Will this fan set up work

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
C

Componentgirl90

Distinguished
Jan 9, 2015
538
2
19,015
I have an Asus z97-A wifi ac mobo which has four 4 pin headers to connect to chassis case fans.

I want to connect 5 of these 3 pin fans to the motherboard:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00F6S13DE/ref=pd_sim_147_6?ie=UTF8&refRID=0JCW3TMGKRW3GAX1FH77

With this cable:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Akasa-AK-CBFA04-15-Splitter-Cable-Fans/dp/B005FWXWPS/ref=pd_bxgy_147_img_y

I am assuming it will work as the asus mobo takes 3 pins fans into its 4 pin mobo connectors. But the cable is a 4 pin cable....confusing to me, but I am guessing it should work, just wanted to check.


I was also wondering if someone could recommend a single cable to add to the splitter cable for the fifth fan.
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
geofelt

geofelt

Titan
Oct 9, 2006
54,277
4,134
174,240
The main value of motherboard fan headers is to allow speed control of the attached fans.
If you use a splitter, the two speed sensors will confuse the motherboard unless you disable(cut) one of the sensing wires.
Then both fans will be controlled by the one with the active sensor.

A 4 pin header accommodates a 4 pin PWM(pulse width modulation) fan.
The speed is controlled by the frequency of voltage pulses.
A 3 pin fan is controlled by adjusting the fan voltage. Modern motherboards can detect that you have a 3 pin fan in a 4 pin header and act accordingly.

Your solution will leave three fans speed controlled, and the dual attached fans will both be controlled to the same speed,

Now..... Why in the world do you think you need so many fans?
They add noise and expense.
You should be able to get sufficient airflow for most rigs with two front intake 120mm fans and perhaps a single exhaust fan.

FWIW, I find a constant fan speed to be less intrusive than a constantly changing sound.
CPU and graphics cards can tolerate a fair amount of heat.
I just let them get a bit hotter under load.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
C

Componentgirl90

Distinguished
Jan 9, 2015
538
2
19,015
Thanks guys for your answers.

@ jakegroves - I'll look into this, never heard of molex cables before, not sure if that will allow control of fan rotation?

@ Sapphire Thunder - If I was using a 3 pin wire, I have also read that 3 pins can connect to a 4 pin slot. So thanks for this. But its just the fact that the splitter cable I cited has a 4 pin header. it is a 3 pin fan, a 4 pin cable, to a 4 pin mobo slot. I am just double checking that the wire will work as if it were a 3 pin cable.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
jakegroves

jakegroves

Reputable
Jan 31, 2015
444
0
4,960
@componentgirl90 true that but you can change voltage of fans to control ... you can also get a fan controller that accepts 4pin molex and that'll let you control your fans. You will have numerous molex's coming out from your PSU just look at your cable management in your system and all you do is plug it the desired one you wish and it will power up.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
C

Componentgirl90

Distinguished
Jan 9, 2015
538
2
19,015
@ geofelt - thanks for this detailed answer - I will be forced to use a splitter if I have five fans. I may use one or two splitter cables and then 3 or 1 normal cables. I never actually thought about the noise and didn't really think they would add much cost.

The PC is in a hot attic room. It also has a graphics card which has one of the fans failing occasionally and therefore wanted to make sure the airflow was constant over it. I also liked the idea of the LEDs.

Do fans cost a lot and will the noise be very loud?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
geofelt

geofelt

Titan
Oct 9, 2006
54,277
4,134
174,240
Exactly what case, cpu and graphics card do you have?
What cpu cooler?

As to fans, if you are on a budget, look into Yate loon fans.
Good quality and cheap. Perhaps £5

All fans will come with a nominal rpm at full 12v input. The higher the rating, the more airflos and consequent noise.
A fan controller can only reduce speed, but not increase it.
If a fan input voltage is less than 5v or so, it will not start.

Some fans will be 4 pin pwm, some 3 pin analog, and some 3 pin fans will also have a 4 pin molex attachment meant for direct connection to the power supply.

Again, if your case supports two 120mm or larger front intake fans, you hardly need more.

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
jakegroves

jakegroves

Reputable
Jan 31, 2015
444
0
4,960
@componentgirl90 if one of your fans keep failing, that is a sign of not enough power not heat. Use openhardwaremonitor and afterburner to monitor your temps of pc and control GPU.

Fans are reasonable price, i recently replaced my intake fans with these: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Aerocool-Dead-Silence-12cm-Material/dp/B00GK9M4PY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1432823830&sr=8-3
These, come with rubber grommets to stop vibration when in the case and they are incredibly quiet. Best fans i have owned for a long time.
only £14. Do not buy cheap fans as it is something that better quality, the better performance to sound ratio. Do your research via looking at reviews on fans. These ones can come with different colours, and have LEDs.
2 intakes at the front and 1 exhaust is ideal. If you want to provide more airflow to your GPU, install a fan at bottom of the case if you have it, or on the side. On fans you get arrows to indicate where the air will be directed, make sure you pay attention to them ;)
Ideal rig can live with just 2 fans, if it is set up well
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
C

Componentgirl90

Distinguished
Jan 9, 2015
538
2
19,015
Corsair Spec 01, i5 4690k stock cooler stock clock (but will be overclocking at some point with aftermarket cooler), MSI R9 270 Gaming OC.

