GA-8PE667 Mobo & Fan headers

[Steve_in_VA]

I plan to use the Gigabyte GA-8PE667Ultra in an upgrade, and I'm confused by the fan connectors on the board. Am I correct in assuming that the SYS_FAN "sense" pin is for input from a fan that provides rotation information (like the P/S fan), so the BIOS can monitor rotation speed? I want to connect a case fan, but there doesn't appear to be way for the motherboard to control its speed, so I assume I want a "smart fan" that would connect to the PWR_FAN connector. (But if the PWR_FAN has no sense pin, how come the manual shows the BIOS as monitoring its fan speed?)

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by Steve_in_VA on 01/01/03 07:03 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[o1die]

That pin is for the power supply. Certain antec and enermax power supplies have a blue wire with 3 pin connector for monitoring fan speed only. The smart fan feature works off one of the atx wires on the 20 pin connector.

 

[phr0ze]

Not sure what you really are trying to ask/do.
Typical motherboards will provide you with Three white fan connectors each with 3 pins. Usually the only one you should worry about getting right is the CPU fan. THe other connectors you can use for any other fan. The 3rd pin on those connectors is to monitor rotations (And even the cheapest fans support this) But this is just to monitor. Typically the motherboard doesn't adjust your fan speeds. If you don't have enough connectors on your motherboard you can get a fan that will plug into a Molex connector (the connector used for most drives) or you can get an adapter that can do this too. I Never recommend getting a splitter for the mobo connector.

Basically Unless noise is a SERIOUS concern, I wouldn't get a smart fan. Smart fans speed up at preset temperatures which may not be as low as the threshold you keep your case temp. Just get some quality ball bearing fans and they'll always run at full speed. Most people have a hard time with fan life due to dust so why blow expensive smart fans.


GL

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phr0Ze