Where to plug case fans on motherboard?

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Linnaeus

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Mar 8, 2014
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I have the NZXT H440 but I'm not going to use the included fan hub since it runs all fans at max voltage and that I want to control fan RPM. I'm planning to use the included FN V2 3x120mm front intake and 1x140mm back exhaust and planning to buy two of these Phanteks 140mm for top exhaust.

Not sure if this will help but here is a legend map of my motherboard. Was hoping someone could direct me in where I should put the fans. I can provide a bit more information if needed. Also I was wondering if my motherboard can support six fans.
 
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CPU fan is generally PWM controlled to adjust fan speed based on CPU temperature, and this control comes from the motherboard CPU fan header.
Case fans are generally 3 pin fans with no PWM control. You can slow them down by under-volting them, but a motherboard won't do this for you. Motherboards generally have 2 or 3 fan headers for this, but they will operate at 12V constantly.

In cases with a lot of fans, these will generally be powered directly from the power supply via molex to fan power adapters which are often included with the case (maybe this is the "fan hub" you are referring to in your case).

Bitfenix make some nice cables that use the 0V, +5V and +12V pins of the molex adapter to give you an output of +12V, +7V or +5V for...
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VincentP

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Oct 18, 2013
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CPU fan is generally PWM controlled to adjust fan speed based on CPU temperature, and this control comes from the motherboard CPU fan header.
Case fans are generally 3 pin fans with no PWM control. You can slow them down by under-volting them, but a motherboard won't do this for you. Motherboards generally have 2 or 3 fan headers for this, but they will operate at 12V constantly.

In cases with a lot of fans, these will generally be powered directly from the power supply via molex to fan power adapters which are often included with the case (maybe this is the "fan hub" you are referring to in your case).

Bitfenix make some nice cables that use the 0V, +5V and +12V pins of the molex adapter to give you an output of +12V, +7V or +5V for the fans. Starting voltage is usually around 5V, so the +7V cable can be a neat way of under-volting most fans. These cables can power up to 3 fans off a single molex plug and come in different colors.
"Molex to 3 fan adapter 7V"
http://www.bitfenix.com/global/en/products/premium-modding/alchemy-cables/

If you want more granular control than this, you are looking at a fan controller. This will also be powered off a molex connector and then power multiple fans, but you can adjust the speed with a knob. Some of these are internal to the case or some mount in a 3.5" drive bay or expansion slot for external access.

 
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