Building new system - want to END UP with Windows 11


Yes, there are several boxes sitting on the shelf next to me, including a 12900 CPU, just waiting for the motherboard that's taking longer to get here than planned...

As far as entertainment - it's kinda like saying something is "interesting"... Doesn't mean it's interesting GOOD or interesting BAD. Same with entertainment!
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    i9-12900 overclocked just a touch
    Motherboard
    MSI Tomahawk
    Memory
    64 GB DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia 4060 Ti
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell 3818 & Dell 2407 on the desktop, Dell 2405 on the laptop, Dell 3014 in the RV for traveling.
    Screen Resolution
    3840x1600
    Hard Drives
    1TB SSD for O/S, 4TB for non-image stuff, 8TB SSD for images, 10TB spinning platters for backups.
    PSU
    EVGA 850 silver
    Case
    Phantek
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless M575 trackball
    Internet Speed
    Varies between 20 and 400 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox, Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Plain ordinary PC.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell 7740 Precision
    CPU
    I9-9880
    Motherboard
    Dell
    Memory
    64GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia Quadro RTX 3000
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" 4K and Dell 2405 as needed. Dell 3014 in RV when traveling.
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160, 2560x1600 with connected to 3014
    Hard Drives
    Nothing spinning, 4, 1TB NVME SSD internal.
    PSU
    Dell 240W
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 wireless trackball
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    Depends on how fast the hotspot is wherever I am.
    Browser
    firefox, Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender...
    Other Info
    Just an ordinary laptop for doing image processing and presentation.
Yes, if your new machine has Alder Lake CPU, you definitely should install Windows 11 directly and then tune the UI if you don't like its current look, as many of us have done. Because if you install Windows 10, you will have to upgrade to 11 soon or later anyway.
That wold be around four years from now.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home(Beta) - 23H2 - 22635.3350
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Banana Junior 5600- G Series
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 5 5600G
    Motherboard
    Asus ROG Strix B550-F
    Memory
    G.SKILL Ripjaws V Series 64GB 4x16
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX TITAN X
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Viotek 32", 28" ASUS VP28U
    Screen Resolution
    1080p
    Hard Drives
    Primary SAMSUNG 970 EVO Plus
    PSU
    EVGA BQ 700w 80+ Bronze
    Case
    Zalman i3 NEO
    Cooling
    ARCTIC Freezer 7 X
    Keyboard
    Corsair
    Mouse
    Amazon Generic with Cord
    Internet Speed
    Download: 295.11 mbps Upload: 65.35 mbps T-Mobile Internet
    Browser
    Firefox and Edge
    Antivirus
    MS - Defender
    Other Info
    Speakers: Klipsch ProMedia 2.1

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware M18 R1
    CPU
    13th Gen Core i9 13900HX
    Memory
    32GB DDR5 @4800MHz 2x16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Geforce RTX 4090HX 16GB
    Sound Card
    Nvidia HD / Realtek ALC3254
    Monitor(s) Displays
    18" QHD+
    Screen Resolution
    25660 X 1600
    Hard Drives
    C: KIOXIA (Toshiba) 2TB KXG80ZNV2T04 NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD
    D: KIOXIA (Toshiba) 2TB KXG80ZNV2T04 NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD
    Case
    Dark Metallic Moon
    Keyboard
    Alienware M Series per-key AlienFX RGB
    Mouse
    Alienware AW610M
    Browser
    Chrome and Firefox
    Antivirus
    Norton
    Other Info
    Killer E3000 Ethernet Controller
    Killer Killer AX1690 Wi-Fi Network Adaptor Wi-Fi 6E
    Bluetooth 5.2
    Alienware Z01G Graphic Amplifier
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware Area 51m R2
    CPU
    10th Gen i-9 10900 K
    Memory
    32Gb Dual Channel DDR4 @ 8843MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia RTX 2080 Super
    Sound Card
    Nvidia
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Hard Drive C: Samsung 2TB SSD PM981a NVMe
    Hard Drive D:Samsung 2TB SSD 970 EVO Plus
    Mouse
    Alienware 610M
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Norton

