Case Fan Question

[clutchc]

We know that 4-wire 12VDC case fans make use of PWM to control their speed, and that some motherboards can control the speed of 3-wire fans by varying the voltage to the motor. My question is, will a 2-wire fan also be able to have its speed controlled by varying the voltage? I realize the lack of a 3rd wire means there will be no tach feedback to monitor the speed.

 

[inzone]

Yes if you sre connecting it to a fan controller you will be able to adjust the speed and like you said you won't be able to monitor the speed.

 

[clutchc]

Yes if you sre connecting it to a fan controller you will be able to adjust the speed and like you said you won't be able to monitor the speed.

Actually, I was refering to connecting it to the 3-pin CHA FAN connection on the motherboard. Most boards I've used with 3-pin CHA FAN headers vary the speed of 3-wire fans by voltage regulation. Since the 3rd wire is used for speed feedback, I was wondering if 2-wire fans would work the same (but no feedback).

 

[inzone]

Yes. But you may have to disable the monitoring of the fan in the bios so you don't get warning messages.

 

[clutchc]

Good point about the warning msgs. Another thought... the 2 small 60mm fans have Molex connectors. Any problem plugging/wiring the fans together (in parallel) and then into one Molex to 3 pin fan adaptor?

 

[inzone]

It shouldn't be a problem but you don't want to overload the motherboard connector so two would be the limit.

 

[clutchc]

Thanks for the advice. I'm planning a SFF gamer and the case in mind is the Thermaltake Lanbox with 2 60mm and 1 90mm case fans. I'd like to have the board's BIOS lower the fans' speed and noise when full cooling isn't needed. I really don't want to add a fan controller if I don't need to.

 

[inzone]

There are a lot of different types of fan controllers and there are some that fit in the slot in the rear of the case instead of the front and is just a basic knob that you could turn to raise or lower the fan speed.

 

[clutchc]

Best answer selected by clutchc.

 

[nikorr]

This topic has been closed by Nikorr