Case Fans Installation

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bananacue

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I would like to add 3 more case fans to my build. The 2 MOBO system fans are already occupied. What is the best route for this addition?

1. Should I get a fan controller and install all my fans to it.
2. Should I get a connector and plug-in to PSU
3. Should I occupy every single plug including CPUFAN2?

What are the advantage and disadvantage of each one? Thanks so much for all your advice.


 
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You could probably get away with using mobo ports for 3 more fans this way, if you want to:

1. Do NOT plug a case fan into CPU_FAN2. This port will vary the fan speed according the the internal CPU chip temperature, exactly as your current CPU fan is controlled.
2. IF your mobo has a fan port labelled PWR_FAN, it is intended as a way for the mobo to check on the speed of the fan inside the PSU, but it does not actually control that fan. However, on many mobos this port also has full 12 VDC power in Pins 1 and 2, so you can connect any standard 3-pin or 4-pin case fan to it, and that fan will run at full speed all the time. Basically, this is the same as plugging that fan into a 4-pin Molex connector direct from the PSU; the only...
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I personally, would recommend installing a fan controller. Its very useful for controlling the airflow through out your system.
 
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bananacue

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If i install a fan controller.. what is a reliable brand? I need a brand that can control up to 5 fans. I understand Noctua is very quiet and reliable. but.. what is my alternative? Thanks again.
 
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http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811998100&cm_re=fan_speed_controller-_-11-998-100-_-Product

This is what I installed in my first build and didn't find it very useful. Now all my fans run at full rated RPMs for max air flow. The fans controller does look nice in front of the case, but other than that it doesn't do much. Nice window dressing!

Try the fans at full speed for a couple of weeks, then decide whether you would like to install a speed controller.

If you have to have a fans speed controller, consider this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811992004&cm_re=fan_speed_controller-_-11-992-004-_-Product

It does occupy two front bays.
 
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Paperdoc

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You could probably get away with using mobo ports for 3 more fans this way, if you want to:

1. Do NOT plug a case fan into CPU_FAN2. This port will vary the fan speed according the the internal CPU chip temperature, exactly as your current CPU fan is controlled.
2. IF your mobo has a fan port labelled PWR_FAN, it is intended as a way for the mobo to check on the speed of the fan inside the PSU, but it does not actually control that fan. However, on many mobos this port also has full 12 VDC power in Pins 1 and 2, so you can connect any standard 3-pin or 4-pin case fan to it, and that fan will run at full speed all the time. Basically, this is the same as plugging that fan into a 4-pin Molex connector direct from the PSU; the only difference is you don't need a wiring adapter.
3. This last trick depends on the fact that almost all mobo fan ports can actually power up to TWO case fans at once, but not more. So, search out and buy a couple of adapters that turn one mobo fan port into two connectors. Put one on each of your mobo case fan ports, and hook up two of the new fans along with your two older ones that are already on these ports. That will put all those fans under mobo speed control.
 
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bananacue

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I heard about a connectors that can power up 2 fans at the same time but not sure if that exists. Since this is true, I will stop by at local micro center or Fry's her and buy that connectors. Thank so much for that advice..
 
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Paperdoc

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This is one example of what I mean. I don't know what case fan port types you have on your mobo, so this one is designed for 4-pin fans. It will work just fine for either 4-pin fans on a 4-pin port, or for 3-pin fans on a 3-pin port. The design is such that it can fit either type of port and fan, physically and electrically.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812200991&cm_re=4-pin_fan_splitter_cable-_-12-200-991-_-Product

I would suggest that if you get this, make on change. It has one female connector to the mobo port, and 2 male connectors to the fans. On ONE of the male connectors, cut the YELLOW wire for Pin #3.
This is the wire that carries the motor-generated pulse signal for speed back to the mobo. In my opinion, sending two unsynchronized pulse signals back will confuse the mobo's pulse counting circuits and create bad speed readings. You only need one fan's speed signal to go back. The other fan's speed simply is not monitored. If you happen to find a similar splitter that already has a Pin 3 wire for only ONE of the two fans, so much the better.

If your mobo has 3-pin ports and you are using 3-pin fans, here is a 3-pin splitter cable that is done right - only one fan connector has the yellow wire to Pin 3.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA3XT1D86510&cm_re=3-pin_fan_splitter_cable-_-9SIA3XT1D86510-_-Product
 
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Paperdoc

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I see in that mobo's manual that it has THREE SYS_FAN ports - one is 4-pin, the other 2 are 3-pin. It has no PWR_FAN port. All can be adjusted within BIOS Setup in the System Monitor page.

How you do this depends on what fans you already have connected to which ports. Let's suppose for now that you have two 3-pin fans connected to 3-pin mobo SYS_FAN ports. By buying two 3-pin fan splitters you could make each of those ports run two fans, so that adds two fans for you. To add a third fan, buy a 4-pin fan and connect it to the 4-pin SYS_FAN port. Although there is some forward and backward compatibility in the 3-pin and 4-pin fan systems, it is always best to connect 3-pin fans to 3-pin ports, and 4-pin fans to 4-pin ports.
 
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bananacue

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No wonder I cannot get the actual reading of one my case fans. It seems that it was hook-up to the wrong pin. I will definitely open the case and check each connections. Appreciate your assistance Sir!
 
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