Buy or convert existing case fans

jaffacaique · 28 Jul 2013 at 08:04

I have 4 case fans inside my tower case which are working okay but they are powered via Molex power connectors. I would like to convert these so that they can be connected directly to my motherboard. Is this easy to do or would I need to buy new ones.

Because of these the inside of my case looks like a rats nest with these chunky Molex connectors and the extra connectors attached to them. I am hoping to reduce the clutter and utilise the unused motherboard fan connectors.

The fans are around 5 years old now. If it would be easier to buy new fans which ones on OC website ideally would allow me to connector direct to motherboard without the extra clutter of the Molex leads?

Tealc · 28 Jul 2013 at 08:11

This'll do the conversion for you.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CB-012-AK&groupid=1929&catid=153

After 5 years though maybe new fans would be a better idea.

A few thoughts needed though.
Price range? Colour? Airflow? Noise? PWM or 3 pin?

jaffacaique · 28 Jul 2013 at 08:59

Hi Tealc

Thank you for the fast response

I have looked at the link you included, unless I am missing something obvious I will still be stuck with the Molex connectors on the fans I have.

From what you say it sounds as though due to their age it would be better to buy new fans. My motherboard has '3' 4pin system fan connectors which I would like to use.

Since cooling is important, I don't mind paying for good quality fans. Are the 'PWM' fans 4pin type (I take it these are controlled by the system via BIOS)

Are 3pin type standard speed, uncontrolled by system BIOS?

Tealc · 28 Jul 2013 at 09:48

The converters plug into your fan's Molex and then you plug the 3 pin to your motherboard.

PWM fans are the 4 pin type.

Motherboards vary in what they can control. Some have no 3 pin fan support, while others do. Some only support one 4 pin control while others have full control.

Regardless of control if you plug a 3 pin fan into a 4 pin header the worst that will happen is that the fan will run at full speed, the best will be that you can vary the voltage.

CreateNPlay · 28 Jul 2013 at 09:52

You could use something like this?

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BB-009-AE&groupid=701&catid=1428&subcat=1429

GazEaton · 28 Jul 2013 at 10:21

I would advise AGAINST getting that fan controller.

Get a different fan controller that connects to 3pin connections, rather then that fan controller which is molex.

The go ahead an upgrade the fans in your case to AF120 and/or SP120 Corsair fans.

CreateNPlay · 28 Jul 2013 at 10:23

Yeah thats if he kept the original fans

doyll · 28 Jul 2013 at 13:26

Tealc said:
After 5 years though maybe new fans would be a better idea.
A few thoughts needed though.
Price range? Colour? Airflow? Noise? PWM or 3 pin?

What Tealc said and also what case and what components you have in it.

There are many ways to go:
* Case fans run the same speed all the time.
* Case fans are controlled by a controller in front of case.
* Case fans are controlled by custom built adapter/controller using PWM signal from CPU fan socket and power from molex connector (Tealc makes them)
* Case fans are controlled by PWM signal from CPU fan socket and a PWM splitter with power from molex connector.

The last two can also use GPU PWM signal for case fans suppling air to GPU.

Advantage of the last two is once you setup the PWM fan speed curve the case fans idle with CPU/GPU fans and ramp up when they do.. this means as the cooler cfm increases so does case fan cfm.. and you don't have to do a thing.