I'll probably go for those LED fans. I'd like to go for 140 mm but its £21 for two of them or £13 for two 120mm. I might go for three as you have suggested as it would reduce clutter in the case as well.

Thanks for all this info, I think I didnt make my main question obvious though, which was: if that 4 pin splitter cable will connect the 3 pin fan with the 4 pin mobo. I am guessing it will just act as if it were a 3 pin cable.

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
C

Componentgirl90

Distinguished
Jan 9, 2015
538
2
19,015
@ jakegroves - I think its just getting stuck or something. It just stops once in a while. I give it a spin while its off and then hey presto it spins for another couple of weeks without any problems. I RMAed it and there was nothin wrong. They offered to RMA again but I will just leave it I think. I use techpowerup to monitor the temps and they are ok, it also tells me if fan is spinning and I can also see it through the side of the case.

I will take a look at those fans. I think I may just opt for 2 front intake and 1 outtake. Should provide some airflow over the GPU that way.

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
jakegroves

jakegroves

Reputable
Jan 31, 2015
444
0
4,960


ah i see yer it would fit :) be careful with your fans tho! also consider a GPU upgrade, your gpu is bottlenecking your performance your cpu is good for much higher performing cards ;) seeming as you have heat issues, consider a watercooler for your cpu, looks nice, and gives amazing temps.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Corsair-Hydro-All--Liquid-Cooler/dp/B009VV56TY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1432824752&sr=8-1
but yer i've digressed again. Good luck with your system :)
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
geofelt

geofelt

Titan
Oct 9, 2006
54,277
4,134
174,240
I like the case. It comes with one 120mm fan mounted in front.
My suggestion is to relocate the 120mm to the rear as exhaust to direct the airflow.
In front, use two 140mm fans as intake. That is all.
140mm fans push more air than 120mm and do so at reduced speed and noise.
If red led is important to you, here is one fan:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/367/dp/B0047TXCQ4/ref=sr_1_3?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1432824753&sr=1-3&keywords=yate+loon+140mm

Personally, I would use normal black ones at half the price:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Yate-Loon-Case-D14SM-12-Black/dp/B000S1Q1OA/ref=sr_1_4?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1432824753&sr=1-4&keywords=yate+loon+140mm

Note that the second has a higher cfm rating, but at higher noise.
There are all sorts of combinations so look for other options.

One big advantage of using strong front intake is that the intake air can be filtered, and that keeps your parts free from dust.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
C

Componentgirl90

Distinguished
Jan 9, 2015
538
2
19,015
I also am not sure what cable to use to connect one 3 pin fan to one motherboard 4 pin connector. Would anyone have an example of a cable that should be used for this purpose? I cant seem to find an example.

@geofelt - I might do that actually since the I have a dusty room.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
jakegroves

jakegroves

Reputable
Jan 31, 2015
444
0
4,960


ahh the 4pin headers on motherboard can fit a 3pin fan, the extra pin is if you have a 4pin fan which would control it's speed, a "PWM" pin. So if you plug in a 3pin to your 4pin header, it will work just as a normal fan, just have to use the voltage to control fans, or if you got an asus motherboard i know they have 'fan xpert' software uc an download to control fans. Dunno about MSI or gigabyte.
image below to help describe i hope ...
Mi4gAZ8.png

i hope i understodo you correctly .. ?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
C

Componentgirl90

Distinguished
Jan 9, 2015
538
2
19,015
nice diagram! Yes exactly but I think the fan I originally posted was a 3 pin fan without any cables included. so I have to buy a cable. I have a mobo with 4 pin connections. So if I bought a cable with 3 pins, to plug in to the fan which is 3 pins, then as your diagram shows, it will work with the 4th pin not connected. However, the cable I wanted to buy is has 4 sockets, just wondered if it will work as if it is 3 pin cable.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Akasa-AK-CBFA04-15-Splitter-Cable-Fans/dp/B005FWXWPS/ref=pd_bxgy_147_img_y
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
jakegroves

jakegroves

Reputable
Jan 31, 2015
444
0
4,960
@componentgirl90 of course! the 4th pin is just for PWM it will work perfectly fine. I have never used a splitter cable, as i got a fan controller, you just won't be able to control the speed of fans if i am correct. Hope that helps! Also ... i am sure you know this but consider buying a can full of compressed air and an anti-static brush and clean out yourheatsinks and fans and get rid of dust in system, it will help alot ... i say this because i notice you said you got a dusty room ;)
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
C

Componentgirl90

Distinguished
Jan 9, 2015
538
2
19,015
Ok great. Yes I got all that stuff indeed! I actually keep looking on amazon but I can't find the or don't know what to look for the non-splitter version of the same cable. I can't seem to find a cable that will connect one fan to one motherboard socket.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom