Recommend a fan controller

L31mr0d

Ok i'm on the look out for a fan controller for my HTPC

Here are my requirements

1. Silver fascia
2. Can control 4 fans at least
3. Fits in 5.25" Drive Bay (can't be 3.5")
4. Simple to use.

I don't mind if it has a LCD display but its not needed.

My main need is it to be simple. I'd like to be able to turn all my fans up or down without having a plethora of knobs that I have to adjust. 1 knob or button for all fans would be ideal, but if I can't find it i'll settle for something else.

I've been reading around some reviews and i'm looking for personal experiences on what you would recommend.

My shortlist is:
Akasa AK FC-03: 4 knobs, so not ideal
Zalman ZM-MFC2: Don't know much about this controller but i'm guessing the black finish won't match my silver case, although it does use only one knob.
Coolermaster Aerogate: There is 3 to choose from here, don't really know which one would best suit my needs.
Sunbeam Rheobus: I've heard good things about this allowing more than 4 fans to be connected if needed, but I don't like the fact it has no fan alarms and allows the voltage to be dropped to a point where the fan can turn off.

If anyone has any experience with the above or can recommend an alternative i'd appreciate it.

ricka05

Simple ....and its silver as well.....

http://www.quietpc.com/ie-en-eur/products/casefanaccessories/zm-mfc1-plus

Anti

I have the sunbeam in my current rig. Its fantastic. Looks nice and clean. No alarms are no hassle, as ITE smart guardian does this for me.

L31mr0d

but its not simple. It has 6 knobs on it. I already have a zalman fan controller in my main rig and its good. But for my HTPC. I'm either going to want it silent when watching movies and browsing or noisy but cooling better when i'm playing games. I've half a mind to just build one myself. But i'm too busy with work at the moment to put it together.

I guess i'm going to have to settle for one with multiple knobs. Although I won't need one with 6 controls and definitely not for that price on QuietPC. I can get the aerogate 1 shipped to me for €20.

L31mr0d

Anti wrote:

I have the sunbeam in my current rig. Its fantastic. Looks nice and clean. No alarms are no hassle, as ITE smart guardian does this for me.

Yeah but ITE can only monitor as many fans as there is mobo fan headers. As i'm building a HTPC I will have only 2 fan headers on my mATX board.

I've also read complaints that the LEDs on the sunbeam are way too bright, what do you think Anti?

8T8

Akasa have another controller with manual/auto fan speed controller but it only supports two fans, no dials on the front though and is available in silver.

http://www.akasa.com.tw/akasa_english/spec_page/control_panels/spec_ak_all_01sl.htm

Anti

I dont think so tbh. You can have them red or blue. Blue being fast, red being slow. But then again i dont look at them. If this is a HTPC to sit under the tv then you will notice them in the dark. But you can just disconnect them.

I dont have a good picture of what they look like, but this is the closest i could find in my phone:

awhir

the sunbeams are mena be good but the leds are mena be toooo bright and they have a tendince to go on fire

Anti

just looking back on the picture, they are way to bright.

And whats this about them going on fire??? Well atleast there is plenty of water inside to put it out