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home(Beta) - 23H2 - 22635.3350
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Banana Junior 5600- G Series
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 5 5600G
    Motherboard
    Asus ROG Strix B550-F
    Memory
    G.SKILL Ripjaws V Series 64GB 4x16
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX TITAN X
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Viotek 32", 28" ASUS VP28U
    Screen Resolution
    1080p
    Hard Drives
    Primary SAMSUNG 970 EVO Plus
    PSU
    EVGA BQ 700w 80+ Bronze
    Case
    Zalman i3 NEO
    Cooling
    ARCTIC Freezer 7 X
    Keyboard
    Corsair
    Mouse
    Amazon Generic with Cord
    Internet Speed
    Download: 295.11 mbps Upload: 65.35 mbps T-Mobile Internet
    Browser
    Firefox and Edge
    Antivirus
    MS - Defender
    Other Info
    Speakers: Klipsch ProMedia 2.1
Perhaps with something other than a Gen12 Intel CPU, so there is no concern about support for the new architecture.

Maybe 11 is still the best choice, as it appears to be supplying "GracieAllen" a lot of entertainment. :wink:
Windows 10 is fully supported for another 3 years. You think MS will not add to it whatever for 12th gen CPUs and keep it current for the next 3 years?
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Homebuilt
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Crosshair VII Hero (WiFi)
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Education
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 7773
    CPU
    Intel i7-8550U
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce MX150
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 512GB NVMe SSD
    SK Hynix 512GB SATA SSD
    Internet Speed
    Fast!
Windows 10 is fully supported for another 3 years. You think MS will not add to it whatever for 12th gen CPUs and keep it current for the next 3 years?
I have no knowledge of that.

However, I can imagine MS using Gen12 support as a lever to drive people to Windows 11. (Counter argument: support of Gen12 CPUs in the corporate world, where Windows 11 may not be adopted for years.)
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 22631.2861
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
    CPU
    Amd Threadripper 7970X
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte TRX50 Aero D
    Memory
    128GB (4 X 32) Kingston DDR5 5200 (RDIMM)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte RTX 4090 OC
    Sound Card
    none (USB to speakers), Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Philips 27E1N8900 OLED
    Screen Resolution
    3840 X 2160 @ 60Hz
    Hard Drives
    Crucial T700 2TB M.2 NVME SSD
    WD 4TB Blue SATA SSD
    Seagate 18TB IronWolf Pro
    PSU
    eVGA SuperNOVA 1600 GT
    Case
    Lian Li 011 Dynamic Evo XL
    Cooling
    Alphacool Eisbaer Pro Aurora 360, with 3 Phanteks T30 fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech K120 (wired)
    Mouse
    Logitech M500s (wired)
    Internet Speed
    1200 Mbps
  • Operating System
    windows 11 22631.2861
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
    CPU
    Intel I9-13900K
    Motherboard
    Asus RoG Strix Z690-E
    Memory
    64GB G.Skill DDR5-6000
    Graphics card(s)
    Gigabyte RTX 3090 ti
    Sound Card
    built in Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus PA329C
    Screen Resolution
    3840 X 2160 @60Hz
    Hard Drives
    WDC SN850 1TB
    8 TB Seagate Ironwolf
    4TB Seagate Ironwolf
    PSU
    eVGA SuperNOVA 1300 GT
    Case
    Lian Li 011 Dynamic Evo
    Cooling
    Corsair iCUE H150i ELITE CAPELLIX Liquid CPU Cooler
    Mouse
    Logitech M500s (wired)
    Keyboard
    Logitech K120 (wired)
I don't get the big deal with not having task manager as a right click option on the taskbar. What's wrong with right clicking the Start button? Do that and there it is. Or even use the Win-X shortcut.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom built
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
    Motherboard
    MSI B550-A Pro
    Memory
    16 GB Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4-3200
    Graphics Card(s)
    PowerColor Red Devil Radeon RX 6600XT with 8GB GDDR6
    Sound Card
    Realtek integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer Nitro 24" RG241Y 144hz refresh rate
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital Black SN770 1 TB NVMe SSD
    Samsung 860 QVO 1 TB SATA SSD
    Seagate Barracuda 1 TB HDD
    PSU
    LEPA B650 650 watt
    Case
    Enermax Coenus
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Hyper T4 air
    Keyboard
    CM Storm Devastator
    Mouse
    E-Blue Cobra Jr.
    Internet Speed
    100mbs
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
    Other Info
    Optical Drives: LG DVD-RW and Pioneer BluRay/ DVD burner
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus ROG Zephyrus G14
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS
    Motherboard
    Asus board (GA402RK)
    Memory
    16 GB Samsung DDR5-4800
    Graphics card(s)
    Integrated Radeon 680M and discrete Radeon RX 6800S with 8GB GDDR6
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek with Dolby Atmos
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Laptop screen 14" WQXGA, IPS, 120hz refresh rate
    Screen Resolution
    2560 X 1600
    Hard Drives
    1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD (WD Black SN850)
    PSU
    Battery power and Asus power brick/adapter. Also has USB-C charging
    Case
    Laptop
    Cooling
    Laptop fans in vapor chamber
    Mouse
    Touchpad and Omoton bluetooth mouse
    Keyboard
    Built in RGB backlit
    Internet Speed
    100mbps
    Browser
    Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
I don't get the big deal with not having task manager as a right click option on the taskbar. What's wrong with right clicking the Start button? Do that and there it is. Or even use the Win-X shortcut.

