Is it ok to have case fans plug into the mobo?

[eLiu]

Is that ok? Im getting some fans...but this one with a 4 pin connector is on back order

so, if it doesnt come off back order...is the lead generally long enuf to connect from fan to mobo?

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

how many watts? i certainly wouldnt do it. most case fans pull way too many watts for a fan header on a mobo.

 

[KouklatheCat]

I agree with Bruno, check out how many watts, volts and amps your motherboard header supports. Then see how much your fan draws, the fan draw should be less than your mobo supports. If it is even close I would stay away from using the header. It would stink to fry your $100 mobo with a $15 fan.

 

[MichaelD]

I disagree. Yes, it is always best to suck as little juice off the mobo as possible, but if it was bad, would the mobo manufacturer have put the headers there?

There's a 3-part caveat to my answer though.

1. This is assuming you're using "typical" 80mm/92mm case fans. Black-label Delta's need not apply.

2. You only attach as many fans as there are headers. I.E. two headers two fans, NOT a Y-splitter on each header and two fans on each header.

3. You have a good power supply. I wouldn't stress the mobo w/fans if running an el cheapo deluxe PS. But then again, I wouldn't run an el cheapo power supply to begin with.

 

[eLiu]

12V, .18A, 2.16W is the fan specs...

my mobo will be a Epox 8K7A.

I'll have at most two of these fans running to the mobo...one from my HSF, the other on case exhaust.

Michael, I would never dream of putting a delta in there...*shudders*...the noise...*ear pain* hehe jk

my case will be an Enlight 7237 (or was it 7237...i forgot...hehe) w/a 300W PS, bought from newegg.

-eric

 

[KouklatheCat]

Most MOBO manufacturers have a voltage spec for the fan headers. Having been a residential/comercial electrician meebe im prejudiced against drawing too much juice through circuts. I have seen a few other posts regarding this subject on Anandtech. Run a search and see, as I remember it was advsed against putting too much current through the fan header. If you are not sure contact the vendor by phone and email and ask them. I would be really cautious.

 

[Lithium381]

get a 3 pin version, and buy a 3 > 4 pin converter, it's like three bucks....

 

[NightTrain]

I've had problems getting into the bios of my K7T with an 80mm and a 92mm fan connected. Best to hook em all to the PSU loom.