Where do I plug in my case fans?

[Rtoder209]

I have the Fractual Design Define R4 case, MSI Z87-G45 Motherboard and I am using 2 Fractual Design Silent Series 140mm fans. I want to know where I plug the existing pre-installed fans on the case and the 2 after market fans I purchased in to. I understand my case has a fan controller on the front and so does this mean it will control all fans in the system including the ones I got separately?

 

[HiTechObsessed]

Whatever fans you plug into the fan controller will be able to be controlled by the fan controller. I would recommend plugging intake fans in first, to make sure you can control those. The remaining fans you can plug directly into the motherboard.

 

[TG_thoMz]

Yes, as long as the fan controller has 4 or more connectors. If not just refer to your mobo manual to locate other case fan connectors.

 

[Rtoder209]

Whatever fans you plug into the fan controller will be able to be controlled by the fan controller. I would recommend plugging intake fans in first, to make sure you can control those. The remaining fans you can plug directly into the motherboard.

So all fans plug into the motherboard? Where is the fan controller port?

 

[HiTechObsessed]

Look in the case manual, it will show you how to use the fan controller.

And yes, the fans most likely have a 3 or 4 pin connector on them, which can be plugged in to the motherboard. If not, they have a 4-pin molex connector which is plugged directly into the power supply.

 

[Rtoder209]

Look in the case manual, it will show you how to use the fan controller.

And yes, the fans most likely have a 3 or 4 pin connector on them, which can be plugged in to the motherboard. If not, they have a 4-pin molex connector which is plugged directly into the power supply.

OK so the fans will have an option to plug into either the MB or the PSU? And is there any difference? Lastly what would you recommend I do in my situation

 

[HiTechObsessed]

Yes.

The difference is that if you plug the fans into the motherboard, you will need to either setup fan profiles to get custom fan cooling, or manipulate them manually through software. The fan controller is a simple switch that you can control on the case to have the fans at 0% 33% 67% or 100%. Essentially, the controller just gives you quicker, more direct control over the fans easier.

It depends on what you want to do. If you want to not have to worry about it ever, just plug them into the motherboard, and let the BIOS decide how fast to spin the fans. If you want to control the temperature and airflow better, or take advantage of silent operation, cooler GPUs, etc, use the fan controller. I personally would use the fan controller, but it's up to you lol

 

[Rtoder209]

Yes.

The difference is that if you plug the fans into the motherboard, you will need to either setup fan profiles to get custom fan cooling, or manipulate them manually through software. The fan controller is a simple switch that you can control on the case to have the fans at 0% 33% 67% or 100%. Essentially, the controller just gives you quicker, more direct control over the fans easier.

It depends on what you want to do. If you want to not have to worry about it ever, just plug them into the motherboard, and let the BIOS decide how fast to spin the fans. If you want to control the temperature and airflow better, or take advantage of silent operation, cooler GPUs, etc, use the fan controller. I personally would use the fan controller, but it's up to you lol

Ah right ok. And is the fan controller located on the motherboard? And if I plug what I can into the MB (as there are only 3 fan slots on my mb and I have 4 fans) can I just plug the last one into the PSU? OR is what you mentioned about the fan controller, do the pre installed fans have their own slot elsewhere so I am then able to use the mb slots for the fans I purchase separately and the pre installed fans on the controller.

 

[HiTechObsessed]

The fan controller should have its own separate connectors you would plug the fan in, and it would be bundled with the other cables coming out of the front panel.

And yes, you would plug any remaining fans into the power supply after the slots in the motherboard are taken up if you don't want to have to worry about them. And it doesn't matter which fans get plugged in where in regards to the case fans or the extra ones you bought, just be sure to leave the CPU_FAN header for the CPU fan.