Some people find interface changes infuriating, even if no functionality is lost. (I'm not one of those.)
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 22631.2861
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
    CPU
    Amd Threadripper 7970X
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte TRX50 Aero D
    Memory
    128GB (4 X 32) Kingston DDR5 5200 (RDIMM)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte RTX 4090 OC
    Sound Card
    none (USB to speakers), Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Philips 27E1N8900 OLED
    Screen Resolution
    3840 X 2160 @ 60Hz
    Hard Drives
    Crucial T700 2TB M.2 NVME SSD
    WD 4TB Blue SATA SSD
    Seagate 18TB IronWolf Pro
    PSU
    eVGA SuperNOVA 1600 GT
    Case
    Lian Li 011 Dynamic Evo XL
    Cooling
    Alphacool Eisbaer Pro Aurora 360, with 3 Phanteks T30 fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech K120 (wired)
    Mouse
    Logitech M500s (wired)
    Internet Speed
    1200 Mbps
  • Operating System
    windows 11 22631.2861
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
    CPU
    Intel I9-13900K
    Motherboard
    Asus RoG Strix Z690-E
    Memory
    64GB G.Skill DDR5-6000
    Graphics card(s)
    Gigabyte RTX 3090 ti
    Sound Card
    built in Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus PA329C
    Screen Resolution
    3840 X 2160 @60Hz
    Hard Drives
    WDC SN850 1TB
    8 TB Seagate Ironwolf
    4TB Seagate Ironwolf
    PSU
    eVGA SuperNOVA 1300 GT
    Case
    Lian Li 011 Dynamic Evo
    Cooling
    Corsair iCUE H150i ELITE CAPELLIX Liquid CPU Cooler
    Mouse
    Logitech M500s (wired)
    Keyboard
    Logitech K120 (wired)
It's not just "lost" functionality. It's functionality that is, for NO overriding reason, made more DIFFICULT or CUMBERSOME to use. Go try attaching to a different network and tell me "it's not a big deal".

Mostly it'll get worked-around, or 3rd party products will help restore some of the productivity, but in what world is it a good idea to make a user interface LESS user friendly and usable than it's predecessor?
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    i9-12900 overclocked just a touch
    Motherboard
    MSI Tomahawk
    Memory
    64 GB DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia 4060 Ti
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell 3818 & Dell 2407 on the desktop, Dell 2405 on the laptop, Dell 3014 in the RV for traveling.
    Screen Resolution
    3840x1600
    Hard Drives
    1TB SSD for O/S, 4TB for non-image stuff, 8TB SSD for images, 10TB spinning platters for backups.
    PSU
    EVGA 850 silver
    Case
    Phantek
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless M575 trackball
    Internet Speed
    Varies between 20 and 400 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox, Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Plain ordinary PC.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell 7740 Precision
    CPU
    I9-9880
    Motherboard
    Dell
    Memory
    64GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia Quadro RTX 3000
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" 4K and Dell 2405 as needed. Dell 3014 in RV when traveling.
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160, 2560x1600 with connected to 3014
    Hard Drives
    Nothing spinning, 4, 1TB NVME SSD internal.
    PSU
    Dell 240W
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 wireless trackball
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    Depends on how fast the hotspot is wherever I am.
    Browser
    firefox, Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender...
    Other Info
    Just an ordinary laptop for doing image processing and presentation.
It's actually a conspiracy by the mouse manufacturers. (Does MS still sell mice? They haven't made one I've liked in many years.)

