Additional fan not working

[Rolo42]

Some options:
- Get a fan that doesn't require high voltage to start (ones with variable speeds built into them)
- You can get a fan that has its own temp sensor and plug it into power directly
- Use a resistor connected to +12v to augment SYSFAN_2's output voltage (or a transistor if you want full interpolation)

I use the Antec Tri-Cools that came with my Nine-Hundred Twos and a Twelve Hundred.  I have them connected to a 3-position military switch fan controller (UP=12v, MIDDLE=OFF, DOWN=5v).  I have the fan's built-in switches to H (high, full voltage) and flip the fan controller to the 5v position when I use the computer (its always on); they start fine.  The only exception to that is the 200mm fan on top: I had to modify its correlating switch on the fan controller to drop ~7v to get it to start. 

The question to ask is your fan not spinning because the BIOS isn't telling it to because of temps/config or because the fan requires more voltage to start?  You can test this by dropping 5v to it instead of 12v: get a Molex/3-pin adapter as shown above and reconnect the 3-pin +12v wire to +5v and see if it reliably starts.  Even if it does, SYSFAN_2's output is still in question (you don't want the BIOS feeding it, say, 2.5v most of the time, burning out the fan), hence my third suggestion.

[Lsdmeasap]

SYS_Fan2 has been like this for many years, on ALL Gigabyte boards I have ever used, so it's not something anyone should be told by Gigabyte to RMA the board over, not sure what they were thinking tell you that because any new board they send you will be exactly the same for SYS_Fan2.

They do it on purpose by design, and I'm not sure why, but they wont change it as I know it's been brought up with them many times in he past.

[Rolo42]

I'd guess its for small (~25mm) 5-volt fans you put on the chipset heatsink.

Here's another option: here's a 120mm 5-volt fan: http://www.coolerguys.com/840556087908.html

[Dark Mantis]

As Lsdmeasap says the SYSFAN_2 header has always been the same and oinly produces half the voltage of the other fan headers. Anyone who suggests an RMA for that is severely misinforming the member with the problem. All boards are the same as they come off the production line.

Miick you need a fan that has a starting voltage of 5v to work on that header.

[Aussie Allan]

   The more you take OFF the mobo and use other methods (Front bay fan controller) the better ... mobo headers can be easily overloaded.... trying to suck 12V off a 5V header ..... you get the picture

  Aussie Allan

[MiiCK]

As I'm not overly clued up on fans etc, can you help me with my issue? I've got a load of fans sitting here doing nothing.

Can I get some fan controller (I've got one in my Zalman Z9 case, runs two top fans that's it) that will power all my necessary fans and let me control the speeds of them? My current fan controller is 3pin and the speeds of the fan can be changed but they're too loud for my liking, so ideally I want to change them.

I'm not overly bothered about brand etc, if I can get some cheap make fan controller (that slots into one of my 5.25" drive bays???) that can power some(all?) of my fans, it'd be great, basically I'm going to use a total of 6 fans, and right now i'm using some random 3 pin fans that are loud and ugly if someone can help me sort this before monday I can keep my fans instead of returning

TA, MiiCK

[Rolo42]

Fans can only pull whatever voltage is available; what can be overloaded is current.  IIRC, fan Giga's fan headers can support up to 1A, which is way more than a fan needs (one or two tenths ampere).  Overbuilding power is one reason I like Gigabyte.


If you want understated: http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0332416

Put two adjacent fans on one connector (i.e. top two).  5v setting is quiet, 12v setting isn't; I've never needed 12v.

[MiiCK]

I've just found this, seems ideal for me.. can everyone check if it's suitable for my needs?

6x 4 pin Akasa Apache Black fans, need to control them to be super quiet
fit in my 5.25 bay
will i need adapters to stretch my fans from say, the back panel of my case to the front panel of the fan controller??

thanks

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/nesteq-fanmax-8-channel-black-fan-controller

[Aussie Allan]

  JADEC have a say in here and generally ..... 120mm fans have about 300mm of lead length to play with .....so depends where you put them in the case.......if you use a third party front bay fan header...... they give you generally another 300mm+ to play with.

  Better photo's of the wiring and review here...

    http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cooling/2009/08/15/three-multi-channel-fan-controllers-tested/1

  Aussie Allan

[MiiCK]

Cheers Allan, looks like I can't get that one then? Picture http://images.bit-tech.net/content_images/2009/08/three-multi-channel-fan-controllers-tested/2.jpg shows 3 pin stuff and my fans are 4 pin.. i'm totally confused. do i need to buy a load of 3 pin fans now? surely there's a way to get my 4 pin fans working with some cable and let me control the speeds 

[Aussie Allan]

 I haven't got time ATM to read the lot but I remember that this one has 3 or 4 pin capabilities ..... a little reading and research is in order...

  Or call Scan or Aria sales Monday Morning for a answer if you don't feel like the read.

  Aussie Allan

[Rolo42]

A 4-pin fan controller may be hard to find.  The review said that one had 3-pin headers but see if they make a PWM version.  It's nice, goes with your Zalman case, and gives you finer control that you want with switches so you don't have to fiddle constantly.

Fan extension cables depend on your wiring; I used them on mine so I could wire them between the chassis and cover like you eventually did, making the runs a lot longer.

[Dark Mantis]

A 4-pin fan controller may be hard to find.

I agree with Rolo in as much as I haven't come across a four pin fan controller in the normal types. I think Zalman do a specific one on one of their CPU heatsinks and from memory it is dismountable and can be moved from the HSF.

[MiiCK]

So, putting a 4pin fan on a 3pin header makes them run at full speed, but i'm guessing a 3pin fan connected to a 3pin fan controller lets me control the speeds, correct? So looks like i'll have to return my fans on Monday. Tried purposefully to get some quiet fans with high airflow. Any recommendations on 3pin fans (need 6) and a decent fan controller? (the one I picked should do fine? or any better/cheaper ones?)

Ta

[Aussie Allan]

  4-pin PWM connector ..... 
   
       Is intended to connect to your mobo so that your mobo can regulate its speed automatically, without an additional fan controller.

   You can run the fans from a bay speed controller but will require a 4 pin to 3 pin connector ...... £1.00 on eBay .... no brainer!

  Aussie Allan