Computer PSU Connector Help!

are the case fans large connectors or small 3 or 4 pin connectors?

the small connectors dont connect to the psu but to the motherboard--the large connectors are the same as older non sata hard drives and cd/dvd drives and wont let you control the fan speed

heres large connector

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/31/Molex_female_connector.jpg

heres the small one



http://www2.hardwarezone.com.my/img/data/articles/2009/2975/fan-connector.jpg

thats a low power psu--what components are you planning to run on it
 

Engima

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Case fans can have pin connectors (3/4 pin) or molex connectors (4 plugs) or both. I believe that one has 4 molex connections and 1 pin connections if I understand the wording on the website right.
 

ngoy

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Apr 23, 2009
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There is no reason to buy a whole new power supply for fans that run off of a large molex 4 pin connector, or any type for that matter. You either need splitters or adapters or both. That being said, I can't see why you are buying a 350W ps to power fans, if your system is getting that hot and you need that many fans you should be having issues powering your graphics card, not a problem powering fans.

Do you have more details on what exactly you are trying to do and what fans you are buying/bought?
 

andypearce

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I know but my problem is that I have no 4 pin connectors on my PSU as far as I can see. Are there any other components that use a 4 pin connector so that I could just use a splitter?

I have a Compaq SG3 250uk
AMD Athlon II X2 220 Processor (2.8 GHz)
4GB DDR3 RAM
And I think I have an ATI Radeon 3000 Graphics Card.

I am trying to slowly upgrade the computer which is why I thought a better PSU with more wattage would be a good idea.
 

ngoy

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Apr 23, 2009
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Hard drives, floppy drive (different smaller 4 pin connector though), etc... you can split from. I would not buy another PSU until you know for sure what other component you are going to buy. 350 watts may be adequate, or may be completely underpowered. Your next graphics card could need two 6 pin, 1 eight pin, who knows. You may need a 450watt power supply or a 600 watt one. I would recommend saving your money until you can purchase another component that will make sense to match your PS.

If this is your motherboard: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c02556928&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&product=4325599

well, don't bother spending any money. There is basically no decent upgrade path other than a new pc. Your expansion is limited to two pcie x1 slots, and the most powerful graphics card for that looks to be this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161354, a Radeon 5450.

You need to START with a new motherboard that supports your processor, which probably won't work in the case you have, and then get a new power supply, then new graphics card, etc... You are pretty much at buying a new pc by then. I've found ONE motherboard that MAY fit, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131659

Because your current mb uses SO-Dimms (laptop memory) it looks like.

Save up for a new pc.....sorry to give you the bad news.
 

andypearce

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Thats not a problem. Thank you for your help. In that case I think I'll save up some money and get a new motherboard and an Intel Core i3 Processor. I have been wanting one for awhile so I think that would be the best option for me. Thank you for your time.
 
ASRock P67 PRO3 SE LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157249R

MSI P67A-C43 (B3) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130571R

BIOSTAR TP67XE (B3) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138317R

BIOSTAR TZ68A+ LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138319R