EVGA X299 Micro ATX 2 Installation Manual page 89

EVGA X299 Micro ATX 2 (121-SX-E296)
Once into the H/W Monitor section, you can see the temperature monitors across the
top. Below the monitors are the two PWM fans - CPU1_FAN and CPU2_FAN - and
PWR_FAN (which connects to the VRM heatsink). Each fan is set to "Smart," which
means the PWM controller uses a Smart curve for fan controls. To set a Smart curve,
please see the guide starting at the top of the next page. The +/- buttons next to Smart
allow you to set your fans at a static speed percentage, instead of a curve. If you set the
speed too low, however, the fan may stall; the stall speed will vary from fan to fan.
Note: If using an AIO CPU liquid cooler, such as the EVGA CLC Coolers, it is
recommended to connect this to a CPU header, and set the speed to MAX. If
left on SMART or lower than MAX, the cooler may not be recognized properly
by the operating system or its software may not function properly.
Below the fans, you will see the three (3) DC/PWM fans: SYS_FAN, CHA_FAN, and
AUX_FAN. These fans can only be set to a static speed percentage. Again, if you set the
speed too low, however, the fan may stall; the stall speed will vary from fan to fan.
The X299 MICRO ATX 2 fan controller auto-detects whether each fan connected to
the DC/PWM headers are controlled by DC or PWM, and sets the control mode
accordingly. DC fans are controlled entirely by reducing the amount of current provided
to the fan, based on the static percentage set in the BIOS and the fan's maximum speed
and power. PWM fans are controlled by a PWM signal, which constantly pulses speed
instructions to the fan based on the static percentage set in the BIOS and the fan's
maximum speed; this permits the fan to run with sufficient power - even at low speeds -
to avoid a stall. PWM mode is necessary if you are running a PWM fan powered by a
different connector, such as a molex, SATA, or 3-pin header not on the motherboard.
Note: If you do not attach a fan prior to power on, the fan may run in DC mode at
100% or behave erratically, regardless of the static percentage set in BIOS.
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