A lot of stuff that could be done with a single click in the past now requires two or more. Much faster wear.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 22631.2861
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
    CPU
    Amd Threadripper 7970X
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte TRX50 Aero D
    Memory
    128GB (4 X 32) Kingston DDR5 5200 (RDIMM)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte RTX 4090 OC
    Sound Card
    none (USB to speakers), Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Philips 27E1N8900 OLED
    Screen Resolution
    3840 X 2160 @ 60Hz
    Hard Drives
    Crucial T700 2TB M.2 NVME SSD
    WD 4TB Blue SATA SSD
    Seagate 18TB IronWolf Pro
    PSU
    eVGA SuperNOVA 1600 GT
    Case
    Lian Li 011 Dynamic Evo XL
    Cooling
    Alphacool Eisbaer Pro Aurora 360, with 3 Phanteks T30 fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech K120 (wired)
    Mouse
    Logitech M500s (wired)
    Internet Speed
    1200 Mbps
  • Operating System
    windows 11 22631.2861
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
    CPU
    Intel I9-13900K
    Motherboard
    Asus RoG Strix Z690-E
    Memory
    64GB G.Skill DDR5-6000
    Graphics card(s)
    Gigabyte RTX 3090 ti
    Sound Card
    built in Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus PA329C
    Screen Resolution
    3840 X 2160 @60Hz
    Hard Drives
    WDC SN850 1TB
    8 TB Seagate Ironwolf
    4TB Seagate Ironwolf
    PSU
    eVGA SuperNOVA 1300 GT
    Case
    Lian Li 011 Dynamic Evo
    Cooling
    Corsair iCUE H150i ELITE CAPELLIX Liquid CPU Cooler
    Mouse
    Logitech M500s (wired)
    Keyboard
    Logitech K120 (wired)
So it's the fault of "big mouse"? OK, I'll buy that! I thought it MIGHT be some evil tablet conspiracy, but yeah, "big mouse" makes sense!
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    i9-12900 overclocked just a touch
    Motherboard
    MSI Tomahawk
    Memory
    64 GB DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia 4060 Ti
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell 3818 & Dell 2407 on the desktop, Dell 2405 on the laptop, Dell 3014 in the RV for traveling.
    Screen Resolution
    3840x1600
    Hard Drives
    1TB SSD for O/S, 4TB for non-image stuff, 8TB SSD for images, 10TB spinning platters for backups.
    PSU
    EVGA 850 silver
    Case
    Phantek
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless M575 trackball
    Internet Speed
    Varies between 20 and 400 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox, Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Plain ordinary PC.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell 7740 Precision
    CPU
    I9-9880
    Motherboard
    Dell
    Memory
    64GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia Quadro RTX 3000
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" 4K and Dell 2405 as needed. Dell 3014 in RV when traveling.
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160, 2560x1600 with connected to 3014
    Hard Drives
    Nothing spinning, 4, 1TB NVME SSD internal.
    PSU
    Dell 240W
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 wireless trackball
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    Depends on how fast the hotspot is wherever I am.
    Browser
    firefox, Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender...
    Other Info
    Just an ordinary laptop for doing image processing and presentation.
OK, back to the installation...... And yeah, I KNOW this is hardware, but I figure y'all have seen this kind of weird stuff...

Motherboard for the 12900 build showed up this afternoon. I tested it on the bench and it's working. So, I'm putting things in the case, and I ran into THIS. I THINK my reading comprehension is reasonably good, but this one has me a touch confused (the motherboard is an MSI Z690 Tomahawk, and the case is a Phanteks Enthoo Pro):

The PWM hub functions optimally when modulated by a PWM signal from the motherboard, which will allow the greatest control range. However, not all 4-pin motherboard connectors implement the PWM signal modulation. (OK, MAKES SENSE SO FAR)

Connecting the 4-pin to CPU_FAN

For full PWM functionality, Phanteks’ PWM hub requires users to connect the 4-pin connector to the “CPU_Fan” connector of the motherboard, because all motherboard manufacturers implements a PWM signal modulation on this connector. Connect the SATA 12V power to power the PWM hub. Not all motherboards have their CPU_Fan connector set on PWM signal modulation by default. Please consult your motherboard documentation for this matter.

OK, so it wants me to unplug the fan on the tower cooler that’s currently plugged into the “CPU FAN” connector, and replace THAT with a 4-wire cable from the “fan hub”. And I PRESUME plug THAT fan into a SYS FAN connector… I have the second fan from the tower cooler in SYS FAN1, and this one can go into SYS FAN 2. Right?

