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2 CPU fan headers (1x4 pin, 1x3 pin)

ZaneDragon
By ZaneDragon
in Cooling
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Go to solution Solved by WoodenMarker,
1 minute ago, ZaneDragon said:

Can I connect a chassis fan to that one 3 pin cpu fan headerm

Yes, fans are fans whether they're used for a heatsink, rad, or case. 

Connect 3pin fans to the 3pin fan header and 4pin fans to a 4pin fan header. 

Posted

Hello all.

I would like to know, if a motherboard has 2 x CPU Fan Connectors (1x4 pin, 1x3 pin), can I use 3 pin to connect a normal case fan (which is also 3 pin) or would that be a bad thing to do?

Another question. If I connect a 3 pin fan to 3 pin connector, how do I control it's speed? Via BIOS by decreasing voltage (12V, 7V, 5V) or does motherboard regulate speed itself?

(I don't trust her :D )

Here is the link to some ASrock motherboards I have been looking:

http://www.asrock.com/mb/compare.asp?Models=Z270M Pro4,Fatal1ty B250M Performance,B250M Pro4,Z270M Extreme4

Also let's take a look at Z270M Extreme4. It has 1 x Chassis Optional / Water Pump Fan Connector (4-pin)...this can be used for connecting a normal chassis fan right?

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Posted

The two fan headers just allow for control of two individual heatsink fans. Is one labelled CPU_OPT or something like that? Because if it is, then that's following what I just said. 

USEFUL LINKS:

PSU Tier List | F@H stats

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Posted

okay basic differences is the standards.

 

3 pin is a voltage reulated fan, you control the speed by decreasing the voltage... basic.

4 pin is PWM controll of pulse width modulated (I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong) it's powered almost like an AC fan, and can usually spin slower due to the better feedback and control.

 

You can use either fan header to connect either type of fan, but they will default to the lesser level of control.

 

If you are using a water cooler plug that sucker into pwm. anything you can do to prevent that pathetic asetek pump from burning out is a plus in my books.

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Posted

The link is broken.

It's fine to plug a case fan into a fan header on the motherboard. 

How fan speed is determined depends on the header and the board in question. It's usually a preset speed or fan curve.

 

Moved to Air Cooling.

If you ever need help with a build, read the following before posting: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/3061-build-plan-thread-recommendations-please-read-before-posting/
Also, make sure to quote a post or tag a member when replying or else they won't get a notification that you replied to them.

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27 minutes ago, TheRandomness said:

The two fan headers just allow for control of two individual heatsink fans. Is one labelled CPU_OPT or something like that? Because if it is, then that's following what I just said. 

I don't own this board, I'm just interested in buying one. It's hard to find a m-ATX motherboard with 3 fan headers. Only found these so far:

 

Why I need 3 fan headers? I have 5 chassis fans which I want to control myself via SpeedFan software. So I bought 2 splitters from 1x4 pin to 2x4 pin on which I will connect 4 of my PWM fan. So...the 3 pin one (came with the case) need one fan header too :(

 

PS: I don't want them running at full speed. If I would, then I wouldn't buy 5 of them.

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Posted (edited)
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Sorry, I'm on phone and can't delete it :)

Edited by ZaneDragon
Sorry
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15 minutes ago, WoodenMarker said:

The link is broken.

It's fine to plug a case fan into a fan header on the motherboard. 

How fan speed is determined depends on the header and the board in question. It's usually a preset speed or fan curve.

 

Moved to Air Cooling.

Fixed the link :)

I contacted ASRock and they said they advise me to connect max 4 fans...is that true?

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18 minutes ago, ZaneDragon said:

Fixed the link :)

I contacted ASRock and they said they advise me to connect max 4 fans...is that true?

The power draw will vary between fans but motherboard fan headers should generally supply enough power for at least 2 fans each.

How fan headers are wired will vary between boards and it's best to decide what kind of cooling to get after choosing the motherboard if you decide to go aftermarket. 

If you're planning an upgrade and already have fans that you wanted to make sure work with a new motherboard, tell us your specs. 

If you ever need help with a build, read the following before posting: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/3061-build-plan-thread-recommendations-please-read-before-posting/
Also, make sure to quote a post or tag a member when replying or else they won't get a notification that you replied to them.

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I have 2 of these:

https://www.bitfenix.com/global/en/products/accessories/spectre-led-pwm#specs

and 2 of these:

https://www.arctic.ac/eu_en/arctic-f12-pwm.html

Case is corsair carbide R88:

http://www.corsair.com/en/carbide-series-88r-microatx-mid-tower-case

My PSU is 500W from Cooler master (B500).

I don't have other components yet.

 

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7 hours ago, ZaneDragon said:

I have 2 of these:

https://www.bitfenix.com/global/en/products/accessories/spectre-led-pwm#specs

and 2 of these:

https://www.arctic.ac/eu_en/arctic-f12-pwm.html

Case is corsair carbide R88:

http://www.corsair.com/en/carbide-series-88r-microatx-mid-tower-case

My PSU is 500W from Cooler master (B500).

I don't have other components yet.

Are you also using the stock case fans? The fans mentioned are all 4pin pwm and can be controlled in the same way or even split off from the same header.

 

You need to to quote a post or tag a member when replying or else they won't get a notification that you replied to them.

If you ever need help with a build, read the following before posting: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/3061-build-plan-thread-recommendations-please-read-before-posting/
Also, make sure to quote a post or tag a member when replying or else they won't get a notification that you replied to them.

