GA-Q67M-D2H-B3 - System Fan PWM / Speed Control Support?

[Ziggy114]

I am nearing the end of configuring a new system and determining what hardware I need, but in all the documentation I've read I can't find a definitive answer to this question.

Does the 4-pin SYS_FAN header on this board support PWM or some other form of fan speed control?

The manual makes it clear the CPU_FAN header does, but doesn't specifically say whether the SYS_FAN header supports it or not - the only indicator is that in the manual the 4th pin on the SYS_FAN header is designated "Reserve" instead of "Speed Control".

Should I be buying a 4-pin PWM or standard 3-pin fan?

Any and all help is appreciated.

[Dark Mantis]

Hi

I have noticed this before but I cannot say with any confidence whether it will work as a PWM header or not. I would suggest that you purchase a PWM fan and see it it is fully functional. If not you will be left with an ordinary fan.

[Ziggy114]

Bit of a pain that they don't explain that at all, especially since for both headers pin 2 is listed as +12V/Speed Control. I would assume this is for voltage-based speed control, but the ambiguity sucks.

I think I'm going to ask Gigabyte directly, see what their answer is. Browsing the boards it looks like the fan headers (or lack thereof) and their poor documentation is a common complaint. Maybe I can get a definitive answer that will apply to others as well?

Thanks for the response Dark Mantis.

[Dark Mantis]

I am afraid that is one of Gigabytes downfalls, the unwillingness to impart specs and small details like that as standard info in the manual. There should really be far more information at hand for the end user and easilly accessible rather than having to dig every time you need one bit of data.

[Ziggy114]

My Question:

"... there are 2x 4-pin fan headers provided, labeled CPU_FAN and SYS_FAN respectively. In the manual, CPU_FAN is stated to support PWM, however SYS_FAN is not and pin 4 is labeled as "Reserve" instead of "Speed Control". Does the SYS_FAN header support PWM or not?"

Reply from Gigabyte:

"Both the 4 pin header header does support it, however it is automatic and cannot be adjust manually. Also both will required an 4 pin fan in order to take advantage of fan speed control feature."

Apparently both headers do in fact support PWM. It would be interesting to know why the pin-4 functions are labelled differently between CPU_FAN and SYS_FAN, but I think this answer is good enough for my purposes. I live in a place where there isn't a good computer store (for components anyway) and have no choice but to order everything online. I sure would hate to have to deal with returning a pointless PWM case fan...

[Dark Mantis]

Well at least you seem to have got a sensible response and one that is usefull to you. It is  a shame they never elaborated on how the PWM on the second fan is controlled rather than just saying you can't alter it.

[mikonmac]

Anyone have tried F4 bios version?
Upgrading from F3 broken my card, no boot neither in bios.
How can now recover bios on this board?

[Dark Mantis]

Hi

Well firstly I would suggest trying clearing the CMOS thoroughly.

Remove the power cable from the mains supply and then press the power switch on the case for a few seconds just to drain any residual energy in the PSU capacitors.

Once done remove the motherboard battery for at least one hour before replacing it.
 
Next plug back into the mains supply and boot.
 
You will now need to enter the BIOS by pressing DEL and load Optimised BIOS Defaults.

Make any other changes to the BIOS settings to suit your self like disabling the floppy drive, disabling the full screen logo and making the HDD the primary boot device and then press F10 to save and exit.

If that still doesn't work post back and we will try the next thing.

[mikonmac]

Sorry for dual post.
I have tried also this method. Removed battery all night long. Removed HD, DVD, Video Card. CPU fan start moving but nothing happens on screen.  

[Dark Mantis]

Well try this to flash your Main BIOS with your Backup BIOS.

You can kick in the backup BIOS by shutting down the PSU from the wall, then hold down your case power button in and then turn on the power supply button, a few seconds later the board will start, shut off the power supply then.   Then you can turn on the power supply again and power up the board normally and DualBIOS will kick in.

It might take several tries to get the timing right.

[mikonmac]

Sorry, can't boot in Backup BIOS.
I try to resume:

1 - shut down the PSU from the wall
2 - hold down your case power button in
3 - turn on the power supply button
4 - At this point board starts (CPU fan start running) for 2 or 3 seconds,
5 - then CPU fan stop
6 - after 2 or 3 seconds CPU fan starts again

Have I to shut off the power supply after step 4 or 6?
[Edit]
Tried many times with various timing but bios don't start.

[mikonmac]

I prefer to coninue on other thread. It is more pertaining to bios.