AND, there’s a “Power” cable that comes off the fan hub with a SATA power connector, so I can connect that. Is the CASE now going to run ALL the system fans in PWM mode based on the CPU? Temperature, instead of ME setting fans in PWM mode in the BIOS? The CPU FAN and pump fan are PWM, but all the others (1-6 SYS FAN are DC by default, BUT CAN BE SET TO PWM MODE)…

HERE'S the piece that got me…

Connecting the 4-pin to other 4-pin header (besides the CPU_Fan)

Other 4-pin connectors can be found on modern motherboards besides the “CPU_Fan” connector (e.g. “CPU_Fan2”, “CHA_Fan”, “OPT_Fan”), however not all motherboard manufacturers implement a true PWM signal modulation onto these connectors. These type of 4-pin connectors modulate the RPM by voltage, which has a smaller control range compared to modulation by true PWM signal.

The 12V SATA power cable can not be used to power the PWM hub if connecting to these types of 4-pin connectors, due to the interference with the RPM regulation by voltage (resulting in the fans running on full RPM). The PWM hub will draw its power from the 4-pin connector, which is limited to a total device consuming 30W in total.

Important Note:

1 motherboard connector can only read 1 RPM signal. Therefore, the motherboard will only read the RPM signal from 1 device connected to Fan 1. The RPM form all other devices will be regulated according to FAN 1. Y-splitter should not be connected to FAN 1.

Does THIS part want me to plug the 4-pin connector into some OTHER fan port? And NOT use the 12V SATA cable? I PRESUME the first option, where I plug the fan hub into the CPU FAN port is the better one?

The OTHER system fans (fans blowing in on the front, out on the back and out the top) are all plugged into this hub, but I COULD plug them into other fan ports. Is there any reason NOT to use this hub? Are all the fan speeds going to get set based on the CPU temp? And is that normal and a good idea?
OR, is this whole thing something not relevant and I should just plug ALL the fans into various SYS FAN ports, and go into the BIOS and set the various fans to PWM?
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    i9-12900 overclocked just a touch
    Motherboard
    MSI Tomahawk
    Memory
    64 GB DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia 4060 Ti
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell 3818 & Dell 2407 on the desktop, Dell 2405 on the laptop, Dell 3014 in the RV for traveling.
    Screen Resolution
    3840x1600
    Hard Drives
    1TB SSD for O/S, 4TB for non-image stuff, 8TB SSD for images, 10TB spinning platters for backups.
    PSU
    EVGA 850 silver
    Case
    Phantek
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless M575 trackball
    Internet Speed
    Varies between 20 and 400 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox, Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Plain ordinary PC.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell 7740 Precision
    CPU
    I9-9880
    Motherboard
    Dell
    Memory
    64GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia Quadro RTX 3000
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" 4K and Dell 2405 as needed. Dell 3014 in RV when traveling.
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160, 2560x1600 with connected to 3014
    Hard Drives
    Nothing spinning, 4, 1TB NVME SSD internal.
    PSU
    Dell 240W
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 wireless trackball
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    Depends on how fast the hotspot is wherever I am.
    Browser
    firefox, Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender...
    Other Info
    Just an ordinary laptop for doing image processing and presentation.
The OTHER system fans (fans blowing in on the front, out on the back and out the top) are all plugged into this hub, but I COULD plug them into other fan ports. Is there any reason NOT to use this hub? Are all the fan speeds going to get set based on the CPU temp? And is that normal and a good idea?
OR, is this whole thing something not relevant and I should just plug ALL the fans into various SYS FAN ports, and go into the BIOS and set the various fans to PWM?


Generally, it's best not to add things to the system that aren't needed. Less things to introduce possible problems.
If it were me, I would plug the CPU fan(s) into their connectors on the motherboard, and the same for the case fans and the sysfan connectors.

The PWM Hub is only there in case you NEED a central location to attach the various fan wires, or in case your BIOS
doesn't have individual PWM fan controls. Your BIOS probably allows you PWM control of ALL the fans.

Fortunately, your motherboard has the CPU fan(s) connectors and the sys fans connectors well located, around the edges.
With that motherboard, you shouldn't NEED the PWM Hub.

Image1.png

IF you want the case fans speed to be adjustable, you will need to check your BIOS on the Hardware Monitor tab.
Most modern motherboards allow you full control of the speeds of ALL the fans, not just the CPU fan(s).

