Fan controlling with splitter

[HelpMeWithThis]

Hi!

On my mobo (ASRock z170 proS) I got 1 sys fan port so I bought a fan splitter (1 to 4). I got 3x 3 pin fans. When I do my molex header in my psu molex the fans go 100% all the time. I can't control them with speedfan (with 1 fan directly I can).

Do I need to change my molex to 7 volt one (with 12 and 5 volt combined) or can I do this easier?

My PC is running between 20 en 25 degrees Celsius and want my fans not so loud.

Thanks!

 

[Snipergod87]

You need to connect it to your motherboard, not to a Molex off the power supply, otherwise they will run at 100% without any control.

 

[dudmont]

2(maybe 3) good ways to control fan speeds. 1) If you have PWM fan headers on your mobo(yes you can use splitters, I do, there's nothing to fear, unless you're using monster fans, like really powerfull Deltas). 2) An external fan controller that has fan speed control in it. 3) If your case has a fan hub that also has speed control built in(does your's have this?).
Depending on the fans, you can safely use a 2-1 fan splitter, and a possible 3-1 splitter(so long as the fans aren't really big power draws). Your fan 4 pin header can handle about .5 amps. Most fans use less than or equal to .2 amps. I'm going to suggest you hook all your fans to your mobo, after looking at your mobo's webpage, you have plenty of 4 pin PWM headers(you can safely hook 3 pin fans to 4 pin fan headers, no worries on that). You'll be able to set you fan profile in your bios and I think you'll be pleased

 

[scout_03]

the other thing check if the amp draw do not ovecome you board power with 3 fans usualy we dont put more then 2 fan on a splitter with a board header or get a fan controller so you could do what you want .

 

[gasaraki]

the other thing check if the amp draw do not ovecome you board power with 3 fans usualy we dont put more then 2 fan on a splitter with a board header or get a fan controller so you could do what you want .

He said the power was from molex... jeez

 

[scout_03]

those adaptor are made to be connect to the motherboard header they have resistor in that reduce voltage not to be use on molex .

 

[HelpMeWithThis]

You need to connect it to your motherboard, not to a Molex off the power supply, otherwise they will run at 100% without any control.

When I dont connect it to my psu nothing happens, even not when running on 1 fan

(sorry for the downvote, cant undo for some reason)

 

[HelpMeWithThis]

the other thing check if the amp draw do not ovecome you board power with 3 fans usualy we dont put more then 2 fan on a splitter with a board header or get a fan controller so you could do what you want .

When I dont connect it to my psu nothing happens, even not when running on 1 fan..?
I got this splitter: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gelid-Solutions-PWM-Fan-Splitter/dp/B0067LWQ1C

 

[scout_03]

if you plug in only one fan in the header without the splitter it does not work also link us to the 1x4 splitter .

 

[JackNaylorPE]

1. In this day and age, we no longer recommend splitters..... quality is low as folks by cheapest one they can find and they just fugly. They work just fine tho with DCV. With PWM you need a special splitter and it has to be wired correctly ... on a cable that splits into 4 fans, 3 of them need to have the 4th wore disabled.

2. Your MoBo Header is usually limited to 1 amp ... but due to start up current inrush, ya wanna stay below that ... for 1200 rpm fans (0.14 amps typical), you can use 6 ... at 1800 rpm (0.16 amp) I wouldn't go over 4.

3. Bay mounted fan controllers I just don't get ... I don't want to have to manually adjust fan speeds all day lone.

4. Today, the best way to control fan speeds is via a fan hub. Eliminates the cabe clutter and more reliable. These come on several flavors.

PWM - Swiftech for PWM control of 4 pin fans
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIAAXT4V60523

DCV - ModMyToys for direct current voltage control of 3 pin fans
http://www.performance-pcs.com/modmytoys-3-pin-power-distribution-pcb-5-way-block.html

Hybrid - Phanteks for PWM control of 3 pin fans ... this option has all of the advantages of PWM and none of the drawbacks. Can be used for DCV control of DCV 3 pin fans or PWM control of up to 11 fans
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIAE3060P0642

I prefer the Phanteks solution

 

[HelpMeWithThis]

1. In this day and age, we no longer recommend splitters..... quality is low as folks by cheapest one they can find and they just fugly. They work just fine tho with DCV. With PWM you need a special splitter and it has to be wired correctly ... on a cable that splits into 4 fans, 3 of them need to have the 4th wore disabled.

2. Your MoBo Header is usually limited to 1 amp ... but due to start up current inrush, ya wanna stay below that ... for 1200 rpm fans (0.14 amps typical), you can use 6 ... at 1800 rpm (0.16 amp) I wouldn't go over 4.

