High-quality fan controller needed - suggestions?

[TPCEA]

At this time, I'm doing a lot of fan swapping, including RGB and ARGB fans, and I'm using a couple of crappy FCs, one powered by Molex D, the other by SATA, which forces me to keep my side panel ajar so those 2 cables are accessible (I ran them from behind to that side) to these external FCs. I also sometimes plug fans into my 2 CPU headers with an extension. I'm not pleased with this arrangement, and so I'm interested in either something I can add to my (Corsair 5000x) case with a long reach, or preferably a stand alone unit for running fans, including lights.

Whichever, it must be high quality but:

• not gonna break the bank (the only recommendation I have so far is Aquacomputer FCs, which are near the max I HOPE to spend of $200),
• even if it only has a couple of ports each (PWM, RGB, & ARGB) that is fine - I don't need a lot.
• It has to have precise and complete control with a display through the whole range of RPM (I have server and consumer fans), temps (there are 3 thermocouples I can take out of one of my FCs if needed), duration, etc.
• It must fully support PWM - some manufacturers sell 3-pin FCs and yet claim they support PWM.
• individual shut-offs (i.e. kill switches) and/or linear regulators, and high-quality parts;

I'm not an engineer or I'd design and build it myself, but I don't have the time to learn, plus my math skills are weak. If someone wants to design and build it, I'm down for that, or if someone wants to design it and link me to all the parts so I can improve my soldering skills, or use a breadboard, that's also cool.

Bonus points:

• doesn't come from China, N. Korea, Russia, etc. I realize this may not be possible;
• can transmit data to my computer via USB if it's stand-alone, including RPM, timings;
• If it's internal and can plug into headers as well as the PSU, that's nice but my headers only handle 1A each for the signal;
• control amps, watts and/or volts;

I've probably forgotten something. My assumption at this point is that the external FC powered by AC is going to be the best option.

Separate question: does anyone know where I can get the InWin Mars fan in the USA?

 

[al_bundy]

Hi, an all in one device is not that easy to find. But u can check aquacoputer. They have nice products u looking for.

 

[kapone32]

Cooler Master, Thermalright and others all offer low cost fan adapters. Unfortunately your China request is probably not possible. You won't be able to control them individually so you will need to make sure your fans are as similar as possible. You can even get them with ARGB headers if you pay a little more. Amazon and Newegg are the best with Amazon having the most options. They use SATA for power in all cases but will have a 4 Pin connector for PWM control.

 

[TPCEA]

Cooler Master, Thermalright and others all offer low cost fan adapters. Unfortunately your China request is probably not possible. You won't be able to control them individually so you will need to make sure your fans are as similar as possible. You can even get them with ARGB headers if you pay a little more. Amazon and Newegg are the best with Amazon having the most options. They use SATA for power in all cases but will have a 4 Pin connector for PWM control.

Thanks, but I'm looking for a full-feature fan controller, not a hub, because I need individualized control using PWM. An example of one that is not full-featured is the Thermaltake Commander FT, which works like a hub/repeater/splitter in that only the first fan is using all 4 pins, while the other fans after it are following the settings given to the first. I have two FCs right now, but neither is adequate. I also need to be able to run 2 disparate fans, so having to have highly similar fans isn't an option. My Corsair 5000X comes with a fan repeater that already has that restriction and, thus, isn't suitable for my needs. I looked at a bunch of FCs on Amazon and NewEgg a couple of months ago and was unable to find anything that came close other than Aquacomputer FCs that @al_bundy mentioned. Those are quite expensive at about $200 plus tax & S&H, of course, and only the Aquaero 6 Pro has a display. Sadly, it uses USB 2.0, although maybe that won't matter given the light data that would be transmitted. Also, in order for it to be able to handle RGB & ARGB, I would have to buy additional items. And, again, I really prefer something that I can plug into a wall. But, alas, those are not common and also don't do what I need.

• The Akasa FC.Trio (deprecated) provides individual control of up to 3 fans and has a thermocouple for each, but the quality of the inductors and capacitors causes a delayed reaction to changes. That is why I need a linear regulator and/or a kill switch.
• The EN-Labs CopalFan FC provides individual control of up to 6 fans, but also has lesser components that cause delay and there is no display.

 

[tabascosauz]

• doesn't come from China, N. Korea, Russia, etc. I realize this may not be possible;

Even when 5.25" bay controllers were in vogue, this was basically an impossible requirement lol. I was looking at fan controllers some time ago in preparation for moving into my Caselabs S3, but similarly came up empty. It is just the way of things these days, fan control has long since moved to boards, to be handled via BIOS or software like FanControl.