Unfortunately, your motherboard manual doesn't show all the BIOS settings, so you will have to actually check in the BIOS, to see what fan controls you DO have.



Just as an example... AMD hasn't come out with a 600 series chipset, yet. But even the 400 and 500 series AMD chipsets (on decent motherboards), have full control of ALL the fans in a computer.
 
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My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win 11 Home ♦♦♦22631.3374 ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦23H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® [May 2020]
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
    Motherboard
    Asus Pro WS X570-ACE (BIOS 4702)
    Memory
    G.Skill (F4-3200C14D-16GTZKW)
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA RTX 2070 (08G-P4-2171-KR)
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC1220P / ALC S1220A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U3011 30"
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1600
    Hard Drives
    2x Samsung 860 EVO 500GB,
    WD 4TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    WD 8TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    DRW-24B1ST CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling 750W Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Cooler Master ATCS 840 Tower
    Cooling
    CM Hyper 212 EVO (push/pull)
    Keyboard
    Ducky DK9008 Shine II Blue LED
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-100
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox (latest)
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Internet Security
    Other Info
    Speakers: Klipsch Pro Media 2.1
  • Operating System
    Windows XP Pro 32bit w/SP3
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® (not in use)
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ (OC'd @ 3.2Ghz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe Wireless Edition
    Memory
    TWIN2X2048-6400C4DHX (2 x 1GB, DDR2 800)
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA 256-P2-N758-TR GeForce 8600GT SSC
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ViewSonic G90FB Black 19" Professional (CRT)
    Screen Resolution
    up to 2048 x 1536
    Hard Drives
    WD 36GB 10,000rpm Raptor SATA
    Seagate 80GB 7200rpm SATA
    Lite-On LTR-52246S CD/RW
    Lite-On LH-18A1P CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Generic Beige case, 80mm fans
    Cooling
    ZALMAN 9500A 92mm CPU Cooler
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-BT96a
    Keyboard
    Logitech Classic Keybooard 200
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox 3.x ??
    Antivirus
    Symantec (Norton)
    Other Info
    Still assembled, still runs. Haven't turned it on for 13 years?
I agree with Ghot. Forget the hub.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom built
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
    Motherboard
    MSI B550-A Pro
    Memory
    16 GB Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4-3200
    Graphics Card(s)
    PowerColor Red Devil Radeon RX 6600XT with 8GB GDDR6
    Sound Card
    Realtek integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer Nitro 24" RG241Y 144hz refresh rate
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital Black SN770 1 TB NVMe SSD
    Samsung 860 QVO 1 TB SATA SSD
    Seagate Barracuda 1 TB HDD
    PSU
    LEPA B650 650 watt
    Case
    Enermax Coenus
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Hyper T4 air
    Keyboard
    CM Storm Devastator
    Mouse
    E-Blue Cobra Jr.
    Internet Speed
    100mbs
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
    Other Info
    Optical Drives: LG DVD-RW and Pioneer BluRay/ DVD burner
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus ROG Zephyrus G14
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS
    Motherboard
    Asus board (GA402RK)
    Memory
    16 GB Samsung DDR5-4800
    Graphics card(s)
    Integrated Radeon 680M and discrete Radeon RX 6800S with 8GB GDDR6
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek with Dolby Atmos
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Laptop screen 14" WQXGA, IPS, 120hz refresh rate
    Screen Resolution
    2560 X 1600
    Hard Drives
    1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD (WD Black SN850)
    PSU
    Battery power and Asus power brick/adapter. Also has USB-C charging
    Case
    Laptop
    Cooling
    Laptop fans in vapor chamber
    Mouse
    Touchpad and Omoton bluetooth mouse
    Keyboard
    Built in RGB backlit
    Internet Speed
    100mbps
    Browser
    Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
Just connect the CPU fan to the CPU_Fan connector on the motherboard and no other connector. Many times the system will not boot unless a fan isn't connect to that outlet. The others can be used for case fans, etc.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home(Beta) - 23H2 - 22635.3350
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Banana Junior 5600- G Series
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 5 5600G
    Motherboard
    Asus ROG Strix B550-F
    Memory
    G.SKILL Ripjaws V Series 64GB 4x16
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX TITAN X
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Viotek 32", 28" ASUS VP28U
    Screen Resolution
    1080p
    Hard Drives
    Primary SAMSUNG 970 EVO Plus
    PSU
    EVGA BQ 700w 80+ Bronze
    Case
    Zalman i3 NEO
    Cooling
    ARCTIC Freezer 7 X
    Keyboard
    Corsair
    Mouse
    Amazon Generic with Cord
    Internet Speed
    Download: 295.11 mbps Upload: 65.35 mbps T-Mobile Internet
    Browser
    Firefox and Edge
    Antivirus
    MS - Defender
    Other Info
    Speakers: Klipsch ProMedia 2.1
Took alls y'all advice, and moved the fans to CPU and SysFan headers. I put the PUSH fan from the Noctua D15 on the CPU Fan header, and the PULL fan from the D15 on Sys Fan1. Both of those allow PWM control. SysFan2 is the top fan blowing out, and it's also PWM. The other 2 case fans (rear pushing out and front pushing in) are on SysFan 5 and 6 and they're DC.

