Fan Cables

[HyperSonic]

I've got 3 system fans and only one fan header, also the fans are 3pin and the fan header is 4pin

Does anyone know of a cable that will allow me to attach 3 x 3pin fans to one 4pin fan header?

An alternative may be to use the a psu sata connector to 3x 3pin plugs? I see that OcUK sell a molex to 4x 3pin adapter, is there similar out there for sata connectors?

I would prefer to be able to control the fan speed - but im not sure this is possible with the 3pin fans

 

[TooMuchCheese]

The 4 pin connector should be able to take a 3 pin connection, they are typically designed that way to be backward compatible(in a sense) with older 3 pin connecting fans.

Something like the following should be appropriate(though i'd wager you can find something similar cheaper).

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CB-011-BX&groupid=1929&catid=2221

 

[foster grant]

Yeah I have some fans that are 3pin connected to 4pin headers...and of course they will only fit one way

 

[Danny75]

If you want to control speed, then this type of cable is what you need:

Akasa FLEXA FP5, Smart PWM cable for 5 PWM case fans

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CB-070-AK


Doesn't matter that the connections are 4-pin, your 3-pin fans will go in, but you will need at least one fan to be a PWM, in order to control all the other fans along with it. Usually the CPU fan is PWM. It will be powered by the PSU, through a molex, putting less strain on the motherboard header where the PWM needs to be attached for speed control.

And the following is the same but powered through a SATA power connector instead of molex:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CB-079-AK


And another alternative:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CB-031-AK

 

[HyperSonic]

If you want to control speed, then this type of cable is what you need:

Akasa FLEXA FP5, Smart PWM cable for 5 PWM case fans

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CB-070-AK


Doesn't matter that the connections are 4-pin, your 3-pin fans will go in, but you will need at least one fan to be a PWM, in order to control all the other fans along with it. Usually the CPU fan is PWM. It will be powered by the PSU, through a molex, putting less strain on the motherboard header where the PWM needs to be attached for speed control.

And the following is the same but powered through a SATA power connector instead of molex:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CB-079-AK


And another alternative:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CB-031-AK

You sir, are brilliant!

Exactly what i'll need; the cpu fan is indeed 4pin/PWM and if the other 3 will fit the 4pin connector AND be automatically controlled by the CPU temp than thats perfect

thank you very much

 

[Danny75]

You sir, are brilliant!

Exactly what i'll need; the cpu fan is indeed 4pin/PWM and if the other 3 will fit the 4pin connector AND be automatically controlled by the CPU temp than thats perfect

thank you very much

Yeah, they are handy little things aren't they? Just be sure to connect the CPU PWM fan into the one connection that will read speed. You'll be able to tell from the extra pin/s, I think. i.e. :

"Fan connector: 5 x 4pin PWM (one with RPM feedback for motherboard)"

You're welcome and good luck.