3. Bay mounted fan controllers I just don't get ... I don't want to have to manually adjust fan speeds all day lone.

4. Today, the best way to control fan speeds is via a fan hub. Eliminates the cabe clutter and more reliable. These come on several flavors.

PWM - Swiftech for PWM control of 4 pin fans
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIAAXT4V60523

DCV - ModMyToys for direct current voltage control of 3 pin fans
http://www.performance-pcs.com/modmytoys-3-pin-power-distribution-pcb-5-way-block.html

Hybrid - Phanteks for PWM control of 3 pin fans ... this option has all of the advantages of PWM and none of the drawbacks. Can be used for DCV control of DCV 3 pin fans or PWM control of up to 11 fans
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIAE3060P0642

I prefer the Phanteks solution

I got 2x corsair af120 (0.8 each) and 1x af120 LED (0.4 A) <--- both 3 pin, if I get that phanteks controller can I control my fans and can I send my splitter back to the shop?

Thanks

 

[JackNaylorPE]

http://www.corsair.com/en-us/air-series-af120-quiet-edition-high-airflow-120mm-fan-twin-pack

http://www.corsair.com/en-us/air-series-af120-led-blue-quiet-edition-high-airflow-120mm-fan-twin-pack

Power Draw = 1500 rpm 0.40 A


2 x 0.08 + 0.40 = 0.56 amps so amp wise you are fine.

They all operate from 7 - 12v which is a bit tight.

However, your MoBo has more fan headers than you think:

1 x CPU Fan Connector (4-pin) (Smart Fan Speed Control)
3 x Chassis Fan Connectors (2 x 4-pin, 1 x 3-pin) (Smart Fan Speed Control)

http://asrock.pc.cdn.bitgravity.com/Manual/Z170%20Pro4S.pdf

See Items 17, 18 and 26 on page 6

Page 4 says:

3 x Chassis Fan Connectors (2 x 4-pin, 1 x 3-pin) (Smart Fan Speed Control)
* CPU_FAN1 and CHA_FAN1 can auto detect if 3-pin or 4-pin fan is in use

So you have all 3 Chassis Fan headers to use for your 3 pin fans and don't need anything

 

[HelpMeWithThis]

http://www.corsair.com/en-us/air-series-af120-quiet-edition-high-airflow-120mm-fan-twin-pack

http://www.corsair.com/en-us/air-series-af120-led-blue-quiet-edition-high-airflow-120mm-fan-twin-pack

Power Draw = 1500 rpm 0.40 A


2 x 0.08 + 0.40 = 0.56 amps so amp wise you are fine.

They all operate from 7 - 12v which is a bit tight.

However, your MoBo has more fan headers than you think:

1 x CPU Fan Connector (4-pin) (Smart Fan Speed Control)
3 x Chassis Fan Connectors (2 x 4-pin, 1 x 3-pin) (Smart Fan Speed Control)

http://asrock.pc.cdn.bitgravity.com/Manual/Z170%20Pro4S.pdf

See Items 17, 18 and 26 on page 6

Page 4 says:

3 x Chassis Fan Connectors (2 x 4-pin, 1 x 3-pin) (Smart Fan Speed Control)
* CPU_FAN1 and CHA_FAN1 can auto detect if 3-pin or 4-pin fan is in use

So you have all 3 Chassis Fan headers to use for your 3 pin fans and don't need anything

Yes I know but with Speedfan I can only control chassis fan 1 (under "sys"). Somehow chassis 2 and 3 dont work, they just go 100% all the time..

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Speedfan is for when your MoBo doesn't come with it's own fan speed control utility. Speedfan is a very limited substitute for what the on board utility will do.

See page 33 and 72-3 of your manual

"Configure up to five different fan speeds using the graph. The fans will automatically shift to the next speed level when the assigned temperature is met."

Fan-Tastic Tuning

Select a fan mode for CPU Fans 1&2, or choose Customize to set 5 CPU
temperatures and assign a respective fan speed for each temperature.
CPU Fan 1 Setting
Select a fan mode for CPU Fans 1, or choose Customize to set 5 CPU temperatures
and assign a respective fan speed for each temperature.
Chassis Fan 1 Setting
Select a fan mode for Chassis Fan 1, or choose Customize to set 5 CPU temperatures
and assign a respective fan speed for each temperature.
Chassis Fan 1 Temp Source
Select a fan temperature source for Chassis Fan 1.
Chassis Fan 2 Setting
Select a fan mode for Chassis Fan 2, or choose Customize to set 5 CPU temperatures
and assign a respective fan speed for each temperature
Chassis Fan 2 Temp Source
Select a fan temperature source for Chassis Fan 2.
Over Temperature Protection
When Over Temperature Protection is enabled, the system automatically shuts
down when the motherboard is overheated.