I don't remember there ever being an actually nice quality (ie. didn't look the exact same as a dirt cheap China "touchscreen" fan controller) 5.25" unit that used a screen and wasn't Aquaero. Akasa had some nice ones with knobs.

Thermaltake Commander FT is an option but it really falls under that China/N.Korea/Russia category in terms of quality and what it actually offers. You can probably find a generic version that offers the TT's feature set, it's nothing special (at some point I remember seeing generic ones that were basically identical).

If you want to go all-out with a screen, then Aquaero is really the only way to go. But it's expensive, even more expensive (if you factor in the software cost of Aquasuite), and magnitudes overkill for not using it on a custom loop. And if you want minimal software dependence (still requires Aquasuite for initial setup) you need to buy the full SKU with touchscreen (not LT). It also looks like in the past few years Aquacomputer has really not cared much about Aquaero in its overall product line in terms of marketing it and supporting it software-wise - they also have been favouring simpler designs in their newer stuff like QUADRO and OCTO, which offload control onto software instead.

In the end I gave up on bay controllers and just split the two last fans onto a Noctua NA-FD1 instead. Works fine, and can either run independently or plug into mobo control as well.

 

[freeagent]

Bonus points:

• doesn't come from China, N. Korea, Russia, etc.

Hmmm

So like.. once the 90s kicked in and was in full swing, did you notice that sticker that said "Made is USA' disappeared?

Well manufacturing for like everything went offshore.. guess to where? Not Russia or N. Korea lol.

 

[Assimilator]

You say you don't want to buy made-in-China produicts, then you complain that FC that aren't made in China are too expensive. :facepalm:

Also good luck expecting someone to design something this complex for you for free.

 

[TPCEA]

Even when 5.25" bay controllers were in vogue, this was basically an impossible requirement lol. I was looking at fan controllers some time ago in preparation for moving into my Caselabs S3, but similarly came up empty. It is just the way of things these days, fan control has long since moved to boards, to be handled via BIOS or software like FanControl.

Hmmm

So like.. once the 90s kicked in and was in full swing, did you notice that sticker that said "Made is USA' disappeared?

Well manufacturing for like everything went offshore.. guess to where? Not Russia or N. Korea lol.

Yeah, see this:

I realize this may not be possible;

Ah, no, that's not racist. It's anti-spyist.

I have a couple of mobile phones that appear to be tied into the Lifeline phone scandal where some Chinese-made phones were being used to spy on the recipients. This was reported on at least once by Malwarebytes but I can't get them to look at these two phones. No more interest.

And, actually, the "Made in USA" stickers didn't disappear until after the 90s, but they definitely decreased! Good ole American capitalism combined with greed pushed all the work to other countries, like Canada, China, Indonesia, etc.

But I just stumbled upon Sasa Karanovic's posts about their open-FC project, and their YT channel. All hope is not yet lost!

Setting aside the problems of spying, it sounds like @tabascosauz and I both want better.

You say you don't want to buy made-in-China produicts, then you complain that FC that aren't made in China are too expensive. :facepalm:

Also good luck expecting someone to design something this complex for you for free.

You have made wrong conclusions.

I'll explain.

1. I am trying to avoid the products of hostile nations due to the widespread spying programs they have. I really don't care what you think about that.
2. I didn't complain that non-Chinese FCs are too expensive. I said:
   1. Aquaero is "QUITE" expensive, which is very different from "too".
   2. I also already indicated that their price tag is about how much I hope to spend on an FC, further denying your false clain of "too".
   3. Further, I pointed out that to get the functionality I need, I would have to buy additional Aquacomputer items to add to the Aquaero 6 Pro, and that would push the total cost up quite a bit, and that is assuming they actually offer all those add-ons.
3. I'm not rich - my efforts are funding by my own sweat equity. I have no sponsors, no donors, and my goal is to help consumers. Do you have some sort of problem with someone who is trying to help consumers? Are you an industry shill who is being paid to denounce someone you don't know anything about?
4. I don't know how you came to the conclusion that I am entitled. However, let's assume that you are right (you're not - I am many things, but I always strive to be a kind and considerate person and fight against my flaws). If I were entitled and expecting someone to do it for free, I would likely have not written what I did. I guess you wouldn't know that since you're likely not a native English speaker.​
5. I neither offered nor denied the possibility of payment for someone's efforts, so your conclusion was very presumptuous. If I could afford it (I have no idea the value of such work aside from companies such as LonGwin, which I cannot afford and who won't reply to my emails), I would be willing to pay for the service. But not from you. Are you aware that some people like helping other people? Some people enjoy the challenge.​

You seem to not understand the difference between human nature and the extremely complex variety of Americans that exist. We are not all universally good or bad. In fact, some of us despise our government and, while Americans MAY benefit, the American government acts so destructively so often that I am ashamed of it and of all Americans who stand blindly by it.

