Connecting fans

[hifisoftware]

What is an appropriate way to connect several (7) fasn in the system. I only have one 3 pin connector on the motherboard. Should I connectall fans to the 4 pin (HD style) connector, and ignore 3 pin connector?

 

[AnnoyedGrunt]

Wow, what kind of case do you have that can fit 7 fans?

I think connecting them directly to the power supply through the white Molex connector is fine. I see most fans already connectorized in that fasion.

You MB may be able to monitor fan RPM, so if you have a particular fan you'd like to keep track of, that would be a good one to plug into the MB fan connector (some fans also have the large power connector and then a smaller connector that only outputs the RPM, so if you have a fan like that you can connect the larger plug directly to the PSU for power and the smaller, RPM connector into the MB to monitor the fan speed).

-D'oh!

 

[HardWarrior]

As long as they're medium\low speed fans you shouldn't have a problem. But if you want to keep your MB a bit cooler buy a fan controller or two, as Grunt says uses molexes.

 

[Cheetah8799]

7 fans on 1 3-pin mobo header sounds like a tad too much. If they draw too much current I believe it can fry the header on the mobo.

You probably should look into something like a Vantec Nexus fan controller. 7 fans will get loud, and this way you have control over the speeds, plus you won't fry your mobo fan header.

 

[MichaelD]

Do not connect more than one fan to a motherboard's 3-pin header. They are not made to take that kind of abuse and you'll fry it.

Seven fans connected directly to the power supply via a 4-pin molex connector is no problem at all, though.

 

[HardWarrior]

I don't think he was considering connecting all 7 fans to three headers. The average enthusiast mb puts out more than enough juice to handle 3x12v.15a fans. The headers wouldn't be there otherwise.

 

[pookie69]

I would recommend buying a fan controller. I have 2 fan controlers in fact :laugh:, controlling 7 individual fans. In all honesty, the one fan controller is enough (as you dont strictly need to control each fan individually but can easily daisy-chain them), but i simply added another moreso to fill up the spare 5.25" bay and add a lil eye candy.

Nevertheless, with all those fans, a fan controller i think is crucial in ensuring that noise levels are kept low enough whilst still providing effective cooling. I have found that fans running at much lower RPM still provide the same level of cooling for 'normal' use at much lower noise levels. Also, switching off certain fans allows me to leave my system running overnite. My fan controller also has heat sensors which can be useful.

 

[HardWarrior]

Originally posted by: pookie69
I would recommend buying a fan controller. I have 2 fan controlers in fact :laugh:, controlling 7 individual fans. In all honesty, the one fan controller is enough (as you dont strictly need to control each fan individually but can easily daisy-chain them), but i simply added another moreso to fill up the spare 5.25" bay and add a lil eye candy.

Nevertheless, with all those fans, a fan controller i think is crucial in ensuring that noise levels are kept low enough whilst still providing effective cooling. I have found that fans running at much lower RPM still provide the same level of cooling for 'normal' use at much lower noise levels. Also, switching off certain fans allows me to leave my system running overnite. My fan controller also has heat sensors which can be useful.

Agreed. This is what I'm using now. It's great being able to key a fans on/off cycle to a temp probe too. This one handles 8-fans up to and including 120mm. The only drawback is that the unit needs two molexes.

 

[hifisoftware]

Cool. Lots of responses this morning. Yes I did not think that mobo will live with 7 fans drawing current through it. Amps will fry it.
For the question about the case I got ENERMAX Server case CS-10182-BA http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=11-124-034&DEPA=0
I think it comes with three fans and have not bought any additional fans yet, but I did not felt comfortable connecting more then one fan to the 3 pin connector. With 7 fans I can get bunch of silent fans and run them at full speed without controller (via 4 pin connector).

 

[wkwong]

yea, grab yourself a fan controller and some 3-pin &-splitters. with 7 fans i'm sure you'll want some peace and quiet once in a while

i used to run 7 thermaltake smart fan 1's... all i can say is LOUD! I guess if your running 7 panaflo L1A's or something similar the noise wouldn't be too bad.