[SOLVED] Am I powering this component incorrectly?

Jun 20, 2020
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So I have this here fan hub:
https://www.newegg.com/p/0ZK-08UH-0...Hub-_-9SIAK2CBX92664-_-Product&quicklink=true
I'm using a 4 pin ATX to Molex:
https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E168128...lex&cm_re=atx_to molex-_-12-816-222-_-Product
AND an adapter thingy or whatever here:
https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E16812706015?Item=N82E16812706015
The hub doesn't receive power and I have a feeling I'm doing something wrong here... I have the ATX to Molex plugged into the adapter but I'm noticing that there are 4 female slots and only one male slot... does this mean it's powered via female Molex and I'm doing it wrong?
 
Solution
The 4-pin Molex SUPPLY connector is always female. The device that USES the power always has a MALE input connector, as your fan Hub does. You are doing it backwards, so no wonder you get no power. The 4-pin ATX socket on your mobo is to INPUT power to the board for a particular component; it is NOT an OUTPUT to provide power to some accessory.

The power to your fan Hub should be from a PSU 4-pin Molex FEMALE connector. You have a Molex Splitter that can convert that PSU output into 2 outputs, but I don't see why you need it unless you are short of Molex output connectors.

By the way, that Hub is labelled as a "PWM 3-pin ..." device. It is not. It has NO conponents to do anyting involving the PWM system of fan control. It uses the...

AdamG

Distinguished
Dec 21, 2013
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I'm not entirely sure why it would be atx to molex for power, but rather 4pin female molex from psu to the 4pin male molex on the hub. I would assume its because you are trying to power it with the atx 4 pin cpu voltage connector. Could be wrong though. Only powered extra fans with chasis fan pins and molex, never with the cpu 4 pin atx.
 

Paperdoc

Polypheme
Ambassador
The 4-pin Molex SUPPLY connector is always female. The device that USES the power always has a MALE input connector, as your fan Hub does. You are doing it backwards, so no wonder you get no power. The 4-pin ATX socket on your mobo is to INPUT power to the board for a particular component; it is NOT an OUTPUT to provide power to some accessory.

The power to your fan Hub should be from a PSU 4-pin Molex FEMALE connector. You have a Molex Splitter that can convert that PSU output into 2 outputs, but I don't see why you need it unless you are short of Molex output connectors.

By the way, that Hub is labelled as a "PWM 3-pin ..." device. It is not. It has NO conponents to do anyting involving the PWM system of fan control. It uses the older 3-pin fan system in which the VOLTAGE supplied to each fan on its Pin #2 is varied to change fan speed. In this Hub the variance is done by the manual switch. It gives you the choice of three fan speeds: High, Low, and Off.
 
Solution
Jun 20, 2020
5
1
15
The 4-pin Molex SUPPLY connector is always female. The device that USES the power always has a MALE input connector, as your fan Hub does. You are doing it backwards, so no wonder you get no power. The 4-pin ATX socket on your mobo is to INPUT power to the board for a particular component; it is NOT an OUTPUT to provide power to some accessory.

The power to your fan Hub should be from a PSU 4-pin Molex FEMALE connector. You have a Molex Splitter that can convert that PSU output into 2 outputs, but I don't see why you need it unless you are short of Molex output connectors.

By the way, that Hub is labelled as a "PWM 3-pin ..." device. It is not. It has NO conponents to do anyting involving the PWM system of fan control. It uses the older 3-pin fan system in which the VOLTAGE supplied to each fan on its Pin #2 is varied to change fan speed. In this Hub the variance is done by the manual switch. It gives you the choice of three fan speeds: High, Low, and Off.
Thank you very much. I can see now that should have been clear to me but when learning hands-on by your lonesome you're bound to make silly mistakes... Appreciate it all!