BitFenix Nova - Front Fan Installation

[cubies1982]

I've just purchased a BitFenix Nova and two extra 120mm fans. The manual says that the front panel can be removed but I don't know what tool to use. Could anyone help?

 

 

[SaladFingers]

I don't think that's what it meant by "front panel" Those don't look like they are meant to be removed. Just mount the fans on it, there are mounting holes in your pic!

[cubies1982]

4 minutes ago, SaladFingers said:

I don't think that's what it meant by "front panel" Those don't look like they are meant to be removed. Just mount the fans on it, there are mounting holes in your pic!

It shows in this picture that the fans are mounted on the inside. I'm trying to do this but there isn't much wiggle room. Am I supposed to force them in with a tight fit?

[beanhubbleday]

5 minutes ago, cubies1982 said:

It shows in this picture that the fans are mounted on the inside. I'm trying to do this but there isn't much wiggle room. Am I supposed to force them in with a tight fit?

Yup

 

[Smiffy_]

From this it looks like you mount them from inside the case, if you are having trouble them I suggest you see if the drive cage is removable so that you can have better access.

[cubies1982]

4 minutes ago, Smiffy_ said:

From this it looks like you mount them from inside the case, if you are having trouble them I suggest you see if the drive cage is removable so that you can have better access.

I've tried removing the drive bay but unfortunately it can't be removed so I guess I'm just gonna have to use force to get the fans into place. Seems a shame really.

 

 

[SaladFingers]

If I were you I'd just slide them from the top opening and then use a long neck screwdriver from the inside. <- scratch that, you can screw them from outside right?

[cubies1982]

2 minutes ago, SaladFingers said:

If I were you I'd just slide them from the top opening and then use a long neck screwdriver from the inside. <- scratch that, you can screw them from outside right?

Yeah, they can be mounted from the inside or outside. I'm not sure which one is more aesthetically pleasing though. Also I need to decide which is better. To power the fans from using three pin connector to the motherboard or to power the fans using the power supply unit. 

[SaladFingers]

12 minutes ago, cubies1982 said:

Yeah, they can be mounted from the inside or outside. I'm not sure which one is more aesthetically pleasing though. Also I need to decide which is better. To power the fans from using three pin connector to the motherboard or to power the fans using the power supply unit. 

If you power them using the PSU without any sort of controller that will have them running 100% at all times. Not ideal if you ask me.

 

Are they PWM fans? If they aren't you don't really need to use 4-pin, a simple 3-pin will do. On a 4-pin you can adjust speeds using PWM, on a 3-pin you can use the voltage.

[cubies1982]

5 minutes ago, SaladFingers said:

If you power them using the PSU without any sort of controller that will have them running 100% at all times. Not ideal if you ask me.

 

Are they PWM fans? If they aren't you don't really need to use 4-pin, a simple 3-pin will do. On a 4-pin you can adjust speeds using PWM, on a 3-pin you can use the voltage.

I don't know what PWM fans are. They are 120mm fans that are either powered by a molex or a 3 pin connector. I'm trying to Google at the moment to find out where they connectors are located on my motherboard to see if I can connect three of them.

[SaladFingers]

2 minutes ago, cubies1982 said:

I don't know what PWM fans are. They are 120mm fans that are either powered by a molex or a 3 pin connector. I'm trying to Google at the moment to find out where they connectors are located on my motherboard to see if I can connect three of them.

Then they aren't PWM

 

While looking for fan connectors, take a look at some Y-splitters for fan headers. You could possibly hook them up into just one header. Only downside is that you won't be able to control their speed separately, but given they are both front intakes I don't think you'd need to.

[cubies1982]

3 minutes ago, SaladFingers said:

Then they aren't PWM

 

While looking for fan connectors, take a look at some Y-splitters for fan headers. You could possibly hook them up into just one header. Only downside is that you won't be able to control their speed separately, but given they are both front intakes I don't think you'd need to.

Couldn't a motherboard be able to power three PC case fans separately?

[SaladFingers]

2 minutes ago, cubies1982 said:

Couldn't a motherboard be able to power three PC case fans separately?

