CPU cooler and case fans

LeipeMeuteleider · Sep 23, 2015

I want to buy this CPU cooler: http://tweakers.net/pricewatch/445820/scythe-ninja-4.html
but I don't know if it will fit with the RAM modules on this motherboard: http://tweakers.net/pricewatch/457425/asus-republic-of-gamers-z170-maximus-viii-ranger/specificaties/
I want to buy four RAM modules, but there seems to be no way of knowing if the cooler will obsruct them since I cannot find the distance from the CPU to the RAM anywhere.

furthermore, can I use a 4 pin connecter to connect to 3 pins? also, does a 4-pin connector provide enough power for either 2 4 pin fans, 1 3 pin and 1 4 pin fan, or 2 3 pin fans(using a y-splitter)?

Newbbuilder11 · Sep 23, 2015

a 4 pin fan can fit on a 3 pin, it's just that the fan will run at full speed since the 4th hole is made for fan control, and a y splitter just will supply power to the fans. However im not knowledgeable in fans just yet.

Y0GI · Sep 23, 2015

LeipeMeuteleider :

1) Go to the Scythe website and lookup the distance from the base of the cooler to the bottom of the fins.
2) You do not need the distance from the CPU to the RAM. Again, go to Scythe website and check for "RAM Compatibility". If not listed, go to RAM website and check height of RAM modules. Compare to distance in step 1).

Yogi

Paperdoc · Sep 23, 2015

newbbuilder11 got it backwards, and I think that's important to OP. I think OP's question was: can he / she plug 3-pin fan into a mobo 4-pin fan port? Yes BUT it will run only at full speed. A true 4-pin port uses the PWM signal on its fourth pin to control fan speed, and a 3-pin fan cannot use that.

Two exceptions:
1. Many mobos today allow you in BIOS where you configure the CPUFAN port (for CPU cooling) to set that port to use either PWM Mode (true 4-pin fans) OR Voltage Control Mode (true 3-pin fans). So IF you are talking about the CPU cooling fans, you might be able to use this feature. Similarly, a FEW mobos also let you make the same setting for case ventilation fans fed from a CHA_FAN port, but many do not.
2. Some mobos have both 4-pin and 3-pin CHA_FAN ports, which would allow you to match fans to ports.

Now, in general, a splitter can allow you to power 2 fans (but not more) from one mobo port. Whether they are 3-pin of 4-pin does not change that. BUT the comments above apply; for example, if you mix a 3-pin and a 4-pin fan using a 4-pin splitter on a 4-pin port, the 3-pin fan will always run full speed and the 4-pin fan will be controlled. I said "in general" because most fans use about 0.10 to 0.15 amps when running, but 2 or 3 times that much for a few seconds when starting up, and most mobo fan ports have a limit of about 1 amp. BUT getting hard specs on mobo fan port limits is tough, AND there are high-power (and airflow) fans available that use so much power you cannot double them up using a splitter.

Newbbuilder11 · Sep 24, 2015

Paperdoc :

newbbuilder11 got it backwards, and I think that's important to OP. I think OP's question was: can he / she plug 3-pin fan into a mobo 4-pin fan port? Yes BUT it will run only at full speed. A true 4-pin port uses the PWM signal on its fourth pin to control fan speed, and a 3-pin fan cannot use that.

Two exceptions:
1. Many mobos today allow you in BIOS where you configure the CPUFAN port (for CPU cooling) to set that port to use either PWM Mode (true 4-pin fans) OR Voltage Control Mode (true 3-pin fans). So IF you are talking about the CPU cooling fans, you might be able to use this feature. Similarly, a FEW mobos also let you make the same setting for case ventilation fans fed from a CHA_FAN port, but many do not.
2. Some mobos have both 4-pin and 3-pin CHA_FAN ports, which would allow you to match fans to ports.

Now, in general, a splitter can allow you to power 2 fans (but not more) from one mobo port. Whether they are 3-pin of 4-pin does not change that. BUT the comments above apply; for example, if you mix a 3-pin and a 4-pin fan using a 4-pin splitter on a 4-pin port, the 3-pin fan will always run full speed and the 4-pin fan will be controlled. I said "in general" because most fans use about 0.10 to 0.15 amps when running, but 2 or 3 times that much for a few seconds when starting up, and most mobo fan ports have a limit of about 1 amp. BUT getting hard specs on mobo fan port limits is tough, AND there are high-power (and airflow) fans available that use so much power you cannot double them up using a splitter.

thanks for correcting me XD

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