 

[TPCEA]

@al_bundy @kapone32 @tabascosauz @freeagent
Thank you for your responses. I do not require that the fan controller be from those listed countries. As I stated,
"Bonus points:"
and
"I realize this may not be possible".

Unfortunately, the Aquacomputer Aquaero Pro 6 doesn't have all the features I need, it seems, and I'm not sure what else I'd need to buy to get those features. Any advice there would be helpful.

The important things were listed above that section.

• even if it only has a couple of ports each (PWM, RGB, & ARGB) that is fine - I don't need a lot. I can live without ARGB and RGB support on it. Those are secondary.
• It has to have precise and provide complete control, with a display, through the whole range of RPM (I have server and consumer fans), temps (there are 3 thermocouples I can take out of one of my Akasa FC if needed), duration, etc.
• It must fully support 4 pins and PWM - some manufacturers sell 3-pin FCs and yet claim they support PWM.
• individual shut-offs (i.e. kill switches) and/or linear regulators, and high-quality parts; I guess if I must I can buy a kill switch and solder it into the circuit.
• Independent power source and indepdndent of the PC.

I spent time looking at PCPartsPicker today to try and find options. Unfortunately, most of those listed as PWM appear to operate on the "one fan to rule them" principle since I saw 3-wire cables, and several I couldn't tell due to inadequate or missing photos. Most didn't have any prices listed. I also looked on Amazon and NewEgg, and even AliExpress.

 

[kapone32]

@al_bundy @kapone32 @tabascosauz @freeagent
Thank you for your responses. I do not require that the fan controller be from those listed countries. As I stated,
"Bonus points:"
and
"I realize this may not be possible".

Unfortunately, the Aquacomputer Aquaero Pro 6 doesn't have all the features I need, it seems, and I'm not sure what else I'd need to buy to get those features. Any advice there would be helpful.

The important things were listed above that section.

• even if it only has a couple of ports each (PWM, RGB, & ARGB) that is fine - I don't need a lot. I can live without ARGB and RGB support on it. Those are secondary.
• It has to have precise and provide complete control, with a display, through the whole range of RPM (I have server and consumer fans), temps (there are 3 thermocouples I can take out of one of my Akasa FC if needed), duration, etc.
• It must fully support 4 pins and PWM - some manufacturers sell 3-pin FCs and yet claim they support PWM.
• individual shut-offs (i.e. kill switches) and/or linear regulators, and high-quality parts; I guess if I must I can buy a kill switch and solder it into the circuit.

I spent time looking at PCPartsPicker today to try and find options. Unfortunately, most of those listed as PWM appear to operate on the "one fan to rule them" principle since I saw 3-wire cables, and several I couldn't tell due to inadequate or missing photos. Most didn't have any prices listed. I also looked on Amazon and NewEgg, and even AliExpress.

I fully understand what you are looking for now. You mean one of those fan controllers in the days of 3 pin fans that would at that time fit in a 5/14 bay. They had controls on them that would allow you to control individual fans. Unfortunately those went away with the adoption of PWM. The other thing that happened though is MB vendors started giving us more than 2/3 fan headers on a MB at the same time. The majority of fan headers now expect you to use the same fans unless it is the aftermarket

You have not listed your specs but a new MB would be more feasible with what you want to do. I don't know your specs so I can't speak to that. You could also buy some Arctic fans as most of them come with a male and female fan header.

 

[phill]

I use a Lamptron CF525 unit for my main PC. It will handle 60w of fans per channel... 5 channel setup, no RGB, no fuss, just plug fans in, turn control to whereabouts the power you'd like them, enjoy

I re-read through the first post a little more, seems your after something a little more featured, than I have here

 

[Tomgang]

I vote for aquacomputer as well. Exspensive but it works and are reliable.

I have two fan controllers from then in my pc as its a dual system setup. Down side is its Exspensive and over time software licens will exspire so after around 3 years, you will have to pay for licens or you will be stuck with the version of Aquasuite that was last Installed on the pc when licens exspire.

Can you live with that. Aquacomputer controllers will not disappoint you. I am happy with the two controllers i have. Only problem i have had is that software temp sensor stops working. Re install software typically fix that issue throw.

aquaero

aquaero

shop.aquacomputer.de

 

[TPCEA]

I fully understand what you are looking for now. You mean one of those fan controllers in the days of 3 pin fans that would at that time fit in a 5/14 bay. They had controls on them that would allow you to control individual fans. Unfortunately those went away with the adoption of PWM. The other thing that happened though is MB vendors started giving us more than 2/3 fan headers on a MB at the same time. The majority of fan headers now expect you to use the same fans unless it is the aftermarket

You have not listed your specs but a new MB would be more feasible with what you want to do. I don't know your specs so I can't speak to that. You could also buy some Arctic fans as most of them come with a male and female fan header.

