth. lol

I'm using the insider version X.9. Yet upon opening the suite this morning - lo and behold - there's my invitation to update to insider version X.10 just released, umm today...

When you initially install the software, simply remember to select the "notify about new insider versions" update box. (red arrow below)

Making it possible to dnld the newest and most recent unpublished extremely secret variant available only to a select few elite hardware enthusiasts. (or anyone else who checked the box)

View attachment 139786



Woooo Hoooo. MAD LOVE for the ShoggDogg!

Thanks for the X.x versions Shoggy. I'm STILL running my Aquaero 6 LT from 2013 on my 2ndary rig and another Aquaero 6 LT (from 2015) along with a Vision Touch module on my Primary work rig.


I haven't played in the Playground yet - something new to explore...

Woooooooots.

View attachment 139788
View attachment 139789

Well that endorsement is certainly worth a look, I won't question it as I haven't used it myself and look forward to having the opportunity to give it a shot

 

[Aquinus]

USB 2.0 intterface

Typo.

Definitely looks cool. That software probably only works in Windows though.