Multi-channel fan controller for several PWM/Non-PWM fans Vs a decent MB?

[jalyst]

I think Conumdrum answered most of your questions.

I've since identified at least one flaw with the multi-channel PWM/LVC controllers I've seen so far:
They don't interface with our MB/BIOS/EFI & adjust LV/PWM of their channels independently, based on temp readings passed from the MB.
Plus RPM data of each fan can't be passed back to the MB....

Such a set-up would be close to 'Fan-control Nirvana' IMO....
This 'kinda' comes close, cept that it has manual control & hence requires a bay, which I don't need.
And the input 4-pin molex connection is only suited for 60-80W, so even running 2-ch at full capacity could get dangerous.

Perhaps you can answer a question for us - why do you want control and RPM feedback of so many fans, motherboard or otherwise?

If it's do-able, why not?!

I'm building my controller because I want my system to tick all the air cooling boxes - silence, efficiency, and raw performance. To claim all three with the same fans simply isn't possible without a controller. Silent cooling may be efficient but cannot provide raw performance; efficient cooling may be silent and may perform well but excels at neither; and performance cooling is highly efficient but never silent.

This is precisely what I'm aiming for, but in a pre-built controller device, if not possible via MB.

As it stands, my silent rig is composed entirely of low speed fans; for efficient cooling (when stress testing etc) I have to swap out the CPU fan for something more powerful; and for raw performance during benching I have to set up several fans to cool the chipset, VRM, memory etc. in addition to swapping out the CPU fan again.

I don't envision needing to swap-out the chassis fans etc. very often...
But I may decide to get more heavily into OC, & hence need some stronger fans to cool chipset/vrm/mem etc.
And I may eventually replace the AP-15's on my Rad with 2x 5400RPM GT, if testing of 1x goes well.

Primarily the build isn't a 'hard-core' OC/gaming machine....
It's primary utility is HTPC/PVR (BE+FE), & to some extent initially, a NAS.
But I will play with mild OC's, & occasionally may want to go more 'hard-core'. (not to win benchmarking championships etc though)
The majority of the time though it'll run at stock, or even slightly UC.

[fgw]

They don't interface with our MB/BIOS/EFI & adjust LV/PWM of their channels independently, based on temp readings passed from the MB.

some (may be each) channel of the fan controller can be connected to the MB and use the PWM signal the MB sends to control the fan.

Plus RPM data of each fan can't be passed back to the MB

did not think of routing back the rpm signal to the MB, as rpm can be read through the fan controller anyway, but this might be useful when the MB/bios is used to monitor fan rpm and probably shutdown or alarm the system on failure. anyway, this can be implemented easy.

it requires a bay, which I don't need

no bay required here. the fan controller is a box to be mounted anywhere. but keep in mind, as the fan controller will use linear voltage control it will need some airflow to keep temps under control when high load fans are used. this should not be an issue when using standard fans which draw less than 250mA (most of the fans out there will fall into this category). anyway, max possible current per channel will be 3A. not decided yet how many channels will provide this.

And the input 4-pin molex connection is only suited for 60-80W, so even running 2-ch at full capacity could get dangerous.

have to check the specs to see what a single 4pin molex is able to supply. if one is not capable of doing the job, i might consider using a second one but i doubt it will be required.

And I may eventually replace the AP-15's on my Rad with 2x 5400RPM GT, if testing of 1x goes well.

powerwise this should not be a problem.