Noctua 140mm iPPC fans on Y-cable fan splitter

[Ricardo Nixon]

Hi guys,
I'm going to replace all the fans in my computer with Noctua 140mm iPPC fans, and since there are 5 fans to replace, I need to use Y-fan splitters to be able to have my motherboard fan headers accomodate all the fans. However, since Noctua iPPC fans are extremely high-performance fans and require more power than regular fans to run, I worry that two Noctua fans connected to one system fan header via a Y-fan splitter will be too much for the system fan header to handle. Will I be able to run 2 140mm iPPC fans off one header? Thanks a lot!

P.S.
The exact model of the fans that I am looking to buy :
Noctua NF-A14 industrialPPC-3000 PWM

The fan splitters I am using:
Noctua NA-SYC1

 

[clutchc]

A bit too close to the usual max current carrying capacity of most boards' fan headers' 1A. Each fan has a LR current of 0.55 amp. You could probably get by tho, if the manufacturers of the board and fans have put an over-rating tolerance in their specs... for safety sake. But personally, I wouldn't do it. Not on a system I depended on, anyway. Not unless you can get the board manufacturer to tell you the header max current capacity is greater than 1A.

 

[Mr5oh]

I have five of those fans in my case actually (plus two more on the heatsink). I'm not really all that impressed with them compared to my previous fans, but that's another matter. Either way, the fans themselves, are labeled, 12v, 1.56w - 0.13a.

If I remember correctly the fans come with the splitters too. I have an entire box full of Noctua cables from all the fans I ordered for my latest build. Noctua splitters, extensions, low noise adapters etc. However I think it says something that even Noctua gives you a splitter in the box.

They used to have another model fan that during startup could draw slightly more power, but I couldn't find a any reviews that stated the NF-A14 drew more power than 0.13a, which would place two of them still in the safe range? It also still places a single one of them drawing less power than most other 140mm fans.

 

[Paperdoc]

clutchc has the right answer: at 0.55A max current each, two of them on one header exceeds the max current available of 1.0 A, so you are risking dama ge to your mobo.

Mr5oh, the NF-A14 PWM fan at 0.13 A max is NOT the same as the NF-A14 iPPC 3000 PWM fan that OP linked to.

OP, more details, please. You linked to particular fans that are 4-pin PWM design. Now, IF your mobo SYS_FAN headers really do use the PWM Mode of control, you may be able to do what you want well by using a 4-pin fan HUB instead of Splitters. Tell us exactly what maker and model number is your mobo?

 

[Mr5oh]

clutchc has the right answer: at 0.55A max current each, two of them on one header exceeds the max current available of 1.0 A, so you are risking dama ge to your mobo.

Mr5oh, the NF-A14 PWM fan at 0.13 A max is NOT the same as the NF-A14 iPPC 3000 PWM fan that OP linked to.

Well I messed that one up....

 

[Paperdoc]

Yeah, I've made my share of goofs here!

 

[clutchc]

You guys are amateurs compared to the brain farts I've put my name to here... :/

 

[Paperdoc]

This negative bragging is sure to inspire OP's confidence in the advice we give! OP, we are better than we are confessing (I think?)

 

[clutchc]

This negative bragging is sure to inspire OP's confidence in the advice we give! OP, we are better than we are confessing (I think?)

Good point. Yes we are. (but even Einstein had to use his eraser)

 

[Ricardo Nixon]

clutchc has the right answer: at 0.55A max current each, two of them on one header exceeds the max current available of 1.0 A, so you are risking dama ge to your mobo.

Mr5oh, the NF-A14 PWM fan at 0.13 A max is NOT the same as the NF-A14 iPPC 3000 PWM fan that OP linked to.

OP, more details, please. You linked to particular fans that are 4-pin PWM design. Now, IF your mobo SYS_FAN headers really do use the PWM Mode of control, you may be able to do what you want well by using a 4-pin fan HUB instead of Splitters. Tell us exactly what maker and model number is your mobo?

I am upgrading my computer to an i7 8700k, so I have yet to purchase a motherboard. Currently, I'm waiting for the EVGA Z370 Classified K mobo to release so I can buy it. Since the user manual hasn't come out for that motherboard, I don't think anyone can be sure of the exact specifications of. the SYS_FAN fan headers. However, the EVGA Z370 FTW and Z370 Micro ATX motherboards can have their user manuals accessed from the manufacturer website, and I'm pretty sure they will have the same SYS_FAN fan headers that will be installed on the yet-to-release EVGA Z370 Classified K.

 

[clutchc]

Manufacturers rarely list the current carrying capacity of their fan headers. One amp is just a commonly known capacity many have spec'd out over the years. Your best bet would be to contact Evga if you really need to know.

 

[Ricardo Nixon]

Manufacturers rarely list the current carrying capacity of their fan headers. One amp is just a commonly known capacity many have spec'd out over the years. Your best bet would be to contact Evga if you really need to know.

Ok, well just to be safe, I think I'll go ahead and get a powered PWM fan hub since it'll definitely be able to run 5 Noctua fans at max RPM. I think the Silverstone CPF04 fan hub will suffice. Now the question is if it will sit flush on the back of my Fractal Design Define C....

Anyways, thanks all of you for the feedback!

 

[Paperdoc]

Yes, that's the right way. I am sure that mobo will provide the option of PWM Mode control on at least one of its SYS_FAN headers, so your Hub can get the required PWM signal. The Hub's website says its total power limit is that of its SATA power source, which is 4.5 A. Your five fans will pull 2.75 A, so no problem. Note that ONE of those fans must be plugged into the specially-marked Port #1 of the Hub.