Is it possible to connect 3 fans to one header?

[ShiWarrior]

Hi

I have a new case on the way, how do I go about connecting up 3 intake fans to one fan port on the motherboard? Is it just a case of a splitter for example? Would it be too much voltage through it?

 

[EsaT]

Number of fans never affects voltage, unless they draw too much current overloading fan output.
But that likely burns output lot faster than causes significant voltage drop.
In case of somehow managing to connect fans in series voltage per fan and hence drawn current just drops.

Unless being high current draw fans three fans is safe load for one header.
For low current fans number would be lot higher.
Though in case of PWM fans at some point control signaling starts degrading.

Arctic P-serie PST fans actually have splitter built into cable.
Others need splitter.
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/ek-water-blocks-ek-cable-y-splitter-3-fan-10cm-wc-9ak-ek.html
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/ek-water-blocks-ek-cable-y-splitter-2-fan-pwm-10cm-wc-551-ek.html
Some PWM fan splitters also have Molex for power.
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/ek-water-blocks-ek-cable-splitter-4-fan-pwm-extended-wc-9cq-ek.html

 

[ShiWarrior]

cheers mate
I have arctic P12's and Noctua S12A

i got the non PST version, both fans i have are the 4-pin PWM ones

should be ok with one of those cables in your links ?

 

[doyll]

Hi

I have a new case on the way, how do I go about connecting up 3 intake fans to one fan port on the motherboard? Is it just a case of a splitter for example? Would it be too much voltage through it?

2 or 3 fans is usually safe. Fan ratings generally only list running load amp/watt ratings, and motors draw 3-5 times more power at startup or when bearing freezes up and stopps fan from running while power is still going to motor. In below chart you can see the difference between startup and running amp load of Gentle Typhoon fans made by Nidec-Servo

Below is how many times more power motor draws at startup or if something stops fan from turning.
4.31 times more power for 12v fan at startup (or stopped impeller) than rated running amp load
4.22 times
4.29 times
Most fan headers are rated 1 amp, so if fan has a running load rating of 1/4th of an amp it's startup load is close to fan headers max load rating.

 

[ShiWarrior]

thanks