Fan capacity of ASRock Z97 Extreme6/ac and UEFI control

[PCMIKE]

This is going to be my first build so I'm a total noob other than what I've learned from researching. I'll be pairing the ASRock Z97 Extreme6/ac with a Fractal Design Define R5. I've decided to cool the CPU with the Corsair H110i GT which leaves me with 5 to 6 available places to add case fans. I'll be using M.2 and dedicated 2.5" SSD mounts behind the mobo which allows me to remove all of the drive cages. However, I'm not sure how all of the fans will connect. I can't find any specs or reviews that say how many 3-pin and 4-pin PWM connectors there are on the mobo. I think the H110i GT will need two PWM connectors for the included PWM fans (correct me if I'm wrong) and I don't even know if the mobo has this. Will I need Y-cables/splitters (can I even use them)? Please help.

Also, I know almost nothing about this mobo's UEFI and how it will end up controlling the fans. If someone could please tell me about it or link me to a relevant threat, I would much appreciate it.

 

[hwc1954]

Just from looking at the manual:

2 CPU fan headers (one 4-pin PWM and one 3-pin)

3 CHASSIS fan headers (one 4-pin PWM and two 3-pin)

1 POWER fan header (3pin)

It looks like all of the 3-pin headers except the POWER fan header are variable voltage for auto speed control. The two PWM headers are variable speed. I assume that you will be able to set up automatic temperature based fan speed curves/profiles in the UEFI or other software. Fans speed up when the CPU gets hot, slow down when things are cool.

I'd run the two radiator fans off the CPU 4-pin header with a simple 4-pin fan splitter.

If I were buying fans, I would purchase the first four chassis fans as 4-pin PWM fans and use one of these splitter to run them all off the 4-pin CHASSIS fan header.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DYQRFY6

If I needed more than 4 chassis fans (I can't imagine why), I would start figuring out the 3-pin voltage controlled headers.

I know nothing about water cooling, but I think the pump has its own temperature sensor and needs to be powered by a constant +12V. So either a molex to the PSU or that POWER fan header would be a good place for that.

 

[PCMIKE]

Just from looking at the manual:

2 CPU fan headers (one 4-pin PWM and one 3-pin)

3 CHASSIS fan headers (one 4-pin PWM and two 3-pin)

1 POWER fan header (3pin)

It looks like all of the 3-pin headers except the POWER fan header are variable voltage for auto speed control. The two PWM headers are variable speed. I assume that you will be able to set up automatic temperature based fan speed curves/profiles in the UEFI or other software. Fans speed up when the CPU gets hot, slow down when things are cool.

I'd run the two radiator fans off the CPU 4-pin header with a simple 4-pin fan splitter.

If I were buying fans, I would purchase the first four chassis fans as 4-pin PWM fans and use one of these splitter to run them all off the 4-pin CHASSIS fan header.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DYQRFY6

If I needed more than 4 chassis fans (I can't imagine why), I would start figuring out the 3-pin voltage controlled headers.

I know nothing about water cooling, but I think the pump has its own temperature sensor and needs to be powered by a constant +12V. So either a molex to the PSU or that POWER fan header would be a good place for that.

Thanks! This helps A LOT. I'll definitely look into getting more PWM fans > 3-pin fans.