CPU fan help!

morguk · 12 Mar 2011 at 16:01

Hey guys,

On Monday I'm building the rig in my sig. I have a Zalman CNPS10X Flex on it's way, but I didn't realise you had to add your own fans. It can hold 2 of them.

Now, usually when you add a stock CPU cooler you plug the fan into that little socket on the mobo. Is that a 3pin?

I'm not sure how I can add 2 120mm fans and how to plug them both in? All I can think is that you just connect them to the PSU, but if that's the case how does the mobo increase the fans speed when needed?

A bit confused at the mo.

Cheers.

vail3r · 12 Mar 2011 at 16:08

There will be system fan slots on the mobo for additional fans? There is on mine and most others afaik!

morguk · 12 Mar 2011 at 16:28

It's an Asus M4A87TD Evo that's coming on Monday. So just bang on in the little CPU fan slot and one in the mobo?

Pighardia · 12 Mar 2011 at 16:33

that motherboard will have 2 fan headers in addition to the cpu fan to add case fans to. You can also attatch most fans to the PSU molex's, either straight off, or with an adapter.

PhillyDee · 12 Mar 2011 at 16:34

Looks like there are another 2 headers for fans, so you will be fine. Otherwise you use an adapter to connect it to a molex. These are usually pass-through so you can daisy chain them.

~Mike~ · 12 Mar 2011 at 16:37

You could use a splitter cable like this:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CB-013-AK

Pighardia · 12 Mar 2011 at 16:39

btw, i have that mobo, and only one of the extra fan headers has pwm, so one can not be controlled by the mobo.

PhillyDee · 12 Mar 2011 at 16:41

Pighardia said:
btw, i have that mobo, and only one of the extra fan headers has pwm, so one can not be controlled by the mobo.

Does it not do voltage control? Most mobos I have used do. (Apart from a terrible EVGA one)

Pighardia · 12 Mar 2011 at 16:44

PhillyDee said:
Does it not do voltage control? Most mobos I have used do. (Apart from a terrible EVGA one)

They are labelled Chassis and Power.
the chassis fan can be controlled through bios, but the power fan can't be changed, and is on 100% all the time, which i'm not worried about because it's an Akasa Apache- completely silent.

Or at least i can't change it

morguk · 12 Mar 2011 at 16:44

So attach 1 to the CPU fan port and 1 to a PWN fan port? Do I need a PWN fan for a PWN port or just any 3 pin?

~Mike~ · 12 Mar 2011 at 16:47

There is also the Akasa AK-CB002 PWM Fan Splitter Cable

Pighardia · 12 Mar 2011 at 16:51

morguk said:
So attach 1 to the CPU fan port and 1 to a PWN fan port? Do I need a PWN fan for a PWN port or just any 3 pin?

Attatch the CPU heatsink fan to the CPU fan header

morguk · 12 Mar 2011 at 16:52

What about the other one? Sorry, I want 2 fans on it.

Pighardia · 12 Mar 2011 at 16:54

heatisnk - cpu header
2 case fans to Power and Chassis headers.

morguk · 12 Mar 2011 at 16:57

Lol. I have to add 2 case fans to my Zalman as it has no fans. They are both Cpu fans. So I need one of those adapters and add them both to the CPU fan port? Sorry I'm dumb today..

Pighardia · 12 Mar 2011 at 17:03

aah, so you want to add 2 fans to the heatsink. Now i understand. splitter it is then. lol

morguk · 12 Mar 2011 at 17:05

Yeah that's it

Cheers for everyones help, I appreciate it

pastymuncher · 12 Mar 2011 at 19:35

I have a Flex with a Arctic cooling F12 PWM fan on it. These come with a built in splitter to let you add a three pin fan and have them both controlled off the PWM riser on the motherboard. If you were to get 1x PWM F12 and 1x normal 3 pin version you would be fine. They are good fans and i have replaced all of my 120mm case fans with F12's. Pity they don't do a 140mm version as well.