[SOLVED] Fan header names?

[Gang Sabre]

I have been searching for the name to the fan headers on my Dell precision T3610, they are very flat looking. I swapped out my quadro k4000 for an HD 7870, and now need more airflow which means I will have to add an exaust fan. Could someone here point me in the right direction?

 

[COLGeek]

Dell refers to them as system-fan connectors. See page 36 of the Owner's Manual:

https://topics-cdn.dell.com/pdf/precision-t3610-workstation_owners-manual_en-us.pdf

 

[Gang Sabre]

If I were to check amazon.ca, what would I search for? I hadn't seen a connector like that before.

 

[Ravz]

If I were to check amazon.ca, what would I search for? I hadn't seen a connector like that before.

It's a PWM connector. You could search for PWM fans and you'll have a plenty listed in the site.

 

[Gang Sabre]

I realize my only options are finding either an internal USB fan or a fan with the proper connector.

Ravz, I will send a pic of the motherboards connector in a few minutes.

 

[Gang Sabre]

PWM fans always have 4 pins (mine has 3) and forgive me for not posting a picture, I'm not in the mood to upload anything.

 

[MadsModsat]

It's a PWM connector. You could search for PWM fans and you'll have a plenty listed in the site.

It is not a standard PWM connector. Dell uses 5-pins for some reason, and they have designed the fan header in a way that makes it impossible to use a 3 or 4-pin fan.

There are adaptors available though.

 

[Gang Sabre]

MadsModsat, that is awesome, what is the adapter called?

 

[MadsModsat]

MadsModsat, that is awesome, what is the adapter called?

Here an example of one (Amazon)

and another (Ebay)

 

[Ravz]

It is not a standard PWM connector. Dell uses 5-pins for some reason, and they have designed the fan header in a way that makes it impossible to use a 3 or 4-pin fan.

There are adaptors available though.

Umm yeah I noticed that too, but in the motherboard layout it looks like a 4pin PWM, that is why I was confused.

 

[Gang Sabre]

Oh snap, I did not mention that the Psu does not have molex connectors. I guess I could do SATA X2 then SATA to Molex?? The PC in question has a limited Psu.

 

[MadsModsat]

Oh snap, I did not mention that the Psu does not have molex connectors. I guess I could do SATA X2 then SATA to Molex?? The PC in question has a limited Psu.

You don't need Molex or SATA to run a fan off the fan header, even with the adaptor

 

[Ravz]

If you zoom in on the link from COLGeek there are 5-pins.

But just looking at the picture, it is difficult to make out

Yeah it's really hard to see the picture, but if you say so then I must have to agree with your statement.

 

[Ravz]

Oh snap, I did not mention that the Psu does not have molex connectors. I guess I could do SATA X2 then SATA to Molex?? The PC in question has a limited Psu.

The board does its job by providing power to the fans from the connector. So you don't have to worry about it.

 

[Gang Sabre]

Problem solved thank you. All I need is a $1 splitter. Works for me as propriety fans are very expensive anyway.

 

[MadsModsat]

Yeah it's really hard to see the picture, but if you say so then I must have to agree with your statement.

To be fair, I looked again - and the fan header number 19 looks different from CPU fan header with the number 10, which is the one I was referring to.

I deleted my reply, as I can't se number 19 clearly, although I must admit it looks like a 4-pin, like your are saying

 

[Ravz]

To be fair, I looked again - and the fan header number 19 looks different from CPU fan header with the number 10, which is the one I was referring to.

I deleted my reply, as I can't se number 19 clearly, although I must admit it looks like a 4-pin, like your are saying

Lol you're cheeky

 

[MadsModsat]

Lol you're cheeky

I was hoping to delete it before anyone saw it, since I'm clearly wrong. But you were quick, so I had to mention I deleted it and why, otherwise it wouldn't look too good on my part

But this means that I would also suggest that OP takes a second look at all the fan headers and see if it is only the CPU-fan header that is 5-pin, and the rest are 3 or 4-pin, before buying too many adaptors

 

[Ravz]

I was hoping to delete it before you commented on it, since I'm clearly wrong. But you were quick, so I had to mention I deleted it and why, otherwise it wouldn't look too good on my part

 

[SamirD]

...as propriety fans are very expensive anyway.

I've always found used Dell parts dirt cheap. Dell part# 166g7 is <$10 shipped:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-Preci...035445?hash=item5b54b2ea35:g:pvkAAOSwkiZckmYQ

 

[Gang Sabre]

It does depend on who is selling and which PC you are buying parts for. I have a T5500 that has compatibility issues with everything.

 

[SamirD]

It does depend on who is selling and which PC you are buying parts for. I have a T5500 that has compatibility issues with everything.

I have probably over 2-3 dozen Dell products ranging from laptops to servers and every level of desktop in between and spare parts are cheap and easy to find--even for things that are over 10 years old.

Compatibility is a different issue. These are generally semi-standard PCs, depending on what you have. But there's always some proprietary parts, and I haven't found that a bad thing when they're this cheap and reliable. HSF that runs a i7 95w processor vs the stock 65w for $8 shipped--yes please.