Question Is it okay to plug multiple fans in to one PWM motherboard header ?

[Daynhg]

Hi.

Just double checking.

I am pretty sure this is ok, as I read the the headers are max current 1 amp. Asus Z790-E
And the fans are.
Noctua NF-A14 140mm.
Input current (typical) 0,1 A
Max. input current 0,13 A

Noctua NF-A12 120mm
Input current (typical) 0,1 A
Max. input current 0,14 A

Just making sure it ok to daisy chain 3 or 4 into one header?
And the other same amount into another single header?

Or is it not advisable ?

Thank you for any help, and feedback.

 

[JohnBonhamsGhost]

it wouldn't cause any damage or other issues with the board or fan.
but if these headers aren't actually putting out their full rated amperage at all times then you may have issues with fans cutting out, losing PWM signal and going full blast, or other problems with single or multiple fans.

ok to daisy chain 3 or 4 into one header?

i've never seen the basic NF-A** models allowing for straight daisy chaining.
do you mean using splitters or is this some separate model of the NF series?

 

[Daynhg]

Thank you JohnBonhamsGhost

Sorry yes I meant using splitters, like the Y cables that came with the fans.

1 quick, odd sounding question.
If I bought a SATA powered fan hub.
Something like this.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/ARCTIC-Pro...8611&sprefix=sata+power+fan+hub,aps,66&sr=8-2

Would it cost more to run, (electricity) as the hub is being powered by SATA, than plugging the fans directly into the MB, via splitters?
Again I know this sounds odd. But I'm trying to keep the actual running cost as little as possible, as the PC is on pretty much all day, every day.

Thank you for the help.
Its really appreciated.

 

[JohnBonhamsGhost]

Would it cost more to run, (electricity) as the hub is being powered by SATA

even with all 6 fans being accessed 24hrs a day i seriously doubt there would be any noticeable difference on the next power bill.


the only downside i would consider is that all of the connected fans are going to be running off of the same PWM signal so there will be no way to differentiate the RPMs for the different fans.
maybe consider getting 2 hubs, if you have a second header available, so you could have one set for intake and the other for exhaust with different speed curves in place.

 

[beyondlogic]

Thank you JohnBonhamsGhost

Sorry yes I meant using splitters, like the Y cables that came with the fans.

1 quick, odd sounding question.
If I bought a SATA powered fan hub.
Something like this.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/ARCTIC-Pro-Gen-Ultrawide-Adjustment/dp/B087FY5CNT/ref=sr_1_2?crid=TE2TC4JEKP65&keywords=sata+power+fan+hub&qid=1691878611&sprefix=sata+power+fan+hub,aps,66&sr=8-2

Would it cost more to run, (electricity) as the hub is being powered by SATA, than plugging the fans directly into the MB, via splitters?
Again I know this sounds odd. But I'm trying to keep the actual running cost as little as possible, as the PC is on pretty much all day, every day.

Thank you for the help.
Its really appreciated.

that fan splitter should be fine the 4 pin on the motherboard wont get strained as it will only be providing a signal to the hub the power will be provided by a sata connection ( or hardrive connector) this will plug into your sata cable on a drive cable for your psu

 

[JohnBonhamsGhost]

the 4 pin on the motherboard wont get strained as it will only be providing a signal to the hub the power will be provided by a sata connection

the question @Daynhg is asking about this fan hub that you have quoted is will it be drawing more electricity than any other possible method due to the extra SATA power draw.
and would that extra electricity drawn raise their power bill.

nothing regarding whether if it will be straining the motherboard.

 

[beyondlogic]

the question @Daynhg is asking about this fan hub that you have quoted is will it be drawing more electricity than any other possible method due to the extra SATA power draw.
and would that extra electricity drawn raise their power bill.

nothing regarding whether if it will be straining the motherboard.

(Just making sure it ok to daisy chain 3 or 4 into one header?
And the other same amount into another single header?

