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Case fans keep spinning up without reason


mrpetrov

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Hi folks

 

I recently setup a new system:

- Intel 8086K

- Asus Maximus Hero X (Wifi AC) mobo

- Corsair H150i

- Samsung Evo PRO 1Tb

- Corsair Obsidian 500D SE RGB

- 3x ML120 Pro RGB fans

- 3x LL120 fans - came with case

- 3x ML120 Pro (non RGB) fans - came with h150i

- Commander Pro

- 2x Corsair LED hubs (one for each set of 3x RGB fans)

 

It's all running nicely, except that the 6 (front) radiator fans - (3x ML120 Pro RGB and 3 x ML120) will spin up to 1200 rpm pretty frequently even when the pc is idling and CPU temps are hovering around 30C. I am using the default "Quiet" setting for all 6 fans on the CoPro.

 

The 3x ML120 fans directly connected to the h150i don't spin up, they sit at a nice sensible c.300rpm.

 

Motherboard temps all seem fine too (although temp 5 from the Asus motherboards spikes between 0 and 120s frequently - not sure what that is but others have noticed this on this mobo with Corsair software too).

 

Is this a case of just having to change my fan curve or does it sound like Commander Pro is acting weird...?

 

Thanks!

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The default fan curves are based on the CPU temperature. I suggest that you create a custom profile that isn't. If they are radiator fans, you can use one of the CoPro's included thermistors and place it between the fan and the radiator on the exhaust side and use the exhaust temp to control the fan speed.
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The default fan curves are based on the CPU temperature. I suggest that you create a custom profile that isn't. If they are radiator fans, you can use one of the CoPro's included thermistors and place it between the fan and the radiator on the exhaust side and use the exhaust temp to control the fan speed.

 

Ok great, thanks, I'll do that! I had figured keeping it as based off CPU temps was the right way to go as, ultimately, that is what you're trying to keep cool.

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Ok great, thanks, I'll do that! I had figured keeping it as based off CPU temps was the right way to go as, ultimately, that is what you're trying to keep cool.

 

You have a water cooled system, right? So the CPU temp isn't relevant - at all - for case fan temps. The cooler handles the CPU heat and that will be impacted by coolant temperature. Also, since the CPU isn't dumping its heat into the system, it's not impacting the internal case temperature. THAT's what you are trying to cool with your case fans - not the CPU.

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You have a water cooled system, right? So the CPU temp isn't relevant - at all - for case fan temps. The cooler handles the CPU heat and that will be impacted by coolant temperature. Also, since the CPU isn't dumping its heat into the system, it's not impacting the internal case temperature. THAT's what you are trying to cool with your case fans - not the CPU.

 

What sensor or sensor location would be a good choice for the case fans to read from?

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What sensor or sensor location would be a good choice for the case fans to read from?

 

It depends on the fan. If they are radiator fans, then in the exhaust flow of the radiator - that'll be a very close approximation of the coolant temperature. For other fans, typically somewhere around or above the GPU as that's the source of the most heat. For my case airflow fans, I have a temp sensor just above the coolant head, which is a couple of inches above the GPU. It does kick up - quite a bit - when I'm loading the GPU (like during games).

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It depends on the fan. If they are radiator fans, then in the exhaust flow of the radiator - that'll be a very close approximation of the coolant temperature. For other fans, typically somewhere around or above the GPU as that's the source of the most heat. For my case airflow fans, I have a temp sensor just above the coolant head, which is a couple of inches above the GPU. It does kick up - quite a bit - when I'm loading the GPU (like during games).

 

Makes sense. Currently running my H115i Pro off coolant temp (cooler installed as intake in front of case) but was looking for the best location for my rear exhaust and 2 Upper exhaust fans.

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This is great stuff, thanks so much for the explanation DevBiker - I understand now that the cooler pump/fans run off the CPU temps while the radiator fans should run off case temps. I hadn't installed the CoPro temp sensors, but I will do now. I use a 2x3 fan setup for the h150i radiator - pulling in from outside on one side and pushing into the case from the internal side.
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This is great stuff, thanks so much for the explanation DevBiker - I understand now that the cooler pump/fans run off the CPU temps while the radiator fans should run off case temps. I hadn't installed the CoPro temp sensors, but I will do now. I use a 2x3 fan setup for the h150i radiator - pulling in from outside on one side and pushing into the case from the internal side.

 

Almost .. the radiator fans should run off of the coolant temperature. That's what they actually cool. The coolant, in turn, is what cools the CPU. Basing your radiator temperatures on the coolant temperature will also keep the fans from spinning up and down constantly as well; Skylake and higher CPUs are notoriously dynamic with temperatures.

 

For push/pull on the H150, you can put 3 fans on the cooler itself and configure to the coolant temp and the other 3 can be on the CoPro based on the H150 temp or on a thermistor in the between the exhaust fans and the radiator. This will be really close to the coolant temperature.

 

Do not put all 6 fans on the H150 unless they are all ML fans. Any others will have too much power draw. And 2-way splitters on the CoPro are OK; don't do 3-way splitters. We've seen lots of issues with them.

 

Case fans should be based on the case temp.

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Ah, that’s brilliant, cheers!

 

I have the ML120 fans that came with the H150i on the outward side of the radiator, linked to the H150i fan headers, pulling air into the case. I have the new ML120 RGB Pro fans on the inside of the radiator, connected to the CoPro fan headers. I will link these inside ML120 RGB Pro fans to the H150i temps through iCue.

 

Separately, I have the three 120 LL RGB fans that came with the case just expelling air at the top and rear of the case. I will set up a thermostat somewhere and link those to said thermostat.

 

Thanks again DevBiker!

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