power supply cables?

[howuncreative]

this is my first build and i have no idea how to connect these things. do i use only one cable for each component, or can i just use one cable to connect everything. my case's fan is also kind of strange:

im pretty sure that isn't the normal port. which one do i use and how does it figure out its fan speed without being directly connected to the motherboard?

 

[waylander]

Ok list of power cables...

1. 24 or 20 pin power cable to motherboard
2. 4 or 8 pin for cpu (should be top left of cpu)
3. 6 pin pci-e cable for video cards
4. 4 pin molex for hdd's, optical drives and fans (some other peripherals as well like fan controllers
5. flat black power cable to hdd's, typically those that are sata
6. 3 pin for fans

The first 3 are easy as they will only fit into one thing, you may have to use a 8 to 4 pin adaptor if your cpu takes a 4 pin and your psu comes with an 8 pin (adaptor should be included)

Newer hdd's typically use the black flat power that is right beside the sata connector, some take either the black flat one or a 4 pin (big white one). Use only one of these NOT both.

Fans:
1.If your fans only have the 4 pin molex for power then you have to connect them to the psu that way and they will run at max rpms all the time. Or you can buy a fan controller to power the fan and control the rpms.
2.If it has a 3 pin with yellow black and red wires then you can connect that to the motherboard to controll it from bios.
3.Some psu's have a special 4 pin molex where the psu can control the rpms based on heat.
4.Some fans have both the 4 pin molex and a 3 pin sensor (yellow wire only), you have to use the 4 pin molex for power and connect the 3 pin to the motherboard so that you can monitor it's rpms (don't have to connect the 3 pin if you don't want to).
5. Fans (and other peripherals) typically have both a male and female connector so that you don't lose the use of that molex to power just the fan. You can connect the 4 pin female from the psu to the fan then connect another component to the 4 pin female from the fan to power that.

 

[howuncreative]

thanks guys. i connected everything but its still super messy. i shoved the cables i didn't need into the drive bay and taped them on so they cant move anywhere.
the fan kind of worries me though. its a big 120mm fan, and if it always runs at max it might make quite a bit of noise. i guess ill wait and see if sound is an issue before i buy a fan thingy.

 

[waylander]

Just a note of caution. Don't use tape inside your case, it will dry up and peel off and possibly fly around until it gets caught in a fan (maybe your cpu fan) and cause a mess if it doesn't just stop the fan and fry your cpu.

Use zip ties or twist ties to anchor your extra cables.

Also a fan controller really helps, I have 8 fans and run them all off 2 different controllers (one is a dedicated 3 fan 2 light controller and the other is a 17 in 1 multi function panel).

Vantec Nexus 305
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813999903

Enermax UC-9FATR2
http://www.enermax.com/english/product_peripherals_detail.asp?PrID=34

 

[pengwin]

as waylander said, twist ties or zipties, personally i'd get zipties. twist ties are covered in paper, that can dry up and be a fire hazard.

 

[howuncreative]

ok, everything is tied up with zip ties. about the fan controller, can i just use this: http://www.interloper.com/products/product-details.php?productid=50620021&cat=

 

[waylander]

That will work but it will make the inside of the case even more cluttered with cables. I'd stick to a good fan controller, you can get some for $30 which isn't really that much more than two of those adaptors.