Where Do I Plug in My Case Fans?

[jmayo15]

Hey everyone! I'm building a PC using the Asus Maximus IX Formula mobo and the Corsair 760t case. I'm looking to install 7 fans, including the 3 fans that are pre-installed in the case; however, the mobo only has 3 chassis fan connectors (4-pin). Where would I need to plug in the extra fans? The PS4? And would I need any extra cables for that? Thank you for your help!

 

[Paperdoc]

Right, this can all be done using Splitters connected to the correct mobo headers, and configuring them correctly in BIOS Setup. First, some preliminary background.

I assume you want to have all your fans controller automatically by the mobo headers. Your case comes with a system for manually setting fan speeds with some buttons, but this does NO automatic control. So, do NOT connect any of your fans to the case's fan output connectors, and ignore the case's buttons. All fans will connect to mobo headers.

You speak of 7 fans total, but do not make it clear whether those all are for case ventilation, or does that count include the cooling system for your CPU chip? Post an answer back here.

Fans come in two different designs: 3-pin and 4-pin. They both work, and both CAN be controlled by your mobo's headers. But each requires a different method of control, so mixing them on one header using splitters is to be avoided. That can be handled easily. The fans included with your case all are of the 3-pin design. But tell us what the other four fans are. Exact maker and model numbers would help.

If you need advice on how to connect and use your CPU cooling system, whatever that is, post also its make and model.

With that info we can give complete advice on your system.

I'll be away for a while, back this evening to follow up on your responses.

 

[jmayo15]

Thank you so much for your help! So for the pre-installed fans, there are 2 fans in the front (Corsair 140mm) and 1 fan in the rear (Corsair 140mm). There are 3 additional spots on the top of the case and 1 space at the bottom for the Corsair Air Series AF120mm LED Quiet Edition fans that I would be installing. All of these fans are 3 pin.

Also, I was wondering if it's also possible if I could get away with just the pre-installed fans (2 intake in the front and 1 exhaust in the rear) and one additional fan (1 exhaust on the top above the cpu/mobo) at least for now. I've also posted my complete build below just for reference.

Thank you once again for all of your help! I really appreciate it!


Build:

Case: Corsair 760t

Case Fans: Corsair 140mm (for 2 intake), Corsair 140mm (for 1 exhaust in rear), 120mm (for 1 exhaust on top above CPU)

MOBO: Maximus IX Formula

CPU: Intel i7-7700k

CPU COOLER: Hyper 212 EVO

MEMORY: Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 3000 Mhz (32GB/ 2x16GB)

STORAGE: WD 1TB HDD (EZEX) / Samsung 850 EVO SSD (250GB)

GPU: Nvidia Geforce GTX 1080 Founder's Edition

OPTICAL DRIVE: Asus Blu-Ray BD Drive

CAPTURE CARD: Elgato HD60 Pro

PSU: EVGA SuperNova 850W 80+ Gold

OS: Windows 10 Home

 

[Paperdoc]

Thanks for the details; now I can advise.

Your mobo has three standard CHA_FAN headers which can do the job, and I don't think you need to use the H_AMP_FAN header. When you set this up, you need to configure each of those three headers to use DC Mode for controlling the fans. See p. 3-7 of your mobo manual, and configure each of those CHA_FANn headers using the "DC Mode" button at upper right.

The limit on this is that each of those headers can supply up to 1.0 amps to its fans. Now, your AF120 LED fans draw 0.4 amps each, so putting two of them on one header using a Splitter is OK, but not more. That would take care of the four added fans using two CHA_FAN headers. Of the three fans included with the case, the two front ones are AF140 LED Quiet Edition units (I think) spec'd at 0.23 amps each. The rear one may be the same, or it may be a non-LED AF140 Quiet Edition at 0.1 amps. So all three can be connected to one CHA_FAN header with a Splitter.

For the four AF120 LED units on two CHA_FAN headers you'll need two Splitters. Here are a couple examples
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812423168&cm_re=coboc_fan_splitter-_-12-423-168-_-Product

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812423169&cm_re=coboc_fan_splitter-_-12-423-169-_-Product

Those each are 3-pin Splitters with two output arms; one has 6" arms, the other has 12".

For the three included fans, you need a Splitter with three outputs, like this
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812423162&cm_re=coboc_fan_splitter-_-12-423-162-_-Product

That unit is made for 4-pin fans, but it works just as well for 3-pin fans. It has its three outputs along a single arm, but that may not get you to reach to the back fan location. You may need a fan extension cable like this
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812423167&cm_re=fan_extension_cables-_-12-423-167-_-Product

That's 12 " long, but others are available.

I mentioned above setting each CHA_FAN header to use DC Mode. They also should be set (across the bottom) to "Standard" mode for normal pre-configured automatic control. The manual does not mention this last item, so I don't know whether it applies to your mobo. Some mobos have several temperature sensors in them and allow you to choose which one will guide each fan header. IF that option is available to you for each fan header, I recommend that the CPU_FAN header use the CPU temperature sensor, of course. But for the CHA_FAN headers, they should use the Motherboard temperature sensor.