What is the maximum number of fans you can connect to with your current motherboard and power supply unit?
What is the maximum number of fans you can connect to with your current motherboard and power supply unit?
I own an EVGA supernova g2 650w modular power supply and an M5A78L-M Plus Asus motherboard. Since I'm unfamiliar with cables and connectors, I was curious about the maximum number of case fans I could install.
I also have a Corsair Carbide SPEC 02, which includes 2 case fans, and a CPU cooler that connects to the CPU fan connector on the motherboard. Overall, my setup can accommodate up to 6 case fans—1 at the rear, 2 at the top, one at the bottom, and 2 at the front.
Question: How many fans can I power using my motherboard and power supply without buying any fan controllers or splitters? Please let me know if anyone has advice!
Note: The fans I'm considering have a 4-pin connector.
PSU link: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.asp...6817438054
MOBO link: http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX62484
You can link as many Molex fans as you like, and there will be no issues with it.
Molex was initially designed to supply power for old mechanical hard drives, whose platters were quite heavy—often a metric ton. Back then, it was possible to connect fans in a chain, and the setup has stayed consistent. It would easily handle powering several dozen fans if needed.
I own an EVGA supernova g2 650w modular power supply and an M5A78L-M Plus Asus motherboard. Since I’m not very familiar with cables and connectors, I was curious about the maximum number of case fans I could install.
I also have a Corsair Carbide SPEC 02, which includes two case fans, and a CPU cooler that connects to the CPU fan connector on the motherboard. Overall, my case can accommodate six fans—one at the back, two at the top, one at the bottom, and two at the front.
Question: How many fans can I power using my motherboard and power supply? I’m not planning to buy any fan controllers or splitters yet. Please help me out! Thanks to anyone who can reply!
Note: The fans I’m considering use the Molex m/f connector. Here’s the link:
https://www.wtcr.ca/catalog/product/fan-g12lb-01
PSU:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.asp...6817438054
MOBO: http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX62484
You can link them together, so you can install as many as you like.
You can link as many Molex fans as you like, and there will be no issues.
Molex was initially designed to supply power for old mechanical hard drives, whose platters were quite heavy—often a metric ton. Back then, it was possible to connect fans in a chain, and the setup has stayed consistent. It would easily handle powering several dozen fans if needed.
It occurs when multiple devices are connected through the same main connector. For example, linking all fans together and using a Molex connector from the power source would create the most basic daisy chain configuration.
It's when you connect multiple devices through a single main connector. Like linking all the fans together and using a Molex connector from the power source... This is essentially a daisy chain setup. Would it cause any harm or damage? How would you arrange such a chain of connectors? The fans are actually 4-pin connectors.
The fans you mentioned use Molex connectors. Simply connect one fan to another until you form a continuous chain of Molex connectors, then attach that to the power source.
Note: Swapping fans may require purchasing splitters or using Molex-compatible connectors for a proper daisy chain.
The top choice remains a fan splitter. For pwm fans, you only need the tach wire and the pwm signal wire. Power is delivered through molex/Sata connectors, which means the motherboard isn’t burdened but you retain full control over fan speeds.
This setup lets you convert a single fan header into four fans—two for exhaust and two for intake—while keeping the CPU dedicated.
For most ATX mid-tower cases, a 2x2 configuration works well, no matter how many ports are available.
You can find examples here:
https://www.quietpc.com/gel-pwm-1-4-pwmcable
Using direct PC fans via molex connectors brings two main drawbacks:
1. Fewer options; not many quality fans use this connector, leading to limited choices and often subpar performance.
2. No control over fan speed. With a direct PSU fan, it runs at full speed constantly, which is very noisy—especially with high RPM fans—and generally not practical for most setups.
weberdarren97 :
The linked fans use Molex connectors. Simply link one fan to another until you form a continuous chain of Molex connectors, then connect it to the power supply.
You mentioned changing the fans—unless you're prepared to purchase splitters and Molex adapters, using standard fans with non-Molex connectors won't work without special equipment.
I've been looking into this and wondered if it's accurate to say a 4-pin female connector (fan) can be connected to a 3-pin male connector. What I found suggests the fourth pin is intended for PWM, which limits its use.