1 SYS_FAN on mobo for 3 fans

sarasin · Nov 19, 2017

Hi.
I built a mITX gaming rig a few months back, but it seems my FD Node 304 just doesn't provide enought airflow for the MSI RX 580 to keep cool (when I removed the side dust filter, everything is ok).

So I've decided to buy a new cabinet, and I am considering both the FD Nano S and the FD Mini C (thoughts?). In order to not be extremely disappointed (again) I will also change the fans in the cabinet to both keep the sound level down, but obviously also to keep temps down. in Either cabinet, I will end up with two 140mm intake fans in front, and one 120mm exhaust in the back. I am considering Noctua NF-A14 PWM in front and NF-S12A PWM in the back (feel free to recommend other fans if they are more suitable).

I opted for PWM-fans both since the mobo has a 4-pin connector, but as far as I've understood, then the fans will be automatically controlled by temperature, without any hassle from Speedfan etc. (Again - feel free to correct me if I am wrong).

Anyway - My mobo (MSI H270I Gaming Pro AC, Socket-1151) has 1 4-pin CPU_FAN, and 1 4-pin SYS_FAN. So my question is how do I connect the 3 fans? I see the Noctua fans come with Y-splitters, but can I connect a Y-splitter to a Y-splitter that is connected to the SYS_FAN? Will it affect the performance of the fans? Are there any other issues I should be aware of?

Oh - and will this fan setup be good enough for a silent and cool build?

rocktalkrock · Nov 19, 2017

I'm not sure what you can do other than Y-splitters. These are just the limitations of small ITX motherboards, fewer numbers of everything, you can't get around it.

sarasin · Nov 19, 2017

Will this be a solution for me, or will it be overkill / unnecessary? (http://silverstonetek.com/product.php?pid=526&area=en)

Asking again - Am I right to assume that PWM-managed fans will be controlled automatically through Temperature? If so - Will it work with the hub listed?

Sorry for being a moron when it comes to these things

rocktalkrock · Nov 19, 2017

sarasin :

Although i'm not familiar with this PWM fan hub it looks like it would be a good solution for you, and it's not overkill since it only costs around $15 USD. The product page you posted has links to 3 reviews of the item under the PRODUCT REVIEWS tab.

To connect it you just need;
1 available PWM 4pin connector on your motherboard
1 available SATA power connector on your PSU

Take a look at the short video review on Linus Tech Tips titled "Handy Tech Under $100 - Ep. 14". Jump ahead to the 2:02 minute mark.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLTnDhUVxsU&feature=youtu.be

sarasin · Nov 19, 2017

I appreciate your efforts

I just keep feeling so unsure when it comes to ordering stuff I don't have full control over

Anyway - feel like explaing PWM for me and how the fan speed is adjusted?

sarasin · Nov 19, 2017

Oh and by the way - are the fans I have looked at ok for temps and noise? I'd obviously like the rig to be superquiet as well as cool

Are Corsair fans better than Noctua? I ask, because I really dislike the colors on the Noctua Fans

Zerk2012 · Nov 19, 2017

Get the FD Mini C if you get the Nano S your video card will be about a 1/4 inch from the power supply.
For the fans yes you can hook all 3 up to the one system fan header.
Remember the motherboard will increase the speed according to the board temperature not the video card.

sarasin · Nov 19, 2017

With Y + Y-splitter, or the hub I listed?

Zerk2012 · Nov 19, 2017

3 on one header will not hurt it.
The fans will run faster according to the motherboard temp not the video card.

rocktalkrock · Nov 19, 2017

sarasin :

You don't need to worry about ordering items like this on Amazon, they'll take anything back if your not happy with it for any reason, no questions asked.

I think your asking how you will control the fans once they are installed. If so, it would be with a software app in Windows that MSI provides. [i think MSI's app is called COMMAND CENTER] You could also control them in the UEFI bios.

sarasin · Nov 19, 2017

Well - I don't want anything to do with fan control - I would like the computer itself (mobo) to decide what speeds are necessary. I just don't know how this works

Obviously I'd like my rig to be quiet, but at the same time I need it to keep cool. That's what I thought PWM did?

rocktalkrock · Nov 19, 2017

sarasin :

The difference between a 3pin fan header and a 4pin is, the 3pin just provides power to the fan, a 4pin header also send information back and forth between the fan and the software computer.

You don't need to use the software, it's just giving you options if you want to change the way the fans behave. The fan controls would have a default setting which you could leave as is.

sarasin · Nov 19, 2017

So - if I understand this correctly - with 2x140mm intake fans and 1x120mm exhaust fan, the fan envirement will be good enough to cool off the setupin the Mini C. With all 3 fans being PWM-managed from the mobo, through a Y-splitter on a Y-splitter on the single SYS_FAN, the fans will regulated by temp on the mobo. I expect when the GPU gets warmer, the mobo will as well, and then the fans will spin up a tad to regulate the temps.

So - the only question left to answer is what fans to buy (except for them being PWM)? Being quiet and moving a lot of air.

rocktalkrock · Nov 19, 2017

sarasin :

There are an endless number available, you'll just have to look on sites like Newegg and choose one you like. Look at the Customer Reviews for each one and see if they have a lot of positive reviews or not. If you want more information about the product, read the reviews.

sarasin · Nov 19, 2017

Ideas keep popping into my head. Seeing as a Y + Y-splitter on the same header might not be optimal, how about if I use one Y-splitter on the CPU_FAN and one on the SYS_FAN?

And IF this is a possibility, which of the fans should be connected to the CPU_FAN header (I have a Noctua NH-U12S CPU-cooler)? Top front (140mm), lower front (140mm) or 120mm exhaust?

rocktalkrock · Nov 19, 2017

sarasin :

It sounds like something you could do, but might not want to. The power and signal coming from the CPU_Fan header are dictated by the temperature of the CPU, so the speed of any case fan split off from the CPU_Fan header would be spinning at the same speed as the CPU cooler. That might be too loud.

sarasin · Nov 19, 2017

And again I found something new

Will this be safe to use? (https://www.wish.com/c/5937d18e9362976f85431d0a)

*** If you can't/won't login to wish.com - here's the item: https://imgur.com/a/gNOnp ***

Seems like a 4-pin PWM "trident" splitter at literally no cost. Feeling sceptical, to say the least.

Oh - and I found the new Noctua fans! (http://noctua.at/en/nf-a14-pwm-chromax-black-swap), so colors should never again be a problem with Noctua fans

rocktalkrock · Nov 19, 2017

sarasin :

I can't look at that wish.com link, it's asking me to signup before it will let me view the item.

sarasin · Nov 19, 2017

Check out the pic @ https://imgur.com/a/gNOnp - it's a prntscr of the thing

rocktalkrock · Nov 19, 2017

sarasin :

I couldn't say if it's too good to be true or not, what does the "Ratings" tab say?

sarasin · Nov 19, 2017

Doesn't really say anything under ratings. Anyway - it's priced at approximately $1, so I think I'll give it a go - I'll test it in another computer

No worries connecting 3-pin fans to 4-pin PWM connector? Other than the fans running at 100%, I mean

1 SYS_FAN on mobo for 3 fans

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