Buying a fan, wtf are all the different power connections?

[aggressor]

Which one do I get? What exactly is the difference between them? I'm planning on ordering this: http://www.directron.com/92l1a.html and I need to pick a Connector option.

 

[Lord Evermore]

2-pin is a non-standard connector that may not fit on anything. Some of the Panaflo fans come with that rather than bare leads.

3-pin is the type that connects to the headers on the motherboard.

4-pin is the type coming from your power supply, that plugs into hard drives and CDROM drives. This will have a pass-through connector so that you get power to the fan, but also still have a connector to use for another device rather than losing one.

 

[aggressor]

Will the 3pin and 4pin supply the same amount of power? I.E. will the fan spin the same speed?

 

[Lord Evermore]

Yeah, they all supply 12V. However the motherboard headers can't supply as much current. For a low speed Panaflo they're okay, but you wouldn't want to connect something like a Delta high speed fan because it would burn out the headers. Most "regular" speed fans or low speed fans are fine.

 

[aggressor]

How can you tell if it's too much? I currently have 2 other 80mm fans hooked up (Panaflos, L1As I think) to the motherboard. Could I add a third Panaflo?

 

[Cerb]

Yes, each header can take a certain amount. They are usually good for 3-4 watts, which I doubt the panaflo comes close to (don't feel like looking it up). If you're unsure or don't have spare 3-pin headers, get the 4-pin molex connector, which will pass through a power cable.

 

[aggressor]

Specs: Physical dimensions: 92x92x25.5mm, 9.2x9.2cm. Input power: .1.32 Watts. Max. air flow: 42.7 CFM. Max. noise: 27.0 dB-A. Max. air pressure: 2.3 mmH2O. Operating voltage (V, dc): 12V (7-13.8V range). Two wire connector (no RPM sensing, the third wire).


Guess I'm good to go with a 3pin