Where do all the cables connect to?

[Ertrius]

I can`t describe how frustrated I`m getting trying to figure out which cables to use and where they connect. The manuals are not helpful at all. They don`t identify the cable by markings or say where it goes. All you get is a picture of the plug and connector that tells you what type of connector it is. Big help.
I don`t see where all the fans connect or which connector on the motherboard they go to. Same with the power cables. Which ones do I use, and where do they connect. This is ridiculous when there is no instructions for connections or marking the cables, but it was so simple to assemble the components in the case and motherboard.
I watched a handful of videos on YouTube, but the videos are not clear on which cable they are using or where they are connecting it.
I got so frustrated with it, I just quit and walked away from it.

 

[Robert Cook]

okay what is your power supply and motherboard?

 

[mdsiu]

Let's start at the beginning. What are you trying to install at this point?

 

[unksol]

Use your eyes. They only got one way.

 

[Ertrius]

Well, the components I have are:
Asus Maximus VIII Extreme Motherboard
Corsair H110i CPU Cooler
Corsair 780T Case
Zotac Amp Extreme 980ti GPU
EVGA 1000 P2 Powe Supply

There are a total of 5 fans. 2 on the CPU cooler, 2 on the front panel, and one on the rear panel. The CPU cooler manual says to connect the 3 pin pump RPM connector to the CPU fan power header. I only see four pin fan connectors on my mobo. Then I don`t where the pump power header connects to the PSU. It says SATA on that connector coming from the cooler header.
I even skipped that part and tried to move on with other wiring and I cannot figure out where anything goes or which cables to use.

 

[Robert Cook]

Use your eyes. They only got one way.

now that is not even helpful...

 

[Robert Cook]

okay for the cooler the plug should have two lines on it and the 4 pin fan header should have a plastic protrusion, that should fit right in between the two lines on the plug. in other words, it will make it so that you cannot put the plug on the wrong three pins. so just find the header near the CPU socket that says water pump. it is straight up above the socket. does that line up with what you see?

 

[Ertrius]

Okay, I think i got it right. The 2, 4 wire cooler fans are plugged into the the 2, 4 wire header connectors coming from the CPU header. The other 3 pin connector is plugged into the motherboard conn. marked water pump. I have one question about that wire though. It is a 3pin connector, but there is only 1 wire in the plug. Is this done correctly? Now, all that`s left on the cooler header to be connected is the USB cable and the wide SATA cable.
Rob, I want to thanks for the explanation on this so far, but I have to stop now. I`m so tired from trying to figure this out all day, and I have to get up real early for work tomorrow. I`ll post for more help tomorrow. Thanks Rob.

 

[Robert Cook]

no problem just post on this thread when you are around tomorrow so that I do not lose it. that single cable is fine, the pump is drawing power from the sata connector, and using the PWM signal from the motherboard for speed control.

 

[Ertrius]

Use your eyes. They only got one way.

I was not asking how they connect together, I`m asking where the cables connect and to what?

 

[Ertrius]

Do I use a power supply cable that has 3 SATA (USB) connectors on it, and the other end has a 6 pin connector, and use this cable to connect the pump power header to the PSU? Does it matter which SATA plug I use on the PSU? There are 4 SATA`s on the PSU.

I am also unsure how to connect the reset switch from the I/O panel. On the mobo there are 3 pins for the reset switch. Pins 1 and three are +3v and ground. The middle pin is not used. But the reset switch from the case is a 2 pin connector. How is that going to connect?

 

[Robert Cook]

It does it matter which plug you use. just make sure it is a peripheral one or sata power port. I''ll go check and see what exactly is the deal with those power on and reset switches.

 

[Ertrius]

Robert,
I used a SATA 2-way cable to connect the pump power and plugged it into SATA port 3 on my PSU.
Now I`m not sure which USB 2.0 connector on the mobo to use for the Link USB cable. My board has a USB 910, and a USB 1112 connector. I guess it does not matter.
I have 3 more fans to connect. 2 on front of case, and 1 at the rear of case. Where do they connect? There are also 5 more fan cables coming from the I/O panel. The fan button on I/O is a 3 speed fan control.

 

[Robert Cook]

There should be 4 Chassis fan ports on there, put the three fans to the closest ports. I would jsut avoid corsair link altogether, I tried it a few times and it was very buggy. it may have improved, but it is not needed. what exactly is this IO thing you describe? the motherboard manual should exactly where the power on, and reset switches go, but I am not sure what you mean with the IO panel, as most case IOs do not have built in fan control.

 

[Ertrius]

I/O is what Corsair is calling the front case panel buttons and the wires coming from it, (on, off, reset, fan speed, etc.) and USB ports. My case has a 3 speed fan button. So, there are five fan cables coming from the front panel.
Also there is also a SATA connector and a few other cables which I have no clue where they go. The manual does not say where these front panel (I/O) wires go.
If I connect the case fans to the mobo, will I still get PWM control with these fans? Or do I have to purchase 4 wire PWM fans?

 

[Robert Cook]

okay, if the fans you have are 4 wire PWM fans, then they will work on PWM mode. if not then you will have to use DC control which that motherboard should have. I find PWM works better.
Is the sata connector a power connector? because then it is probably power for that I/O thing. are there fan ports on this I?O board? because if so then then the fans would plug in there on the five cables coming out of it instead of the motherboard. are the cables leaving the I/O male fan ports or female fan ports?

 

[Ertrius]

Okay, Ill just connect the fans to the mobo. This board has Fan Expert 3 to control all fans. Will it work even though the fans are 3 wire?
So, now i do not need to worry about connecting the wires from the front panel?

 

[Ertrius]

Robert, I`m starting to think I`m beating my self up here. Maybe I don`t need to use any of those front panel cables except for: on/off switch, reset, LED lights, and USB port wires. There is a large cable coming form the panel that has 2 wires merging into one connector. It looks like it may be for the USB ports. Where does this cable connect on mobo?