New Setup, Help With Fans

[nicky.smith.225]

So im in the process of building a new Ryzen build but wanted peoples thoughts on fan connections.

the mobo is a strix x370 and i have the nzxt s340 elite case.

Ive got 2x nzxt 120mm fans that came with the case currently in the top and the rear, ive got the wraith spire cpu cooler and ive got 2x nzxt 140mm aer rgb in the front of the case.

question is what is the best way to wire them to the mobo? splitter to one header?

eventual plan is to go to full liquid but funds dont allow at the moment.

 

[raisonjohn]

Your Asus Strix X370-F has more than enough fan headers (7 total) for all your fans to be connected to the motherboard without using splitters. Of the seven 4-pin fan headers, only four are true PWM headers (CPU_FAN, CPU_OPT, AIO_PUMP, and W_PUMP+), while the three are DC headers (CHA_FAN1, CHA_FAN2, and CHA_FAN3).

The two pre-installed 120mm fans that came with the NZXT S340 are both 3-pin DC fans while the AMD Wraith Spire CPU Cooler is a 4-pin PWM fan.

For the two AER RGB 140mm fans you got, (which are both 4-pin PWM fans), it requires the HUE+ controller for the RGB to function (though fans can spin without the HUE+). The fans are then plugged into that HUE+ controller (both fans can be linked) and as such will only use up one PWM motherboard header. The HUE+ controller itself is then powered via a DC adapter (Molex directly to the PSU) and communicates with the motherboard/CAM software via an available USB2.0 9-pin header (http://blog.nzxt.com/2016/10/how-to-install-nzxt-aer-rgb-fans/).

So, connections would be something like this:

CPU_FAN ---> AMD Wraith Spire CPU Cooler
CHA_FAN1 and/or CHA_FAN2 and/or CHA_FAN3 (whichever you prefer) ---> NZXT 120mm pre-installed fans at rear and top
CPU_OPT ---> NZXT Aer RGB 140mm fans (linked) connected via HUE+ Controller (which in turn is connected via Molex and USB2.0)

 

[nicky.smith.225]

Your Asus Strix X370-F has more than enough fan headers (7 total) for all your fans to be connected to the motherboard without using splitters. Of the seven 4-pin fan headers, only four are true PWM headers (CPU_FAN, CPU_OPT, AIO_PUMP, and W_PUMP+), while the three are DC headers (CHA_FAN1, CHA_FAN2, and CHA_FAN3).

The two pre-installed 120mm fans that came with the NZXT S340 are both 3-pin DC fans while the AMD Wraith Spire CPU Cooler is a 4-pin PWM fan.

For the two AER RGB 140mm fans you got, (which are both 4-pin PWM fans), it requires the HUE+ controller for the RGB to function (though fans can spin without the HUE+). The fans are then plugged into that HUE+ controller (both fans can be linked) and as such will only use up one PWM motherboard header. The HUE+ controller itself is then powered via a DC adapter (Molex directly to the PSU) and communicates with the motherboard/CAM software via an available USB2.0 9-pin header (http://blog.nzxt.com/2016/10/how-to-install-nzxt-aer-rgb-fans/).

So, connections would be something like this:

CPU_FAN ---> AMD Wraith Spire CPU Cooler
CHA_FAN1 and/or CHA_FAN2 and/or CHA_FAN3 (whichever you prefer) ---> NZXT 120mm pre-installed fans at rear and top
CPU_OPT ---> NZXT Aer RGB 140mm fans (linked) connected via HUE+ Controller (which in turn is connected via Molex and USB2.0)

Really appreciate the quick response! So you're saying I only need to connect the first in the series of the 140mm rgb fans to the motherboard and it will power both?

 

[raisonjohn]

Yes, the daisy-chained AER RGB fans will function (will spin) when connected to the motherboard (or a separate fan controller) even without the HUE+, but, if you need RGB lighting (which is why you have such AER RGBs), you need the HUE+ as it is the unit that controls/powers the lighting.
http://blog.nzxt.com/2017/07/answers-to-common-questions-about-nzxt-rgb-products/

 

[nicky.smith.225]

Perfect thanks for all your help, I have the Hue+ so no I'm up and running!