Connecting 4-pin PWM fans to Zalman fan controller

grumpybeard · 23 Aug 2009 at 13:52

Hey guys,

I think I have made a gaff - bought a bunch of
Akasa AK-FN057 Apache Super Silent 120mm 4 pin PWM Fans.

Some of these I want to control with a Zalman ZM MFC1 controller, which has 3 pin fan connectors.

Will this work or have I just been duh!

Cheers!

eddie101 · 23 Aug 2009 at 13:54

should work fine with just the three mate

invisible69 · 24 Aug 2009 at 07:29

yeah, just plug them in the 3-pin connector

WJA96 · 24 Aug 2009 at 07:36

They'll work, but they won't be PWM fans ie. they'll not be as fully controllable as PWM fans on a PWM controller are.

PWM fans on a PWM controller can run extremely slowly, or even stop, normal voltage controller generally only take them down to +5V and can't actually stop the fan spinning.

grumpybeard · 24 Aug 2009 at 11:09

Reassuring to think I havent chucked my money away!

The two CPU heatsink fans (2 Akasa Apache's) I plan to connect to the PWM header on the motherboard. Motherboard is Asus Rampage II and Im not sure how many fan headers are PWM - I've bought a couple of PWM splitters just in case I need em.

2 others will replace others that came statndard with case - and I'll connect to fan controller.

Thanks again!