I've set the smart fan control for everybody to ramp from about 15-20% at 25C to 100% at 80C for PWM, and 3.4-4V at 20C to 12V at 80C. Let me know if I need to change the way the fans are set... Higher flow from the 200mm front fan? Faster ramp for the CPU fans? Whatever.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    i9-12900 overclocked just a touch
    Motherboard
    MSI Tomahawk
    Memory
    64 GB DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia 4060 Ti
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell 3818 & Dell 2407 on the desktop, Dell 2405 on the laptop, Dell 3014 in the RV for traveling.
    Screen Resolution
    3840x1600
    Hard Drives
    1TB SSD for O/S, 4TB for non-image stuff, 8TB SSD for images, 10TB spinning platters for backups.
    PSU
    EVGA 850 silver
    Case
    Phantek
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless M575 trackball
    Internet Speed
    Varies between 20 and 400 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox, Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Plain ordinary PC.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell 7740 Precision
    CPU
    I9-9880
    Motherboard
    Dell
    Memory
    64GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia Quadro RTX 3000
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" 4K and Dell 2405 as needed. Dell 3014 in RV when traveling.
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160, 2560x1600 with connected to 3014
    Hard Drives
    Nothing spinning, 4, 1TB NVME SSD internal.
    PSU
    Dell 240W
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 wireless trackball
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    Depends on how fast the hotspot is wherever I am.
    Browser
    firefox, Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender...
    Other Info
    Just an ordinary laptop for doing image processing and presentation.
It all sounds good to me. Personally I have a front intake fan that is connected straight to the power supply. It's the only one that is and it came that way when I bought the computer. I think it's because it has a blue LED light in it. Or maybe it's because the original Gigabyte motherboard only had one Sys fan header. I have upgraded the computer by swapping out the motherboard, CPU, memory, and GPU but kept the case and power supply. My new board is the MSI B550-A Pro. It has 6 Sys fan headers but I'm only using one for the rear exhaust fan. It runs at a constant 850 rpm and I don't mess with that. My CPU fan is connected to the CPU fan header and is a single fan on my Cooler Master Hyper T4 cooler. So that's it for fans. One intake, one exhaust, CPU fan, dual fans on the GPU that only kick on when the CPU temp exceeds 55C, and the fan in the power supply. The system runs very cool and quiet. The CPU fan never goes higher than 1800 rpm and runs at about 900 at idle. Even when gaming, the CPU never goes above 65C and the GPU very rarely even hits 60. Both idle in the low 30's. Case temps stay in the 30's and 40's.
 
Last edited:

