Dumb question

[imported_Nap]

So I'm orederin the fan off Jab-tech (to be used with an Ultima-90) and it has an option for either a 3 pin molex connector or a 4 pin. I read a review on Newegg that said that the ABIT had a 4 pin molex connector, but I'm assuming the 3 pin would work too, right? The way it was written made it sound like it was an extra edition. I don't really remember but I think the last molex connector I had on the fan for my A64 system was a 2 pin, but maybe I don't really remember. Anyway, sorry for the stupid question, but what is the one to get?

 

[MarcVenice]

4 pins can always be plugged straight into the molex connectors coming from the PSU. the ones you use with your HD's and such, right ? 3 pins is just a different adaptor as far as I know.

 

[Zepper]

The fan to use on a CPU cooler should have a 3-pin (or 4-pin PWM - the same as the normal 3-pin fan connector with an extra pin) fan connector and the fan should have the speed sensor line so you can make sure the fan is working. But you can set a CPU temp at which the machine should cut off in the BIOS setup. But I'd rather have both the cutoff safety and the fan speed monitoring. For Panaflo fans to have speed sensing, the suffix should be BX. So I'm guessing that this is the one you're getting:
http://www.jab-tech.com/Panafl...-case-fan-pr-2001.html - so you want the 3-pin connector. The 4-pin connector mentioned at J-T is the large drive type connector and you don't want that.

.bh.

 

[imported_Nap]

Originally posted by: Zepper
The fan to use on a CPU cooler should have a 3-pin (or 4-pin PWM - the same as the normal 3-pin fan connector with an extra pin) fan connector and the fan should have the speed sensor line so you can make sure the fan is working. But you can set a CPU temp at which the machine should cut off in the BIOS setup. But I'd rather have both the cutoff safety and the fan speed monitoring. For Panaflo fans to have speed sensing, the suffix should be BX. So I'm guessing that this is the one you're getting:
http://www.jab-tech.com/Panafl...-case-fan-pr-2001.html - so you want the 3-pin connector. The 4-pin connector mentioned at J-T is the large drive type connector and you don't want that.

.bh.

Ah thanks I see what the 4 pin is now. I was actually going to get the H1A but I'm pretty sure they are identical fans minus the speed difference. Not to drag the thread on any longer but is the H1B preferable because per their listed specs (probably exagerrated) it doesn't seem much noiser.

 

[Zepper]

H1A entirely lacks the speed sensor in the fan. It is hard to get Panaflo fans with speed sensor, that is why the A suffix is so much cheaper than the BX with the speed seosor. For a CPU fan, I'd definitely get the BX version.

Some mobos won't boot the first time without a fan with speed sensor attached the the CPUFan header (specifically marked). Once you get booted, you can disable the CPU protection feature in the BIOS setup. But you can hook any fan with a working speed sensor to the header to get boot. After that, you can use the A suffix fan just as well.

The Scythe Kama fan there would be equally good to the BX while being a bit less expensive. And the H1BX can be had from svc.com too with maybe cheaper shipping by FCM w/o insurance (you assume shipping risk)

 

[jonmcc33]

Originally posted by: MarcVenice
4 pins can always be plugged straight into the molex connectors coming from the PSU. the ones you use with your HD's and such, right ? 3 pins is just a different adaptor as far as I know.

He's talking about the 4-pin PWM header on the motherboard. It's for PWM fans, if anyone would want to get one. You're thinking of a 4-pin molex connector, not the same.

 

[Vortex22]

Just bought a BX from FrozenCPU for $6.15. They have 4-pin connector with an extra plug for the RPM sensor for $1.50 extra.

 

[Zepper]

It's about a wash here SVC vs Frozen CPU as I live in NY and have to pay the danged Sls Tx... Also see what SidewinderComputers.com can do. SideWinder beats them all to here w/ only $2.50 shipped FCM.

.bh.