As an analogy

Speedfan - http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/productImages/400_compressed/26/26937bb1-ea20-4aa6-ad52-7c559e230ab2_400_compressed.jpg

MoBo Utility - http://www2.lagunatools.com/l/30162/2017-06-09/6tk6kq/30162/142033/iq_desktop_cnc.png

 

[HelpMeWithThis]

Speedfan is for when your MoBo doesn't come with it's own fan speed control utility. Speedfan is a very limited substitute for what the on board utility will do.

See page 33 and 72-3 of your manual

"Configure up to five different fan speeds using the graph. The fans will automatically shift to the next speed level when the assigned temperature is met."

Fan-Tastic Tuning

Select a fan mode for CPU Fans 1&2, or choose Customize to set 5 CPU
temperatures and assign a respective fan speed for each temperature.
CPU Fan 1 Setting
Select a fan mode for CPU Fans 1, or choose Customize to set 5 CPU temperatures
and assign a respective fan speed for each temperature.
Chassis Fan 1 Setting
Select a fan mode for Chassis Fan 1, or choose Customize to set 5 CPU temperatures
and assign a respective fan speed for each temperature.
Chassis Fan 1 Temp Source
Select a fan temperature source for Chassis Fan 1.
Chassis Fan 2 Setting
Select a fan mode for Chassis Fan 2, or choose Customize to set 5 CPU temperatures
and assign a respective fan speed for each temperature
Chassis Fan 2 Temp Source
Select a fan temperature source for Chassis Fan 2.
Over Temperature Protection
When Over Temperature Protection is enabled, the system automatically shuts
down when the motherboard is overheated.

As an analogy

Speedfan - http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/productImages/400_compressed/26/26937bb1-ea20-4aa6-ad52-7c559e230ab2_400_compressed.jpg

MoBo Utility - http://www2.lagunatools.com/l/30162/2017-06-09/6tk6kq/30162/142033/iq_desktop_cnc.png

hmmm, this is almost it. When Im in the menu of fan tastic the chassis 3 in not there, I can do 1 and 2 but not 3 :/

 

[JackNaylorPE]

CPU_FAN1 and CHA_FAN1 can auto detect if 3-pin or 4-pin fan is in use ... so this is where ya put the 2 fans (0.08 amps). The 3 pin 0.4 amp fan goes on CHA 3 (page 22)

Lil old but even back then you cud control CHA 3 ... see 2:30 mark

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMtxbmhVRNI

From your manual

FAN-Tastic Tuning
Configure up to five different fan speeds using the graph. The fans will automatically shift
to the next speed level when the assigned temperature is met.

6:00 minute mark via BIOS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNjcLhtuGnE

If course you cud keep the splitter and gang the two 0.08 amp fans on a single header.

 

[HelpMeWithThis]

CPU_FAN1 and CHA_FAN1 can auto detect if 3-pin or 4-pin fan is in use ... so this is where ya put the 2 fans (0.08 amps). The 3 pin 0.4 amp fan goes on CHA 3 (page 22)

Lil old but even back then you cud control CHA 3 ... see 2:30 mark

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMtxbmhVRNI

From your manual

FAN-Tastic Tuning
Configure up to five different fan speeds using the graph. The fans will automatically shift
to the next speed level when the assigned temperature is met.

6:00 minute mark via BIOS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNjcLhtuGnE

If course you cud keep the splitter and gang the two 0.08 amp fans on a single header.

https://imgur.com/a/XHWqD See picture, for some reason cha 3 is not there and when I use fan tastic tuning my fans speed wont change..

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Without sitting in front of it, not sure I can help... jump on ASR's tech support and ask WTH ?

None of the fans or just CHA 3 wont change ? Corsair's PWM fans are kbown to have speed control issues but I hadn't heard anything about their DCV models.

 

[HelpMeWithThis]

@JackNaylorPE

So I found out that on the ASRock z170 pro4s cha_fan1 and cpu_fan are only PWM supported and cha_fan2/3 are for 3 pin voltage fans..

You talked earlier about the phanteks controller, can't I just connect that one to my cha_fan1 and all my fans to the phanteks? Or is there a better option?

 

[dudmont]

Use fan splitters on your 2 4 pin pwm headers, it's really simple. you already have 1. I use several, as I said(noctuas and silverstones). I've never had an issue. I always ask people who try to talk people out of using them, if they've ever used 1.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

That's not what the manual says. With Z87 all 4 pin headers were supposed to be PWM, it didn't happen even tho the manuals said it was. I have not seen a single Z97, Z70 or Z270 board that was not auto sensing or at least manual switch for every header other than the PWR one.

The Phanteks works on any header. PWM header works with up to 30 watts w/ the supplied power cable. You can use either PWM or DCV with your 3 fans (0.40 + 2 x 0.08 = 0.56 amps)