Pretty fundamental question

[propaganda]

I never modded a pc before now have a had a pc with more then the PSU fan and the CPU cooling fan so I wouldn't know this answer. Can someone tell me what are the ways to power a fan that is modded into the case?

 

[QueBert]

Originally posted by: propaganda
I never modded a pc before now have a had a pc with more then the PSU fan and the CPU cooling fan so I wouldn't know this answer. Can someone tell me what are the ways to power a fan that is modded into the case?

run the fan(s) off your PSU. If you want to monitor the RPM's of them and your MB supports it, make sure the fans you buy don't draw too much power.

I run my extra fans off my PSU and monitor the RPM's with a Cooler Master Aerogate II. a decent setup, and not too much money.

I love being able to adjust my fan speeds on the fly too

 

[propaganda]

 

[propaganda]

sorry about that im new... but how would you go about connecting them to the PSU and the mobo? via what cables?

 

[SWScorch]

yes, the fans come with either a 3-pin or a 4-pin connector. The 3-pin connector plugs into the motherboard, and the 4-pin connector connects directly to a plug from the power supply.

 

[Mday]

Originally posted by: propaganda
sorry about that im new... but how would you go about connecting them to the PSU and the mobo? via what cables?

http://www.svc.com/conad.html

svc is a store that i have purchased a few hundred dollars worht of stuff over the past 2 years. they sell the appropriate cabling for fans for a very competitive (low) price, and is where i buy my power cables for fans. go through the above link, you will find that there are descriptions for the adapters.

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fans can be powered with a 3-pin or 4 pin connection as mentioned. 3 pin connections use 0.100" connectors. 4pin connectors are plugged directly into the powersupply. there are various adapters that can be used to switch back and forth between them. typically, most fans use 2 wires (+ and -). with the 3 pin, there are 2 variants: a 2 wire implementation for power only, and a 3 wire implementation for power and tach (fan speed, not all fans have this feature). with 4 pin, there is only one variant: 2 wire implementation for power. there is a hybrid which uses both, http://www.svc.com/3pinto4pinad1.html which uses the 4 pin for power, but has a separate wire for tach which goes into the 3 pin headers.

 

[propaganda]

I know understand the 4 pin connector and how that works but how do I know and where would the 3 pin connectors on my mobo be? And sorry I can't give you any specifics on the mobo this pc was bought directly from Dell.

 

[SWScorch]

the 3-pin connector plugs into a small white or brownish connector on the motherboard: like this. There should be a few scattered around and shouldn't be too difficult to find.

 

[propaganda]

Thanks for the help guys. Unfortunately Dell doesn't want me to add anymore fans so I don't have any 3 pin connectors other then my CPU fan. I guess I'll just have to go with a 4 pin with a fan controller.