Is it better to power a case fan from M/B or PS?

[BobInMo]

I was ready to pick up a case fan for my daughter's Antec Gemstone case, and I was presented with the choice of either an 80mm fan that connects to the motherboard with a 3 pin connector, or an 80mm fan that connects to the power supply with the standard 4 pin connector.

Are there advantages/disadvantages to either? What is best.

If it matters, the motherboard is an MSI-6309 with a retail celeron 600 overclocked to 900Mhz.

Thanks,

Bob

 

[tonyou]

Usually with a 3 pin connector, you get rpm sensing capability so you can monitor your fan from either the bios or with softwares in windows. Unless the fan you are getting is high powered model, there shouldn't be any problems with the fan drawing too much current.

Tony

 

[BobInMo]

Thanks,

Good point about the monitor. I was worried about the power draw on the motherboard and if the fan draw would cause problems.

Bob

 

[beer]

Be careful.
I am not sure about that motherboard, but if you buy one of them super-high-output 80mm (hell even a Delta 60mm) you will blow the motherboard header.

On my case...I have all my case fans running off a baybus and my "critical fans" - the 2x60mms on my VOS32 and my power supply fan (the Enermax has a mobo hookup) on so if they fail I can get it fixed immediately.

 

[beer]

Sorry I should elaborate more -

Most headers on older motherboards (and even on the new Abit ones) are rated at 12v, and 2 watts. If you aren't sure of your motherboard header's capacity...don't hook anything up faster than a regular 92mm or high-flow 80mm to it.

 

[Mucman]

I heard any fans less than 0.6A is ok. I remember someone had a horror story when they hooked up their YSTech 120m fans to the MB and it got fried.