Seeking guidance on managing the cooling system.
Seeking guidance on managing the cooling system.
I have ten AL120 units all linked to the hub included with the fans, which then connects to the SATA, USB 2.0 port and the fan connector. The RGB cable from that splitter isn’t being used and isn’t attached anywhere. I’m wondering how to test the system with benchmarks and configure fan curves to maintain optimal temperatures for the CPU and GPU. I don’t see any fans listed in my motherboard’s BIOS, but they appear on LC3. Do you all just generate fan curves inside LC3 and run the program automatically each time the PC powers on? I’ve heard it’s better to detach all fans from the hub and plug them directly into the motherboard headers so I can monitor them through BIOS. Assuming that, which fan connectors should I use if the aim is for fans to adjust speed based on CPU and GPU temps? Current fan arrangement: six fans (three side, three bottom, both intake). An AIO unit mounted at the top with three exhaust fans currently set to exhaust via the CPU_Fan header, always running at 100%. One fan in the rear exhausts everything. After a few days, it’s hesitant to run benchmarks or test anything because I’m unsure about the setup. Also, what if a benchmark causes overheating due to improper fan settings? Any guidance would be invaluable. Thanks, and thanks for the parts list: Case - Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO Intel I9-12900k, EVGA FTW3 3090 Ti, ASUS ROG Strix Z690-E, gaming builds, NZXT Kraken Z73, 360mm.
I'm assuming this is Corsair's hub and fans setup, you need to install their software to manage them. This is the typical configuration for LianLi 11o dynamic. It includes six intakes and three exhausts, plus an extra exhaust with Evo. Using Corsair's tools lets you fine-tune fan speeds based on GPU or CPU temperature readings. For testing and adjusting fans, it requires some work. This is generally how I approach it (make sure components cool between tests):
1) Keep everything default, run all fans at full speed, then perform your CPU benchmark (Cinebench, 3Dmark, etc.) followed by GPU benchmark.
2) Note the scores for both.
3) Capture the highest temperatures for each fan.
4) Adjust fan speed slightly at a time (1-3%) and observe changes, or consider undervolting.
My guideline for safe operating temps is CPU around 75°C and GPU around 70°C. If they exceed these, increase fan speed gradually or try undervolting.
Launch it and test it under benchmarks to confirm it warms up. The fan count seems excessive—modern components may shut down or slow down to prevent damage, and consistently high temperatures can cause lasting issues over time.
They belong to the AL120 series from Lian Li and connect to her hub. I've already downloaded the software, which is L Connect 3 (LC3). It looks like you can adjust or design a custom fan curve based on CPU and GPU temperatures, though the available curves differ and it seems you can only choose one per fan group. Would setting certain fans to activate when GPU reaches high temperatures be counterproductive? For instance, if the CPU is fine but the GPU gets hotter, fans might run even when they shouldn't. Example 1: CPU stays cool while GPU overheats, causing fans to run unnecessarily. Example 2: All fans follow the same CPU curve, ignoring GPU temperature and potentially letting GPU temperatures rise. Should I prioritize creating a curve for the GPU since it tends to heat up faster, helping keep the CPU cooler? I'm not sure if this is the right approach or if I'm misunderstanding LC3. Additionally, when connecting everything to the motherboard, are there specific headers I should avoid?
From my investigation into this situation, the fan count and arrangement are typical for this scenario. Yet, numerous videos and testimonials from owners indicate that temperatures soar significantly without properly configured fan curves. This is why I'm seeking guidance on this matter.
You're wondering if your motherboard supports combining temperature readings to calculate averages or ranges. You can try third-party tools for this. I'm using a specific one (see this video: https://youtu.be/uDPKVKBMQU8).
Exhaust fans typically spin faster than intake fans. If your intake is hotter, the exhaust should increase accordingly to prevent overheating. For intake fans with an O11 dynamic, the bottom one usually monitors GPU temperature while the side one tracks CPU temps.
Took the risk and updated all fan settings into distinct headers on my motherboard. It's interesting how this approach led to the video mentioning unreliable performance without properly connected fans. Disappointing that LConnect 3 shows such inconsistency. The video explains a mixed fan curve that considers both custom and default settings. Would it be better to create a single curve that activates fans based on CPU or GPU temperatures, or do we still need to fine-tune each fan type separately?
To utilize the mix fan curve, you need separate curves for CPU and GPU. The mix will track these two profiles. For instance, the CPU curve requires 60% fan speed, while the GPU needs 70%. The mix curve with average will set fans to 65%, maximum at 70%, and minimum at 60%. Each profile you configure can be assigned to the appropriate fans.
Based on your earlier remark, the arrangement you described aligns with typical cooling system setups. The CPU curve should be placed on the side intake fans, the GPU curve on the bottom intake fans, and the single exhaust fan plus the three radiator fans should follow the mixed fan curve. This configuration is generally recommended for optimal performance.
Exhaust should increase more frequently with additional intake fans. For exhaust units, I recommend choosing the profile offering maximum cooling—whether CPU/GPU or mixed curve. This should maintain higher RPMs. Regarding intakes, I plan a bottom fan using a flat curve and side fans with a mixed curve. In my current configuration (4 intakes, 3 exhausts on a Lancool 2 mesh case), exhaust fans operate about 15% faster than intakes. With a positive pressure fan setup, you often face challenges expelling heat quickly enough. I’ll share my existing fan curve settings once I have the opportunity.