How to Build a PC With Fan Control
Building your own PC is a great way to personalize and customize you computer for your needs. While some people only need a PC for basics tasks like word processing, you may want to deck yours out as a powerful gaming and multimedia system. If you're building a powerful PC, cooling will be very important. Building a PC with fan controls allows you to regulate how cool your PC runs as well as how loud it is while the fans are blowing.
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Instructions
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Decide between hardware and software fan control. Hardware controls will let you adjust your fan speed via switches or other variable controls that you will mount to the outside of the case. Software controls will let you adjust the fan through software running on your PC, like Speedfan.
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Choose an appropriate case. Your first consideration needs to be how many fans you will have in your PC. Typically a PC will have three or four fans -- one on the CPU, one on the power supply and one or two in the case. Your case needs to support the number of case fans you want. Your case also needs to facilitate any hardware-controlled fan modules if you choose that route.
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Place your motherboard and power supply in your PC case. Your fans will connect either to the motherboard or to the power supply, so you need both of those components installed before you can think about the fans. Be sure to touch something metal to discharge any static electricity when you work with the motherboard to prevent damaging it.
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Install your fans. The power supply fan is likely built in, so you do not have to worry about that one. The CPU fan is typically the loudest and the most difficult to install, so start with it. Be careful not to damage the CPU when installing the heat sink and fan. Install the rear case fan next, followed by any other fans. Connect the fans to the appropriate places on the motherboard or power supply.
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Finish your PC. Install all of the remaining components, such as hard drives, CD and DVD drives, RAM and graphics cards. While you are installing the other components, consider the airflow through your PC and do not block any vents if possible.
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Test your fans. After you have booted up your PC and installed your operating system, ensure that your variable fan controls are functioning properly. Try all of the different speed settings. If you have difficulties with any of your fans, try to track down the problem before you completely assemble the PC.
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