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Plugging in case fans question

Tags:
  • Management
  • molex
  • Cable
  • Connection
  • Fans
  • Components
  • Cases
Last response: in Components
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February 8, 2014 9:47:45 PM


Never mind the cable management for now. So I plugged all three pin connections associated with my case fans (I assume it doesn't matter which one goes where) my question is what is next? Do I need to connect them to the psu somehow? If so, how? Oh, and three of the four fan connections do have a 4 pin female molex attached. The rear fan doesn't. Also, there is a 4 pin molex cable with the colored wires yellow, red, and black (2x). What is that for?

Edit: if there is a better way to route the atx12v cable up to the top left, I'm all ears. It's too short to route behind the or beside the case. It currently is in the way of my cooler.

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February 8, 2014 10:53:03 PM

Yes, you need to connect all the 4-pin molex fan female sockets to corresponding 4-pin molex male connectors from your power supply. If the fans have little tiny 3-pin connectors, you can plug them into the motherboard. Usually motherboards have one socket for the CPU and a couple for case fans. They're usually labeled SYS1 and SYS2.

If you don't plug a fan into a power source, either the motherboard or the power supply, then they won't spin.
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February 8, 2014 10:56:58 PM

mbreslin1954 said:
Yes, you need to connect all the 4-pin molex fan female sockets to corresponding 4-pin molex male connectors from your power supply. If the fans have little tiny 3-pin connectors, you can plug them into the motherboard. Usually motherboards have one socket for the CPU and a couple for case fans. They're usually labeled SYS1 and SYS2.

If you don't plug a fan into a power source, either the motherboard or the power supply, then they won't spin.


So the motherboard will suffice then? That's what I'm trying to get across. I can do either a mobo or the psu and not both at once? Also I have 3 cha_fan connections and one pwr fan which I heard can double as a cha_fan connection. It doesn't matter which fan goes in which connection right? As long as they are connected to the mobo?
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February 8, 2014 11:02:05 PM

Are the molex connections in addition to the 3/4 pin connector you plugged into the motherboard?
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February 8, 2014 11:03:07 PM

kcops said:
Are the molex connections in addition to the 3/4 pin connector you plugged into the motherboard?

They share the same wiring if that's what you mean.
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February 8, 2014 11:05:49 PM

kcops said:
Are the molex connections in addition to the 3/4 pin connector you plugged into the motherboard?

This is what I mean
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February 8, 2014 11:07:26 PM

Qu9ke said:
mbreslin1954 said:
Yes, you need to connect all the 4-pin molex fan female sockets to corresponding 4-pin molex male connectors from your power supply. If the fans have little tiny 3-pin connectors, you can plug them into the motherboard. Usually motherboards have one socket for the CPU and a couple for case fans. They're usually labeled SYS1 and SYS2.

If you don't plug a fan into a power source, either the motherboard or the power supply, then they won't spin.


So the motherboard will suffice then? That's what I'm trying to get across. I can do either a mobo or the psu and not both at once? Also I have 3 cha_fan connections and one pwr fan which I heard can double as a cha_fan connection. It doesn't matter which fan goes in which connection right? As long as they are connected to the mobo?


Qu9ke said:
kcops said:
Are the molex connections in addition to the 3/4 pin connector you plugged into the motherboard?

This is what I mean


You don't need to plug those in, they will get their power from the MoBo.
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February 8, 2014 11:10:35 PM

kcops said:
Qu9ke said:
mbreslin1954 said:
Yes, you need to connect all the 4-pin molex fan female sockets to corresponding 4-pin molex male connectors from your power supply. If the fans have little tiny 3-pin connectors, you can plug them into the motherboard. Usually motherboards have one socket for the CPU and a couple for case fans. They're usually labeled SYS1 and SYS2.

If you don't plug a fan into a power source, either the motherboard or the power supply, then they won't spin.


So the motherboard will suffice then? That's what I'm trying to get across. I can do either a mobo or the psu and not both at once? Also I have 3 cha_fan connections and one pwr fan which I heard can double as a cha_fan connection. It doesn't matter which fan goes in which connection right? As long as they are connected to the mobo?


Qu9ke said:
kcops said:
Are the molex connections in addition to the 3/4 pin connector you plugged into the motherboard?

This is what I mean


You don't need to plug those in, they will get their power from the MoBo.

Excellent. Thank you. That makes me feel much better. Now if I can just get that atx12v cable in a more faborable position. Anyways. Thanks again. I tend to overanalyze and think of so many different scenarios and outcomes that I fail to see the simple things.
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February 8, 2014 11:17:31 PM

You can plug as many fans into the motherboard or the power supply as you like, or mix and match any combination. All that matters is that the fans get power, it does not matter where they get it from, with the exception of the CPU fan. That's because the BIOS usually monitors the CPU fan and may either alarm or shut down the PC if it stops.
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