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1 hour ago, WoodenMarker said:

Are you also using the stock case fans? The fans mentioned are all 4pin pwm and can be controlled in the same way or even split off from the same header.

 

You need to to quote a post or tag a member when replying or else they won't get a notification that you replied to them.

Aha, sorry...new to forum :)

How do I tag? Like this: @WoodenMarker

Yes I have 1 stock (3 pin).

I just want to know if I can connect chassis fans to CPU fan header. If it is posibble? I'm aware that it will adjust it's speed acording to the CPU temps. That's actually pretty cool if I get an aftermarket cooler.

The fan I fan to connect to the 3 pin cpu fan header is a stock one (3 pin) installed on rear of the case.

Hope you are not confused.

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8 minutes ago, ZaneDragon said:

Aha, sorry...new to forum :)

How do I tag? Like this: @WoodenMarker

Yes I have 1 stock (3 pin).

I just want to know if I can connect chassis fans to CPU fan header. If it is posibble? I'm aware that it will adjust it's speed acording to the CPU temps. That's actually pretty cool if I get an aftermarket cooler.

The fan I fan to connect to the 3 pin cpu fan header is a stock one (3 pin) installed on rear of the case.

Hope you are not confused.

What motherboard are you looking at? The cpu_fan header shouldn't be a 3pin header.

The cpu_fan header is pwm and sends a 12v signal. A non-pwm fan like the stock case fan will run at 100% with 12v.

 

If you ever need help with a build, read the following before posting: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/3061-build-plan-thread-recommendations-please-read-before-posting/
Also, make sure to quote a post or tag a member when replying or else they won't get a notification that you replied to them.

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6 minutes ago, WoodenMarker said:

What motherboard are you looking at? The cpu_fan header shouldn't be a 3pin header.

The cpu_fan header is pwm and sends a 12v signal. A non-pwm fan like the stock case fan will run at 100% with 12v

 

I've posted a link...

Here:

http://www.asrock.com/mb/compare.asp?Models=Z270M Pro4,Fatal1ty B250M Performance,B250M Pro4,Z270M Extreme4

This motherboards have 1x4 pin (I'll connect the cooler here) and 1x3 pin (maybe I can use them for chassis fans?)

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2 minutes ago, ZaneDragon said:

I've posted a link...

Here:

http://www.asrock.com/mb/compare.asp?Models=Z270M Pro4,Fatal1ty B250M Performance,B250M Pro4,Z270M Extreme4

This motherboards have 1x4 pin (I'll connect the cooler here) and 1x3 pin (maybe I can use them for chassis fans?)

Where are you seeing the 3pin header?

The motherboard has 3x 4pin fan headers. 

9d0c264c7d855fcf7da8641da8ff6f84.png

If you ever need help with a build, read the following before posting: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/3061-build-plan-thread-recommendations-please-read-before-posting/
Also, make sure to quote a post or tag a member when replying or else they won't get a notification that you replied to them.

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2 minutes ago, ZaneDragon said:

@WoodenMarker

http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/B250M Pro4/index.asp#Specification

It says:

2 x CPU Fan Connectors (1 x 4-pin, 1 x 3-pin)*
- 2 x Chassis Fan Connectors (4-pin) (Smart Fan Speed Control)**

Oh, I looked at the tag in the link and only read one of the motherboard names. 

In the future, link to the motherboard you're referring to instead of a comparison of 4. 

 

The cpu_fan headers should follow the same fan curve and that can be set in the motherboard settings. 

The cha_fan headers will have their own settings. The headers are rather straightforward in that you should plug 4pin fans into the 4pin headers and 3pin fans in the 3pin header. 

If you want to connect more fans, you can use splitters. 

If you ever need help with a build, read the following before posting: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/3061-build-plan-thread-recommendations-please-read-before-posting/
Also, make sure to quote a post or tag a member when replying or else they won't get a notification that you replied to them.

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1 minute ago, WoodenMarker said:

Oh, I looked at the tag in the link and only read one of the motherboard names. 

In the future, link to the motherboard you're referring to instead of a comparison of 4. 

 

The cpu_fan headers should follow the same fan curve and that can be set in the motherboard settings. 

The cha_fan headers will have their own settings. The headers are rather straightforward in that you should plug 4pin fans into the 4pin headers and 3pin fans in the 3pin header. 

If you want to connect more fans, you can use splitters. 

Yes I have 2 splitter.

Still I don't know the answer. Yes or no?

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1 minute ago, ZaneDragon said:

Yes I have 2 splitter.

Still I don't know the answer. Yes or no?

Yes or no to what?

If you ever need help with a build, read the following before posting: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/3061-build-plan-thread-recommendations-please-read-before-posting/
Also, make sure to quote a post or tag a member when replying or else they won't get a notification that you replied to them.

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4 minutes ago, WoodenMarker said:

Yes or no to what?

Can I connect a chassis fan to that one 3 pin cpu fan header?

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1 minute ago, ZaneDragon said:

Can I connect a chassis fan to that one 3 pin cpu fan headerm

Yes, fans are fans whether they're used for a heatsink, rad, or case. 

Connect 3pin fans to the 3pin fan header and 4pin fans to a 4pin fan header. 

If you ever need help with a build, read the following before posting: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/3061-build-plan-thread-recommendations-please-read-before-posting/
Also, make sure to quote a post or tag a member when replying or else they won't get a notification that you replied to them.

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