Fan Question

Im thinking about getting a fan controller for my comp. I was wondering if the fans have to be some special fans or can they just be regular standard fans.

I just came across one small article in the last day on how to create your own fan controller with the average case fan. For a specific controller you look at the types of fans it was meant for there. Besides the quality of the fan you would look at the voltage the fan is rated for. You won't use a 5v fan on a 12v controller for sure.

One other article shows a controller swich method in the slide viewer seen at http://www.custompc.co.uk/howtos/601...ontroller.html#

A far better article is how to fight fan noise pollution that gets into what to look at with fan controllers. http://www.tomshardware.com/2004/06/...ion/index.html

Most controllers simply alter the voltage going on, so any fan should work. The only "requirement" would be to be sure the fans have the correct plugs(3pin or 4pin molex).

im thinking about the Ultra 4 fan controller, and it requires 3-pin fans, so if I have 3-pin fans that means they'll work with it?

If needed there are 3 to pin adapters available. The information seen at TigerDirect and in the online installation manual doesn't specify 3 or 4pin while the specifications show a 5v input and 5.5-13v output. http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...MP=OTC-INKTOMI

What does the in and outputs mean, is it that it takes 5.5 to 13 volt fans?

The power source is 5v not 12v like many case fans that use molex connectors from the supply not plugging into the board. Most supplies will see the single 5v plug used on the older style cases for the rear fan there. What this does is step up the voltage for the 12v cases like those with led lights or lower to the 5.5v for the low voltage fans or to simply slow the fan speeds.

so 12V fans will work

Take a close look at the connector on the fans in the image viewer seen at http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...?EdpNo=3328444

The 80mm case fans seen there have 3pin connectors. The controller raises the voltage from 5.5v to 13v according to the product information. But in doing so also does one other thing namely reduce the amperage. There simple math plays in. If you have a 3v fan at 0.5a a 6v fan will run at 0.25a 1/4amp.