Fancontrol with Z97 Extreme6

darksky wrote: I am considering the Z97 Extreme6 but I read in the manual that it only has 1 4-pin connector for the CPU fan.  My setup has a dual fan HSF.  Both of the fans are currently controlled by my current BIOS which keeps them slow when idle (cool) and ramps up their RPMS to full at specified temperature points (again in the BIOS). 1) Can the Extreme6 do this with both fans? 2) Am I correct that a 4-pin connector is required for this?

It sounds like you are using two four pin PWM controlled fans with your CPU cooler. What CPU cooler and fans are you using?

Most if not all four pin PWM fans can have their speed controlloed by a voltage controlled three pin fan header. I've done that myself with ASRock boards, using the three pin CPU_FAN2 connector, and it works fine. I have a Z97 Extreme6 board, and that works fine with its CPU fan connectors.

The Chassis Fan1 connector is a true four pin PWM fan header, which can be configured in the UEFI/BIOS to monitor the CPU temperature. That would be another option for you.

Most older and many current mother boards do not have true PWM fan speed control on the "CPU2" or "CPU_OPT" fan header, that are four pin connectors. What board are you using now?

Depending upon the fans you are using with your CPU cooler, you could use a PWM fan splitter cable. One connector for the board, two connectors for the two fans on the other end.

Noctua CPU coolers include this splitter cable with their CPU coolers, for example. These adapters can be purchased individually, they are available from many on line PC hardware retailers. The only limitation is the max power usage of the fans. If they are both more than 0.5A, that is more power than the CPU_FAN1 header is rated to support.

I use an NH-D14 on my ASRock Z170 Extreme7+ board. The stock fans are both three pin, as you know.

I replaced the NF P12 with a 120mm PWM fan, on the CPU_FAN1 header, and the NF P14 is on the CPU_FAN2 header. Both fans have their speeds controlled fine.

ASRock has made a point of offering mother boards whose orientation is not simply for gaming or over clocking. They have included M.2 ports on some of their X99 and Z97 boards. As you know, others are just catching up now.

An M.2 port is not enough if you want to use a Samsung 950 Pro NVMe SSD as the OS drive. The board's UEFI must have NMVe support, as well as have the ability to configure the CSM option. ASRock has provided both of these things on all of their boards that have M.2 ports.