It depends on the motherboard. They will all have one CPU and one SYS header, anything extra than that depends on what you get. Make sure your case doesn't have an included fan controller. If it does, plug them to that.

[cubies1982]

3 minutes ago, SaladFingers said:

It depends on the motherboard. They will all have one CPU and one SYS header, anything extra than that depends on what you get. Make sure your case doesn't have an included fan controller. If it does, plug them to that.

It doesn't come with a fan controller. What are the extra 3 pin connectors called on motherboards used to power PC case fans? I'm not sure what I should be Googling. lol

[SaladFingers]

1 minute ago, cubies1982 said:

It doesn't come with a fan controller. What are the extra 3 pin connectors called on motherboards used to power PC case fans? I'm not sure what I should be Googling. lol

Haha, it's not standard it comes down to the manufacturer. Usually names like "Sys_2" or "fan_2". Just tell me your motherboard model I'll show you exactly where they are

[cubies1982]

1 minute ago, SaladFingers said:

Haha, it's not standard it comes down to the manufacturer. Usually names like "Sys_2" or "fan_2". Just tell me your motherboard model I'll show you exactly where they are

I'm currently using an ASUS Ranger Maximus VII but I don't like it so I'm going to be replacing it soon.

[SaladFingers]

8 minutes ago, cubies1982 said:

I'm currently using an ASUS Ranger Maximus VII but I don't like it so I'm going to be replacing it soon.

Really? Looks like a pretty decent motherboard. From the site:

 

"1 x CPU Fan connector (1 x 4 -pin), 1 x CPU OPT Fan connector (1 x 4 -pin), 3 x Chassis Fan connectors (3 x 4 -pin)"

 

 

The chassis fans are called "CHA_1" etc. I marked them with yellow, if you squint hard enough

[cubies1982]

5 minutes ago, SaladFingers said:

Really? Looks like a pretty decent motherboard. From the site:

 

"1 x CPU Fan connector (1 x 4 -pin), 1 x CPU OPT Fan connector (1 x 4 -pin), 3 x Chassis Fan connectors (3 x 4 -pin)"

 

 

The chassis fans are called "CHA_1" etc. I marked them with yellow, if you squint hard enough

Thanks man. Now I know what to look for when I get a new motherboard.

[SaladFingers]

11 minutes ago, cubies1982 said:

Thanks man. Now I know what to look for when I get a new motherboard.

Any time

[cubies1982]

47 minutes ago, SaladFingers said:

Any time

I've just noticed something. The PC case came with a 120mm fan preinstalled model number A1225M12S and I also ordered two more for the front panel. The only thing is even though all three are identical. BitFenix took the Corsair fans and put their own sticker over it. lol Like what.....

[SaladFingers]

6 minutes ago, cubies1982 said:

I've just noticed something. The PC case came with a 120mm fan preinstalled model number A1225M12S and I also ordered two more for the front panel. The only thing is even though all three are identical. BitFenix took the Corsair fans and put their own sticker over it. lol Like what.....

Hahaha.. Well, I guess they don't make fans and just buy from Corsair

[cubies1982]

14 hours ago, SaladFingers said:

Hahaha.. Well, I guess they don't make fans and just buy from Corsair

Should I get case fans that are PWM (4-pin) that plug into the three available slots on my motherboard?

[SaladFingers]

2 hours ago, cubies1982 said:

Should I get case fans that are PWM (4-pin) that plug into the three available slots on my motherboard?

Imo you don't really need PWM for case fans. Regular 3-pins will do and can connect to 4-pin headers just fine.

[NoobCase]

Asus motherboard let you voltage Control you 3pin fans from the bios or their fan experten software. So for case fans with that mb you won't really need pwm fans. 

[cubies1982]

On 11/01/2017 at 9:33 AM, SaladFingers said:

Imo you don't really need PWM for case fans. Regular 3-pins will do and can connect to 4-pin headers just fine.

Are you saying that although there are four pins for the chassis case fans that even though PWM fans come with four pins I only need three pins to cover the FAN PWM, Fan IN and FAN PWR pins? If so what is the GND pin for?