Or is it not advisable.

Thank you for any help, and feedback.)

he literally asked that at the start of the post.

the power wise each fan from what i can gather draws a max of 1.5-2 watts according to what i could find about them

NF-A14 PWM

The NF-A14 is a premium quality quiet 140mm fan with a square frame that complies with Noctua’s AAO (Advanced Acoustic Optimisation) standard. Its square shape and 140mm mounting holes (124.5mm spacing) make it ideal for use on watercooling radiators or as an upgrade for 140mm case fans...

noctua.at

NF-A12x25 PWM

The NF-A12x25 is a highly optimised next-generation 120mm fan that integrates Noctua’s latest innovations in aerodynamic engineering in order to achieve an unprecedented level of quiet cooling performance. It takes state-of-the-art technologies such as the AAO (Advanced Acoustic Optimisation)...

noctua.at

i say 2 watts cause not all fans are equal i have 2 fans in my own case same make and each fan draws different wattage at max load

 

[simmyx]

I heard upto 3 on one header is fine

 

[Daynhg]

beyondlogic JohnBonhamsGhost​

Sorry guys.

I didnt mean to cause any confusion.

I didnt ask the questions very well. Sorry about that.

What I was trying to say was. (said hopefully better below.)

1- I first asked if you could run 3 PWM fans off 1 header safely? Using the Y splitters.

2- And then as a second question, after saw that you can buy SATA fan hubs,
I bought one it just arrived. It was only 7 pounds. But I may not use it.
Because I wanted to know would it cost use more electricity. (money) to run the fans from a hub, as it is being powered by SATA. than just plugging (using splitters) them into the MB?

Thank you for all of the excellent help.

And thank you simmyx

 

[Math Geek]

the fan(s) will pull the same power no matter how they are plugged in. power is drawn not pushed, meaning you could hook it up to a 20000w supply and it would still only use the watt or 2 it normally uses.

so no the hub or the mobo won't change actual power draw for each fan no matter how much is actually available to it above its rated draw.

 

[Daynhg]

Thank you Math Geek​

I really appreciate the help.

2 very quick follwon questions. I hope you dont mind.

1- So the hub itself doesnt use any power?

2- I am ust finishing this off, I havnt used the hub yet due to not knowing te answer to question 1.
But I was using Y splitters that came with the Noctua PWM fans, and just noticed, some of them have on one end 3 pins, and on the other end pins, on the same splitter.
Does this make any difference?

Thank you again.

 

[Paperdoc]

This regards question 2 above.

Any fan header can accept from its fan only ONE speed signal sent back on Pin #3. (The signal is pulses, 2 per revolution, to be counted.) More than one fans' signal pulse train causes big errors. So any Splitter or Hub will send back to its host header the speed signal from only ONE of its fans. In the case of a Splittter that looks like several cable "arms" with male outputs, only ONE of them will have all 4 pins. The others all are missing Pin #3, so only that one can send the fan's signal back. When you use such a device you must plug one fan into the only output that sends back a speed signal. The speeds of all fans on the other outputs are simply ignored and never "seen". Then YOU should check the fans from time to time to be sure all still are operating.

 

[Math Geek]

thanks for the thorough answer. had to run some errands and did not see the follow up question

if the hub uses any power it'll be so minimal as to be non existent.

honestly as others have said, the fan power usage is so minimal you don't even have to worry about it. the only reason to spend so much effort thinking about it is if you literally have a situation where you are using 100% of the psu at all times and even one extra watt would burn the whole thing to the ground. lol

this is of course totally not gonna happen so this is one piece of the pc puzzle not worth spending any more time worrying about. my pc stays on 24/7 and has for many many years. i have never even considered fans into the equation when wondering of power needs nor costs.

 

[JohnBonhamsGhost]

he literally asked that at the start of the post.

then from now on quote the actual post you are providing an answer to and not just any random question in the thread.