I need something that's independent of a motherboard, actually. Sorry, I forgot to relist that it would be much preferable to have one that doesn't rely on a PC at all.

I use a Lamptron CF525 unit for my main PC. It will handle 60w of fans per channel... 5 channel setup, no RGB, no fuss, just plug fans in, turn control to whereabouts the power you'd like them, enjoy

I re-read through the first post a little more, seems your after something a little more featured, than I have here

I'll have to look through their current options as I didn't realize they had some of them. Thanks!

I vote for aquacomputer as well. Exspensive but it works and are reliable.

I have two fan controllers from then in my pc as its a dual system setup. Down side is its Exspensive and over time software licens will exspire so after around 3 years, you will have to pay for licens or you will be stuck with the version of Aquasuite that was last Installed on the pc when licens exspire.

Can you live with that. Aquacomputer controllers will not disappoint you. I am happy with the two controllers i have. Only problem i have had is that software temp sensor stops working. Re install software typically fix that issue throw.

aquaero

aquaero

shop.aquacomputer.de

Thanks for that info! What add-ons would I need (please refer to my OP) to get all the functions I'm asking for?

 

[amit_talkin]

I am using this STW fan controller for like 7 years now. Works well, except the digits on display has partially faded.

STW-6041 Fan Controller 4 Channels 5.25 in Optical Drive Front Panel LCD Display | eBay

With a dual safety system with high temperature alarm and fan anti-seize. When the computer temperature exceeds 60 degrees, the temperature icon flashes and an alarm sounds. Material: ABS+magnesium aluminum alloy.

www.ebay.com

 

[TPCEA]

I am using this STW fan controller for like 7 years now. Works well, except the digits on display has partially faded.

STW-6041 Fan Controller 4 Channels 5.25 in Optical Drive Front Panel LCD Display | eBay

With a dual safety system with high temperature alarm and fan anti-seize. When the computer temperature exceeds 60 degrees, the temperature icon flashes and an alarm sounds. Material: ABS+magnesium aluminum alloy.

www.ebay.com

From the description, it seems it doesn't support PWM... can you post a photo of the inside so I can see the connectors, please?

 

[amit_talkin]

From the description, it seems it doesn't support PWM... can you post a photo of the inside so I can see the connectors, please?

Here

https://www.amazon.in/Controller-Display-Durable-STW%E2%80%916041-Computer/dp/B0C35NCC9F

 

[TPCEA]

Here

https://www.amazon.in/Controller-Display-Durable-STW%E2%80%916041-Computer/dp/B0C35NCC9F

I can't quite tell. I see three for each fan socket and since the description says 4x3-pin, but the description #4 mentions PWM. The only 4-pin I can see is the Molex D power cable. Please tell me, do you see 3 or 4 pins in the fan plugs? If three, are they all together or is there a doubled gap between two of them?
Thanks!

 

[TPCEA]

I found another case that might be a good choice: Sharkoon Rebel C50

 

[tabascosauz]

@TPCEA the OpenFan concept is very interesting and seems to be an exciting opportunity for the DIY types, but if not of the DIY type, it seems to be a lot easier and faster to just use QUADRO/OCTO instead, since all of them are software-dependent and configured in software without hardware controls.

As much as I hate software, it is an inevitable reality of PC hardware today, and if I didn't need more than a single NA-FD1 can provide I think an OCTO is the way I would go.

 

[freeagent]

I tune different zones to different speeds within UEFI. So my fans can ramp as needed.. it seems to work ok. It is not a silent setup though..

 

[TPCEA]

I tune different zones to different speeds within UEFI. So my fans can ramp as needed.. it seems to work ok. It is not a silent setup though.

Can you explain your zoning and curves?

 

[thesmokingman]

Hmmm

So like.. once the 90s kicked in and was in full swing, did you notice that sticker that said "Made is USA' disappeared?

Well manufacturing for like everything went offshore.. guess to where? Not Russia or N. Korea lol.

It's hilarious how things have come full circle. Globalization of supply chain is now not the goal, but vertical integration is where the gravy is. The dopes pushing these narratives just realized that globalization is fraught with pitfalls, like wars and dictators... lmao.

 

[TPCEA]

It's hilarious how things have come full circle. Globalization of supply chain is now not the goal, but vertical integration is where the gravy is. The dopes pushing these narratives just realized that globalization is fraught with pitfalls, like wars and dictators... lmao.

Would you care to dive more into that cuz, as far as I can see, all they're doing is moving back to other countries like Vietnam, India and Indonesia, as well as C/S. American countries and out of China.

Nothing changes as long as humans are in control.