Built a cheap DIY fan controller because my motherboard never had working PWM
3 days ago
- #DIY PC Build
- #Arduino Fan Controller
- #Retro Computing
- The author built a retro PC with an MSI 970 Gaming motherboard, but discovered that MSI forgot to wire the Super IO chip, causing fan control issues like constant high speeds and inaccurate temperature readings.
- To solve the problem, the author created a custom fan controller using an Arduino Nano clone that generates a 25kHz PWM signal, along with a Windows application called DummyFanX for temperature-based fan curves, supporting Windows XP through Windows 11.
- The Arduino script includes features like mirroring motherboard PWM, manual speed presets via a button, and automatic fallbacks, while DummyFanX reads CPU temperature via HWiNFO or a kernel driver and sends duty cycles over serial.
- The project addresses a broader issue with older PCs lacking 4-pin fan headers, offering an open-source Arduino script under MIT license and a paid Windows app, making fan control accessible and flexible for various setups.
- The solution is cost-effective and avoids proprietary systems, providing a DIY alternative for users facing similar motherboard flaws or outdated hardware.