4pin cpu fan connector vs 4pin chassis fan connector

juman231

Prominent
Jun 19, 2017
2
0
510
Hello everyone,

I know the question regarding 3 pin vs 4 pin has been asked and answered numerous times, but I wasn't able to find an answer to my question as in the topic.

My motherboard spec says that I have one 4-pin cpu fan connector, and four 4-pin chassis fan connectors.

Now my CPU temperature is on the high side, so I was looking to buy a cpu fan/heatsink that has 2 fans.

I am aware that 4-pin connectors are PWM that allows motherboard to control fan speed depending on temperature. But I just want to make sure if there is zero difference between the 4-pin cpu fan connector and 4-pin chassis fan connector( in which case I can simply use one of the chassis fan connector to connect my second cpu fan) or if there are significant differences that would require using a splitter on the only 4-pin cpu fan connector on my motherboard.

Thanks in advance for your help.
 
Solution
Hi
Pwm fans are controlled by a temperature sensor which in the case of the CPU is placed on or near the CPU,and the case fan sensor measures the general air temperature.
So if you plug a cpu fan into a case fan connector then it will react to changes in the air temperature inside the case and not the temperature of the CPU.

makkem

Distinguished
Hi
Pwm fans are controlled by a temperature sensor which in the case of the CPU is placed on or near the CPU,and the case fan sensor measures the general air temperature.
So if you plug a cpu fan into a case fan connector then it will react to changes in the air temperature inside the case and not the temperature of the CPU.
 
Solution
If you buy a cooler Pre fitted with 2 fans then they normally come with a splitter included to plug to a lone cpu-fan header.
You absolutely can use a chassis fan connector for a second CPU fan if it doesn't , they will generally run at different speeds though.

Twin fan coolers honestly don't run that much cooler than a good single fan , push/pull normally drops 2-3c at the absolute max.

Post your setup including motherboard , CPU & case & you'll get some recommendations on a good cooler to buy.
 

juman231

Prominent
Jun 19, 2017
2
0
510
Thanks everyone. I think I got my answer! Will be using a splitter that will come with the cpu cooler. @madmatt30 thx for the offer but my system is pretty old with AMD fm2 cpu set up. The fan I ordered was among the few that was compatible with my cpu.