[SOLVED] Why are these fan cables different?

[incmachine]

I bought a set of three fans, but one of the cables is different from the other two.

Two fan cables look like this:

https://ibb.co/D9yQmh6

But the other one is missing the extra part and looks like this:

https://ibb.co/4ThCKx7


Are they different because they are not supposed to fit together (as a 3-fan set) ?

 

[Ralston18]

No way to immediately know.

What did you order (the fan set) and who is the seller/source?

Links?

My overall thought being that somewhere along the line the correct/applicable cable was not available and someone just tossed in another cable.....

On the other hand, to be fair, if the fans are being daisy-chained then the last fan's (#3 fan of 3 fans) does not need the capability/ports/cable to connect a fourth fan.

Any fan installation documentation: e.g., User Guide/Manual, Installation Manual?

 

[SkyNetRising]

Are they different because they are not supposed to fit together (as a 3-fan set) ?

They are different because they are different (different models).

You connect fan to either fan header on motherboard (fan gets regulated) or
you connect it to molex plug from PSU (then fan doesn't get regulated and runs at full speed all the time).

With 2 of your fans you can choose either option,
with third fan - you can connect it to motherboard only.

 

[incmachine]

No way to immediately know.

What did you order (the fan set) and who is the seller/source?

Links?

Any fan installation documentation: e.g., User Guide/Manual, Installation Manual?

Here's the eBay link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/403246383771

Not sure if that page is still visible, but the product brand name is upHere.

No manual or instructions came with the box, so not totally sure what to do with these.

 

[incmachine]

You connect fan to either fan header on motherboard (fan gets regulated) or
you connect it to molex plug from PSU (then fan doesn't get regulated and runs at full speed all the time).

I'm not sure if I'm using the right terminology here but when I connected one fan to the PSU connection it didn't seem to work properly (blue light was on, but fan didn't spin).

When I connected the "different" fan to the motherboard, it seemed to work fully (blue light was on and fan was spinning).

 

[avg9956]

https://ibb.co/D9yQmh6

This fan uses the old molex power connection. Typically these are old fans back in the early 2000s. They will always run at full speed.

https://ibb.co/4ThCKx7

This fan uses a standard 3-pin fan power connection. These fans are more modern than the ones that use a molex power connection but do not allow for the fan to control its speed. They will always run at full RPM.

Typically, modern fans now use a 4-pin fan power connection. The 4th pin allows the fan to adjust its fan speed.

Are they different because they are not supposed to fit together (as a 3-fan set) ?

They're different in the regard of - which power connector is used to power them. Fans don't really come together as a set (unless you are really buying them as a "set" from a vendor), you can mix and match other models of fans as long as you get the right size to be able to mount it onto your case (i.e. 80mm, 120mm, 140mm).

 

[JohnBonhamsGhost]

Are they different because they are not supposed to fit together (as a 3-fan set) ?

yes.

wherever you purchased this "set" return them for a refund.

then find a real PWM set of good high airflow/high pressure/lower dB fans.

 

[SkyNetRising]

This fan uses a standard 3-pin fan power connection. These fans are more modern than the ones that use a molex power connection but do not allow for the fan to control its speed. They will always run at full RPM.

Not true.
3pin fans get regulated just fine. Regulation method is linear voltage. Configuration can be set in BIOS.
4pin fans get regulated by pulse width modulation method.

 

[Ralston18]

From the E-bay link:

• Get it by Thu, Nov 4 - Tue, Nov 9 from Gainesville, Florida
• • New condition
• • No returns, but backed by eBay Money back guarantee

Does not surprise me that there was no manual or instructions with the box....

The focus should be, I think, on determining if and how the three fans can be safely and functionally connected and installed.

Make and model motherboard? Make and model PSU? Case?

 

[avg9956]

Not true.
3pin fans get regulated just fine. Regulation method is linear voltage. Configuration can be set in BIOS.

My bad

Well yes, DC fans do allow that kind of control by lowering the voltage, albeit is static - hence the term "linear voltage".
Ex: 5V corresponds to 1000 RPM, whereas 3V corresponds to 600 RPM.

However I would take a PWM fan over a DC fan given the choice:
https://www.ilounge.com/articles/pwm-fan-vs-dc-fans-which-is-best

PWM is more efficient than DC as it only uses the energy it needs in order to cool the system and dissipate heat. Where-as a DC fan will spin at a fixed voltage or RPM regardless of a thermal output.

 

[SkyNetRising]

Well yes, DC fans do allow that kind of control by lowering the voltage, albeit is static - hence the term "linear voltage".
Ex: 5V corresponds to 1000 RPM, whereas 3V corresponds to 600 RPM.

Pc fans are 12V. At 3V they will not even start.

 

[JohnBonhamsGhost]

from these pictures we don't get a clear look at the actual design.

there are sets designed to work in a manner where a single fan connects via 3 or 4 pin to header; FAN 1.
but this fan will also have a female molex out.

the next fan, FAN 2, connects via male molex to this female molex provided by FAN 1.

FAN 3 then connects into FAN 2 in the same manner.

but that would mean these molex connectors have both male & female on the same head.

Two fan cables look like this:

post new images showing the fans laid out on a table with all cables easily discernible in the shot.
also provide an image showing both sides of the molex connectors.

 

[incmachine]

The focus should be, I think, on determining if and how the three fans can be safely and functionally connected and installed.

Make and model motherboard? Make and model PSU? Case?

-Motherboard: MSI B450M Pro-VDH Max

-Power Supply: EVGA 450 BR 100-BR-0450-K1 450W ATX12V / EPS12V 80 PLUS BRONZE

-Case: COUGAR MX410

 

[incmachine]

but that would mean these molex connectors have both male & female on the same head.

It looks like the cables with a Molex connector do have a male and female end.

Apologies for that! I should have taken a picture of both sides.

 

[JohnBonhamsGhost]

post new images showing the fans laid out on a table with all cables easily discernible in the shot.

I should have taken a picture of both sides.

upload new images to IMGUR and link the images here so we can see them in the thread and don't have to chase them to another site for viewing.

 

[incmachine]

3-fan set :

2 similar cables:

Male end of these fan cables:

Female end of these fan cables:

Connector on the "different" cable:

 

[JohnBonhamsGhost]

have never dealt with upHere products and never even seen them before.
so can't comment on their reliability but it would appear that they just put the wrong fan in with this 3 fan set.

if this eBay sale was direct from upHere considering that their eBay page states "No returns" i would just right them off as one to avoid.

i would still just get my money back guarantee through eBay and get something much better that offers 4 pin PWM.