3-pin MOBO fan header? :::::

[househead]

Was wondering where is this located on most mobo's?

and usually how many of them are there?

can you split them to add more than one fan to the same socket?

 

[Pederv]

Most of the time there is one by the CPU and one towards the front on the bottom, some motherboards put an additional fan header up by the CPU. It's not suggested to put more than one fan on a header. Some people have monster CPU fans, so instead of using the header on the motherboard they use one of the power cords from the power supply.

 

[househead]

How many pins are they?

Can I convert a 4-pin molex into several 3-pins?:>

 

[Pederv]

There are 4 pin molex tap-offs for 3 pin fans. When I get a "boxed" fan the tap-off adaptor will usually come with. I think the local ma-n-pa computer shops seperate the adaptor from the fan so they can charge for the adaptor.

 

[SeventySeven]

For high power fans, like Deltas, your best off converting the three pin to the 4 pin Molex connector. Occasionally those 3 pin connections on the mobo will blow... Just look for something like this: 3 to 4 pin adaptor (the third pin is left out on the adaptor, because it is for speed monitoring, which isn't supported through the Molex connectors).

 

[LintMan]

I've head that about not putting Deltas on the fan header before, but I've also seen places saying the latest MB's should handle the extra power fine. I think the Deltas use around 4W - is there any way to find out what fan headers are rated for nowadays? (In particular, the Epox 8KHA+)

 

[SeventySeven]

I don't know about the power ratings on those fan headers, I do know that I used to have an MSI board with 3 fan headers... only 2 of which worked when I got rid of it. Blew one by using a splitter to power two 40mm fans.