Whats the difference in a power fan and a chassis fan?

[jta009]

My motherboard has plugs for a "PWR_FAN" and a "CHA_FAN" meaning power fan and chassis fan. Well whats the difference? I thought all case fans plugged into the PSU? and btw, none of the fans I have have the right plug to fit those "PWR_FAN" and "CHA_FAN" plugs.

 

[Leros]

A power fan is the fan in your PSU. The chassis fan is your case fan.

... I think. Ive never really cared because I dont use either.

 

[jta009]

but my case has like 6 fans and none of them have the same plug as the chassis fan plug has. Oh yeh and my PSU has 2 fans but no plugs that'll fit the PWR_FAN connecotr on the mobo. Does that mean they wont run?

 

[Antisocial Virge]

Originally posted by: jta009
but my case has like 6 fans and none of them have the same plug as the chassis fan plug has. Oh yeh and my PSU has 2 fans but no plugs that'll fit the PWR_FAN connecotr on the mobo. Does that mean they wont run?

NOt usually. Just means the bios won't monitor the fan speed.

 

[Jeff7]

Their labels don't really matter - the only fan header that needs a fan connected (or usually does) is the CPU Fan. A lot of motherboards won't even boot if they don't detect a fan connected to the CPU Fan header.
Those others can be used to run 80mm fans and smaller anywhere in the case. 92mm fans and larger should connect to the power supply, as their increased power demands can damage the fan power supply circuitry on the motherboard.