ASUS Z97 Sabertooth Mk1 USB 3.1 Fan Header Power

[Hammer182]

I posted this thread to the PC Part Picker forums four days ago and have received zero responses. I'm hoping the THW community will know the answer, or I'll have to take my question directly to ASUS support...

I'm looking for some feedback from the (THW) community on some nit-picky details that seem to be lacking in the documentation associated with the subject MB.

I'm considering (the subject) MB with an air-cooled setup in a Phanteks Enthoo Luxe case and am trying to map the fan connections (ref page 1-34 from the user guide / manual for the MB & page 31 from the user guide / manual for the case). The MB manual makes the following statements:

"The CPU_FAN connector supports the CPU fan of maximum 1A (12W) fan power." "The CPU_FAN, CHA_FAN, and ASST_FAN connectors support the TUF Thermal Radar 2 feature."

Issue #1 The power limit mentioned is tied to one of the nine available fan headers. Does anyone know if the 12W limit applies to ALL the fan headers, or just the CPU_FAN connector? I ask because the type of case fans I'd like to use are 3.6W each for the 120mm size and 4.62W each for the 140mm. If all headers are limited to 12W each, I need to find an alternative way to wire up 3x 140mm fans in the Luxe's top exhaust area.

Issue #2 Assuming a threshold of 12W for all MB fan headers, I'll need to make use of the case's included PWM hub to ensure a linked signal to 3x 140mm fans @ 4.62W each (I don't want to have to put the 7v governor cable on them; it'd solve the power issue but hold the fans back on CFM and pressure performance). The hub requires connection to a MB header with a true PWM signal and not a voltage-regulated 4-pin connection. Based on the diagram in the MB manual, this limits connection to either CPU_FAN or CPU_OPT headers. If I have 3x 120mm fans split into the CPU_FAN connection (for use on a Phanteks PH-TC14PE cooler), will I be unable to control the 3x 140mm exhaust fans in Thermal Radar 2 if they're connected to the hub through the CPU_OPT header since CPU_OPT is NOT listed as supporting the Thermal Radar 2 feature?

Issue #3 If it is better to manage fan profiles within the BIOS and skip Thermal Radar 2 altogether, does anyone know if the CPU_OPT has its own control within the BIOS? If so, and I would think it does, does managing the fan profiles in BIOS solve my headaches with Issues #1 and #2 by eliminating the need to potentially overload a CHA_FAN header with >12W of fans or potentially losing fan profile control by connecting them to the hub by way of the CPU_OPT header, which may not be supported by the Thermal Radar 2 software?

I realize this is a very deep-in-the-weeds sort of question and may only be able to be answered by owners of the MB or ASUS Support itself. If anyone in the (THW) community can help answer these questions, GREAT! I'm hoping, though, that you all may be able to tell me that I'm right with Issue #3 and that managing the fans in BIOS is better and therefore Issues #1 and #2 no longer apply (Through BIOS I'd be able to manage my 3x 120mm CPU cooler fans from the CPU_FAN header and my 3x 140mm exhaust fans through the PWM hub connected to the CPU_OPT header, therefore staying under 12W on any channel whether that is the limit or not).

Thanks for reading this far, and a sincere thank you in advance for those who answer this thread.

 

[jsmithepa]

The Mobo manual should be more specific on this, but I think it's safe to assume 12w PER HEADER. If more fans are needed, it's been known folks just attachment them (fixed speed) to the HDD power plugs, or (variable) third party fan controllers.

Advice: when you ask Q next, don't feel the need to squeeze everything in one post, folks don't want to read a book.

 

[SteveKY]

About the fan header,
"Issue #2 Assuming a threshold of 12W for all MB fan headers, "
I have a Saber tooth Mark Z97 Mark1 with a I7 Intel chip. I have been running it about a year. I added a fan to the memory position using CPU opt. Short answer, it killed all three of the top fan header power functions.CPU, CPU opt, and Asst1. Then about a week later the Asst 3 quit.
I can only assume that it melted a power trace some where.
My work around was two part.
1. I supply those fans from a direct to power supply source.
2. I ran the yellow speed sensor wire to the appropriate header on the board. This only allows me to monitor the fan speeds not control speed.
This is not an issue for me as I use a Nzxt KRAKEN water cooler for the CPU. The Kraken has its own sensor and controller. As a side note the Vcore and Vcore back always ran hot on my board, and ASUS never could give a satisfactory answer. I added a fan to blow directly on the VCORE area and now the temp. rarely goes over 45 C, before it would not stay below 60C..