This is not a linux specific question.

I just love this board so much that I figured why not ask you guys first b4 going elsewhere.

Here's the deal... I keep my pc in my bedroom. I'd love to leave the thing on however in the absence of all other ambient noise my PC is too loud to sleep with. So obviously I have to look at fan speed control methods as all the fans (including my fscking $70 psu) are as quiet as I can get them... commercially speaking.

It looks like they're beginning to put psu's on the market (the psu is still the loudest fan in my machine) that provide some level of fan speed control.

I've recently started looking at the DigitalDoc5 as a possible purchase. However I would like to have some sort of external monitor (like the digidoc) that can monitor temperature and fan speed (including the psu fan) and could preferably be able to pull temps like cpu temp from the mobo sensors instead of having to run my own.

Am I wishfully thinking or are there currently commercial products on the market that can provide this kind of capability?

thanks for any help,
jpbarto

This may not be exactly what you're asking for, but FWIW...

I have an Antec True Power 380 psu and it is SILENT. Tom's Hardware did a review of a bunch of psu's, rating them for the power they actually put out and their noise levels. This one is one of the best.
I don't know what kind of cpu/mobo you have but I'm using a Speeze (sometimes it's listed as 'Spire') "Falcon Rock 2" hsf. It is the coolest, quietest hsf I've ever used. 26 dBA and my processor runs at 95-101 Farenheit. Newegg.com sells them for under $15.
I also put in some Zalman 2-speed 80mm case fans. Running in silent mode they're... silent.

I don't have any monitoring software like you're asking about. But I've checked the case and cpu temps often enough through BIOS that I'm satisfied everything is running safely. And I have to put my ear to the case to hear anything from it.

HTH,
Siri Amrit

thanks for the info. I pulled the psu from my case last night to isolate its fans and the fans in the psu are REALLY quiet (I think its a Q Power psu or something... I forget). I thought they were the noisy culprit. Now I'm thinking the CPU's fan is the problem. Its the stock P4 fan ... been looking at the latest from zalman ... (the 7000) looks to be a really good hsf. (advertised at 20db but I read a review that marked it at 47 under load). I'll check out your suggestion over at newegg.

thanks again for the help.

This little puppy from Nexfan is probably the kind of thing you are looking for. You wont be able to pull temps off of the onboard mobo sensors, but you can run your own sensors (that come with the piece of hardware) and monitor up to 8 different temps and control 8 diff fan speeds. This is also a possibility, but it is only to control fan speeds, and doesn't have any temp sensors (it looks damn cool though).

As for adjusting the fan speed of your PSU, If you're good with wiring it would be easy enough to splice a pot in between the lead wire on the PSU fan. If you're not comfortable doing something like this, then I don't know of any aftermarket stuff made specifically for that.

slight

slightcrazed the first link you posted is to the DigitalDoc5. I've been eyeing it up for a few days now and I'm really beginning to think its a purchase to make.

The other decision to make is what fan + hs to replace the stock P4. (and possibly the northbridge heatsink).

thanks again to all for the ideas.

if anyone's interested after I get the digitaldoc5 up and running I'll come back with a review... it looks like a promising piece of equipment; it even monitors voltages!?

If you want cool and quite, then I highly recommend one of these. Probably the quietest P4 cooler on the market, and one of the best. If you have an open glass case, these things look damn cool too.

slight

I am looking for a software program that will run on Mandrake Linux 10.1, aka Mandriva, for controlling a PC's fan, and reading the temp sensor data. There are numerous sensors, apparently, on some computers which can be very helpful in determining when the fan should be turned on, and how much speed to use. This would have been a GREAT help on WinXP before it basicaly killed itself from overheating. I really hope ML has this ability built in, but I don't know yet since I'm still installing it. Just want to cover all angles ASAP. Don't want another burn out.

Krepta.