So, lets take the tour, shall we?
Where to Connect PC Fans?
Plug in your PC fans to the correct ports on the motherboard.
Source: Gigabyte
For example, connect the CPU cooler fan to theCPU_FANheader on the main board.
Likewise, PC case fans should go into theCHA_FANorSYS_FANheaders.
it’s possible for you to, however, plug-in case fans into the PSUsMolexconnectors.
Source: Gigabyte
Speaking of fan connectors, dedicated connectors for Liquid AIO cooler is included on modern motherboards labeled asAIO_PUMPorSYS_FAN_PUMP.
Naming discrepancies come up based on different manufacturers.
On that note, lets check out where exactly you should connect your PC fans in vivid detail.
Bulky liquid AIOs such as240mmor360mmcoolers ship with more than 1 fan.
And they sport a 4-pin PWM connector.
In reply to the question, Where to plug in CPU cooler fans?
its theCPU_FANorCPU_OPTPWM header at the top of the main board.
When I say headers, I refer to multiple connection points for additional PWM fans.
Inspect the bottom half of the main board to locate these headers.
But its not flawless.
See, unlike the PWM, its impossible to control the fan speed through aMOLEXconnection.
It basically lets the fan run at a constant speed.
No tweaking from the BIOS, such as setting up a fan curve.
Important to note before plugging in a case fan, you should checkwhat PSU model you have.
Yep, you heard me correctly.
You see, conventional graphics cards are air-cooled and have fans connected to the GPUs PCB.
Liquid-cooled GPUs, however, requires the radiator fans connected to the main board of your system.
Take MSI RTX 4090 SUPRIM Liquid, for example.
It ships with a 240mm stock radiator with two 120mm fans mounted on it.
Simply connect the radiator fans to the closest SYS_FAN header on the motherboard.
Typically, thats how computer PSUs are made forever.
However, a high-end PSU lets you monitor the PSU fan status by connecting it to the motherboard.
So, where should you connect this fan?
Well, its thePWR_FANheader on the main board.
Its also known as the power fan header.
Take the PSU fan cable and simply tuck it into the fan header.
Use a Y-splitter cable to chain two fans together.
However, use a fan hub to install more than two extra PC fans in a single header.
The fan header on the motherboard can supply 1A current in general.
To confirm, check the manual first.
Or any other arrangement that exceeds the 1A limit, for that matter.
To sort this out, exploit dedicated fan hubs.
This unit essentially allows multiple fans to be connected to a single PWM header on the motherboard.
Well, the fan hub takes in enough juice from the PSU and delivers it to the fans.
Also, it acts as a central terminal to manage RGB or ARGB effects on all the fans.
This depends on which jot down of connection is available on a PC fan.
Once you figure out the connections, load the fans on the case according to your preference.
Use the correct screws and mounting holes for a smooth installation process.
you should probably give thought to why you need extra fans in the first place.
The answer is quite apparent betterairflow inside the PC.
Imagine the disaster if you pick a stand fan for your machine!
Also, they come in with different profiles, such asstatic and airflow fans.
Now, heres the kicker: select PC case fans according to your chassis dimension and clearance.
Consider low noise profile and superior airflow.
If you dont know how to look for this information, simply read the product description carefully.
Its more efficient in dissipating heat from the case.
As neutral pressure is almost impossible to achieve, positive is our best bet.
But how do you count the air pressure?
It goes like this:Positive Air Pressure=Intake fans totalCFMExhaust Fans total CFM=Positive Value.
Just as the equation, calculate the total CFM of the intake and exhaust fans.
Subtract the exhaust CFM value from the intake.
Direction Of Case Fans
you should probably set up your case fans in the correct orientation.
If you dont, the fans will do more harm than good.
Luckily, new intake fans have body markings indicating which way they should face.
But what if there is no clear sign on the fan?
In that case, pay attention to the blades of the fan.
Usually, the convex side of the blade indicates the front.
Air gets sucked from this side.
The concave facet, however, draws air out.
Its considered the back of a PC case fan.
And another indication for the rear is that theres anX-patternframe that holds the fan.
Some new cases will have a vent on top of it.
But dont make a mistake and install an intake fan over there.
To mount the fan, by the way, you gotta find the correct place for it.
This facilitates great cable management.
How Many Fans Can You Plug Into Your PC?
Corresponding to motherboard vendors, the number of dedicated fan headers varies.
Though, in general, you could plug into3-4fans directly via motherboard 4-pin PWM ports.
Increase this number With Y-splitter cables and fan hubs.
you might plug in 8,10,12, or even more fans simultaneously.
See, you dont have to agitate yourself with the case fan amount.
Accessories like the fan hub will allow you to add more fans to the PC than you ever need.
Who would ever need such anamount of fans on a single computer?
So, I would say you’re able to plug in more than enough fans on a PC.
Some low-end motherboards, on the other hand, offer fewer slots to install additional fans.
Do Additional PC Case Fans Matter?
Yes, additional PC case fans do matter, but to a certain degree.
Its not like you slap more fans on your PC, and dramatically every component is icy cool.
More fans = Better thermal performance; it doesnt always apply.
A Higher number of fans instead produce more noise altogether.
Dont forget to consider a low noise profile, by the way.
To bust myths, we conducted several tests and observed the results firsthand.
Shockingly enough, a read exhaust fan can make a world of difference.
We mounted different fans in a variety of orientations on theLian Li LanCool 216housing theCore i7 13700andRX590.
Just like the CPU, we tested the maximum and average graphics temperature at diverse fan arrangements.
Furmark torture test pushed ourXFX RX590 FAT BOYto its thermal limits and hit a maximum of85 degrees Celcius.
Installing an exhaust fan at the back of ourLian Li LanCool 216again did wonders.
With other fan configurations, the results remained unchanged.
Note: Results for each component will vary on a different PC case.
FAQs
Should you Connect Case Fans to Motherboard or Power Supply?
You should connect fans to the motherboard.
It can be a direct 4-pin PWM plug-in or through a fan hub.
However, if your fan has no PWM connector, plug it into the PSUsMOLEXpoint.
Can a 3-pin Case Fan Be Used on a 4-pin PWM Port?
Yes, a 3-pin case fan can be used on a 4-pin PWM port.
Skip the first pin on the PWM header and connect the 3-pin connector of the fan as usual.
This will work just fine but with limited fan control capability.
What is the Chassis Fan (CHA_FAN) Connector?
The chassis fan connectorCHA_FANand theSYS_FANindicate the same thing.
They both are meant for the case fans to begin with.
Different motherboard vendors name these PC case fan headers according to their scheme.
Can You Use the CPU and Power Fan Header for Case Fans?
Yes, you’ve got the option to use the CPU and power fan header for case fans.
When you run out of ports, exploiting an alternative CPU fan header or the PWR_FAN header is feasible.
Thus achieve control over these fans to your preference.
For more questions and queries comment down below.
