Are multiple fans connected to the CPU header reliable?
Are multiple fans connected to the CPU header reliable?
Hello! I started assembling my first PC and discovered I didn’t have a fan splitter for my three fans on the AIO board. However, I built a fan hub inside the case using SATA (Fractal design meshify 2) and connected all three fans to it, then linked the hub to the CPU header. I’m concerned about the seven fans connected through the hub—especially since the manual mentioned ensuring fans stayed within safe power limits. My worry is whether the CPU header could get damaged if things go wrong. The main issue seems to be that fan speeds are tied to CPU temperature, which adds another layer of complexity.
Cpu header measures 2A 24W. Fans: 0.2A ×3 = 0.6A, 1.32W×3=3.96W, 3 RGB fans at 0.1A each =0.3W, 1.2W×3=3.6W plus one stock fan ≈0.9A and 7.56W total. Also, a single stock fan likely draws around 4.5A. Does this mean the SATA connector supplies 4.5 amps to the CPU header?
It refers to SATA power, for instance. In fact, SATA and CPU typically reside on separate rails, so excessive current shouldn't force too much amperage onto any board header.
Confirmed, your fan hub uses SATA power. It should draw around 4.5A, while the CPU header requires about 2A. The hub connects to your motherboard’s fan header to receive PWM signals for speed control based on sensor data, but it pulls power from the SATA cable instead of the hub itself. With a 7-pin configuration, it would draw from the 4.5A capacity of the SATA cable.
The fan hub and every fan listed in the manual should be linked to the CPU or system fan.
It’s likely okay – using various headers gives you better precision for each fan group. This lets you adjust the curve independently. If you need the radiator fans to operate at a specific curve due to differing RPMs compared to the case fans, you can do that.