[SOLVED] Need help with fan splitters on motherboard (Y adapter)

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austin199

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Nov 26, 2017
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Hi, i have an older motherboard and i have only one cpu fan header and one chassis fan header on my motherboard. I do have a splitter for my intake and exhaust fan but i would like to add one more intake fan but that would require that i buy a 4 pin Y adapter that has a 4 pin female for the motherboard and 3 and 4 pin male connectors on the other end to connect the fans to.

Here is the link to the product -
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812987008&cm_re=phantek_fan_adapter-_-12-987-008-_-Product

Will my motherboard be alright if i also use a splitter on the cpu fan connector? The adapter in the link above is a 4 pin female, to a 3 pin and a 4 pin. So i would just plug the cpu cooler into the 4 pin and the additional case fan to the 3 pin. Will this hurt any components or will it be alright to run two fan splitters?

This link below is to the pictures of my motherboard and fan connections if you would like to see them.
https://imgur.com/a/92Ce1

Thank you for your time.
 
Solution
Splitters should be fine. If you want to use a single chassis fan header and split that into 3 fans, that should be ok. Don't use a splitter off a splitter. Use something like:

https://www.pccasegear.com/products/35671

What's important is not to overload the header. Most headers support up to 1Amp power. Some headers are souped up to support 3Amp. But you will need to check your manual to confirm that. So, check your fans for their amp rating, add them all up. If it's under 1Amp you should be good to go. If the amp rating of all the fans is approaching 1Amp, then maybe not. Always leave a bit of headroom just in case.

I kind of feel that the CPU fan header should be just for the CPU.... but that's just me.


I hardly ever watch my PM or answer on it... But you can try.
I would normaly advice one to post a new thread also by the simple fact that there are several days I am not by the computer and it can then take some time before I answer.