4pin cpu fan connector vs 4pin chassis fan connector

[juman231]

Hello everyone,

I know the question regarding 3 pin vs 4 pin has been asked and answered numerous times, but I wasn't able to find an answer to my question as in the topic.

My motherboard spec says that I have one 4-pin cpu fan connector, and four 4-pin chassis fan connectors.

Now my CPU temperature is on the high side, so I was looking to buy a cpu fan/heatsink that has 2 fans.

I am aware that 4-pin connectors are PWM that allows motherboard to control fan speed depending on temperature. But I just want to make sure if there is zero difference between the 4-pin cpu fan connector and 4-pin chassis fan connector( in which case I can simply use one of the chassis fan connector to connect my second cpu fan) or if there are significant differences that would require using a splitter on the only 4-pin cpu fan connector on my motherboard.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[superninja12]

Yes there is a difference,

dont use a chassis fan connector for your cpu fan.
Its not designed to cool a cpu, the cpu fan connector is.

 

[makkem]

Hi
Pwm fans are controlled by a temperature sensor which in the case of the CPU is placed on or near the CPU,and the case fan sensor measures the general air temperature.
So if you plug a cpu fan into a case fan connector then it will react to changes in the air temperature inside the case and not the temperature of the CPU.

 

[madmatt30]

If you buy a cooler Pre fitted with 2 fans then they normally come with a splitter included to plug to a lone cpu-fan header.
You absolutely can use a chassis fan connector for a second CPU fan if it doesn't , they will generally run at different speeds though.

Twin fan coolers honestly don't run that much cooler than a good single fan , push/pull normally drops 2-3c at the absolute max.

Post your setup including motherboard , CPU & case & you'll get some recommendations on a good cooler to buy.

 

[juman231]

Thanks everyone. I think I got my answer! Will be using a splitter that will come with the cpu cooler. @madmatt30 thx for the offer but my system is pretty old with AMD fm2 cpu set up. The fan I ordered was among the few that was compatible with my cpu.