[solved]Controlling my fans: hardware controller VS software app

[Arya]

With my next PC I want to have control over my fan speeds and curves. What's the best way to do this; a physical fan controller or a software app?

[roguekiller23231]

fan controller, software would require fans that can be adjusted and have a RPM data connection to the motherboard, usually a 4 pin fan connector, most motherboards will only have a 3 pin header so it won't be possible to do it through the motherboard or software. a fan controller just makes everything simpler and cheaper.

[Arya]

That's exactly what I wanted to know, thanks.

[Revelene]

If you are finding motherboards with only 3 pin headers, then you are not buying modern hardware... You can also control DC (3 pin) fan speeds, just not as precise and cannot go under a certain threshold.

Simply put, if you plan ahead and get a motherboard that has enough 4 pin headers, you'd be set. Fans beside each other, like intake fans for example, can be all controlled over one header via splitter. You need to be smarter than the hardware. Think ahead. Hardware controllers are about pointless with PWM in the mix, as hardware controllers were initially an afterthought design with DC in mind.