How to connect case fans (w/ 4 pin connectors) to motherboard - Gigabyte B150M-DS3H

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Big Swifty

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Jul 13, 2016
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First time build, total n00b. Everything was easier than I thought, even though it´s a simple build:

In addition to the motherboard I installed:

i5-6500 processor
2TB Seagate HDD
1x8GB DDR4 memory
Seasonic S12II 520W PSU
will be adding Samsung EVO 850 250GB SSD
All placed in a Cooler Master N200 case with front and back 120mm XtraFlo fans

Each fan has 4 pin connectors - one male, one female. I can connect them to the PSU using the male part of the connector from the fan to connect to the female part of the ´Peripheral 4P' cable from the PSU.

I´m not seeing any place on the motherboard to connect even one of the two fans. Am I missing something? Do I just need to get a fan controller where I can connect at minimum the two fans that came with the case. Any recomendations for something basic that´ll get the job done. I don´t think the system will run that hot, but it´s my first build (and PC) coming over from a MacBook. I live in a permanent spring, high desert climate that rarely gets over 70F/20C degrees.

Haven´t powered it on yet. I´ve read the motherboard won´t boot unless a monitor is attached and I´m still waiting for that to arrive. Will have the family friend computer expert give everything a once over and help me set up Windows, but so far everything has been easier than I thought. Much thanks to the this forum for helping me out along the way.
 
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JamesSneed

JamesSneed

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Oct 26, 2009
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Both of the fan headers on your MB are 4 pin PWM so they should work fine. You can use a "pwm fan splitter" if you want to control the speed of them via the MB instead of a controller. like: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA9KW43P1010&cm_re=pwm_fan_splitter-_-12-162-026-_-Product

Some builds I have run the exhaust and CPU fan off the CPU header on the motherboard and then the other intake fans of the case fan.

If you use a splitter you do have to worry about amp draw on each fan header but those two 120mm fans are pretty low amps so there isn't much concern.
 
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Acapella

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That motherboard only has two fan slots. One for your CPU fan, and then another expansion fan right next to the 8-pin CPU power. So you'll only be able to plug one fan into the motherboard. But you can power the second from your power supply instead. Or both. They do not have to be plugged into your motherboard.
 
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George Mulligan

George Mulligan

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Sep 20, 2014
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Your motherboard has 1 system fan header (and 1 cpu fan header). It is 4-pin and marked on the motherboard as SYS_FAN. You can only plug in one fan (other motherboards have multiple system/case fan headers) into this motherboard, however you can buy and install a splitter cable (make sure it is also 4-pin). The fan header on the motherboard will likely support up to 1 Amp of power, and your fans appear to use less than 0.4 Amps each. Double check this to be sure you stay below 1 Amp total. If you use the splitter cable, the speed of both fans will be controlled together (not independently).
 
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geofelt

geofelt

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If the front fans have white molex connectors, they can connect to the psu and will run at full speed.
If they have3 or 4 pin motherboard connectors, they can be connected to the motherboard and will have motherboard speed control. some fans will have both and you can use either.
Usually you will have at least one extra 3/4 pin location.


as a first timer, carefully check that the stock cooler was mounted well. It should not wiggle if you nudge it.
Looking at the back of the motherboard you should see all 4pushpins through and locked.
 
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Big Swifty

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Got the CPU fan (which is nice and tightly secured, pins sticking out the back, no wiggle) plugged into where it says CPU fan. Just noticed the four pin SYS fan, which is four male pins. Problem is the pins on the MB are narrower/take up less space than the 4 pin connectors attached to the fans.

The cable from the fan has a connctor that eventually splits the cable off into two seperate cables - one with the 4 pin male, the other 4 pin female. If I disconnect this, the shorter part of the cable that connects to the fan is smaller and square shaped, but only has three holes. It looks to be about the same size, but since there are only 3 holes and 4 pins on the MB I´m hesitant.

Judging by the photo, the splitter that was linked to by JamesSneed upthread looks to be about the right size and right connections.
 
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