Can I power a fan with sata and still have control over the speed?

[jonmtz286]

I have an Optiplex 9010 mini tower. Everything is stock, except I want to replace the original CPU cooler for a Cryorig H7 and I want to add an additional case fan. I have no questions regarding the CPU cooler, but I am a bit concerned about adding a case fan. The PSU is 275W and has no 4 pin molex connectors, only sata connectors. Can sata provide power to a fan? if so, can I control the speed of the fan? I'm asking if sata can power a case fan as the mobo has no additional fan headers except for a cpu and sys fan.
Any suggestions? I would appreciate it. Thanks in advance.

 

[nitinvaid20]

you can only control the gan speed with it is connected to the motherboard CPU or CHASIS FAN connector

 

[Paperdoc]

Adding an extra case fan to a system with only one SYS_FAN header on the mobo is easy. You just need to buy a simple device called a SPLITTER so you can connect both fans to the only header you have. There are some "rules" for this to be sure it will all work.

1. Virtually all mobo fan headers can supply up to 1.0 amps max current to whatever total load is connected. Most common case fans draw 0.1 to 0.25 amps each. Ones with LED's added use more - typically 0.25 to 0.4 amps each. So normally you could connect at least two fans to a single header using a Splitter, sometimes more depending on the fans. If you can, look up the specs of the fan you have and the one you want to add, and verify their max current needs.

2. There are two basic designs of case fans nowadays - 3-pin and 4-pin - and they require different methods of control by the mobo header. To ensure that your new one works, check the existing one. How may wires does it have from the fan motor to the connector (and similarly, how many holes in the connector on the end)? Match that when choosing the new one. So, if your old one has 3 wires, get a 3-pin fan; if old is 4-pin, get a new one as 4-pin.

3. A SPLITTER is a simple device of groups of wires with connectors. It has ONE input arm that has a female (with holes) connector on it that you plug into the mobo header. Then it has two (sometimes three) output arms, each with a male (with pins) connector into which you plug your fans. It has NO other arms or connectors. A HUB is a similar-looking device but very different. It has those arms, PLUS a third type that must plug into a power output connector (either 4-pin Molex or SATA) from the PSU. A Hub can only work with a true 4-pin fan system, and is used mainly when you need lots of power for many fans. You do not, so get the SPLITTER.

4. 3-pin Splitters are getting hard to find, but lots of 4-pin Splitters are available. A 4-pin Splitter will do what you want, and it does not matter whether your fans and headers are 3-pin or 4-pin. The connectors will fit, and the electrical connections will work properly.