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom built
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
    Motherboard
    MSI B550-A Pro
    Memory
    16 GB Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4-3200
    Graphics Card(s)
    PowerColor Red Devil Radeon RX 6600XT with 8GB GDDR6
    Sound Card
    Realtek integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer Nitro 24" RG241Y 144hz refresh rate
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital Black SN770 1 TB NVMe SSD
    Samsung 860 QVO 1 TB SATA SSD
    Seagate Barracuda 1 TB HDD
    PSU
    LEPA B650 650 watt
    Case
    Enermax Coenus
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Hyper T4 air
    Keyboard
    CM Storm Devastator
    Mouse
    E-Blue Cobra Jr.
    Internet Speed
    100mbs
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
    Other Info
    Optical Drives: LG DVD-RW and Pioneer BluRay/ DVD burner
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus ROG Zephyrus G14
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS
    Motherboard
    Asus board (GA402RK)
    Memory
    16 GB Samsung DDR5-4800
    Graphics card(s)
    Integrated Radeon 680M and discrete Radeon RX 6800S with 8GB GDDR6
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek with Dolby Atmos
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Laptop screen 14" WQXGA, IPS, 120hz refresh rate
    Screen Resolution
    2560 X 1600
    Hard Drives
    1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD (WD Black SN850)
    PSU
    Battery power and Asus power brick/adapter. Also has USB-C charging
    Case
    Laptop
    Cooling
    Laptop fans in vapor chamber
    Mouse
    Touchpad and Omoton bluetooth mouse
    Keyboard
    Built in RGB backlit
    Internet Speed
    100mbps
    Browser
    Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
I highly recommend the Noctua NA-SYC1 Chromax Y cable. (Two 4 pin PWM fans can be controlled simultaneously via one PWM fan header; RPM speed signal of one fan is transmitted to the motherboard for monitoring) I used it for my case fans but it works for cpu fans as well. Noctua fans, coolers, and cables are the best there is. You chose well.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 +256gb ssd+512 gb usb m.2 sata
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
I highly recommend the Noctua NA-SYC1 Chromax Y cable. (Two 4 pin PWM fans can be controlled simultaneously via one PWM fan header; RPM speed signal of one fan is transmitted to the motherboard for monitoring) I used it for my case fans but it works for cpu fans as well.

I use three of these (non-Chromax version) to run 6 fans off three headers, 1 cpu and 2 sys_fan. All speed controlled based on CPU temp using Asus Q-Fan.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3374
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i7-12700F
    Motherboard
    ASUS TUF GAMING Z690-PLUS WIFI
    Memory
    G.SKILL Ripjaws S5 Series 64GB (2 x 32GB) DDR5
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce RTX 3050 XC Black Gaming
    Sound Card
    RealTek HD 7.1
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS TUF Gaming 27" 2K HDR Gaming
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 990 Pro 1TB NVMe (Win 11)
    SK hynix P41 500GB NVMe (Win 10)
    SK hynix P41 2TB NVMe (x3)
    Crucial P3 Plus 4TB
    PSU
    Corsair RM850x Shift
    Case
    Antec Dark Phantom DP502 FLUX
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-U12A chromax.black + 7 Phantek T-30's
    Keyboard
    Logitech MK 320
    Mouse
    Razer Basilisk V3
    Internet Speed
    350Mbs
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Winows Security
    Other Info
    Windows 10 22H2 19045.4170
    On System One
  • Operating System
    Win 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3374
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-11700F
    Motherboard
    Asus TUF Gaming Z590 Plus WiFi
    Memory
    64 GB DDR4
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA RTX 2060 KO Ultra Gaming
    Sound Card
    SoundBlaster X-Fi Titanium
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung F27T350
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 980 Pro 1TB
    Samsung 970 EVO Plus 2TB
    Samsung 870 EVO 500GB SSD
    PSU
    Corsair HX750
    Case
    Cougar MX330-G Window
    Cooling
    Hyper 212 EVO
    Internet Speed
    350Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Security
I don't get the big deal with not having task manager as a right click option on the taskbar. What's wrong with right clicking the Start button? Do that and there it is. Or even use the Win-X shortcut.
Some people are very complacent. I get very upset when supermarkets change the aisles where they have their products. They only do it as a trick to get people into compulsive buying.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Canary Channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    PowerSpec B746
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-10700K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z490 Phantom Gaming 4/ax
    Memory
    16GB (8GB PC4-19200 DDR4 SDRAM x2)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 TI
    Sound Card
    Realtek Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SAM0A87 Samsung SAM0D32
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    NVMe WDC WDS100T2B0C-00PXH0 1TB
    Samsung SSD 860 EVO 1TB
    PSU
    750 Watts (62.5A)
    Case
    PowerSpec/Lian Li ATX 205
    Keyboard
    Logitech K270
    Mouse
    Logitech M185
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge and Firefox
    Antivirus
    ESET Internet Security
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Canary Channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    PowerSpec G156
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-8400 CPU @ 2.80GHz
    Motherboard
    AsusTeK Prime B360M-S
    Memory
    16 MB DDR 4-2666
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Speptre HDMI 75Hz
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 EVO 500GB NVMe
    Mouse
    Logitek M185
    Keyboard
    Logitek K270
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge and Edge Canary
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender

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