y splitter question

[CMR0CK_]

im about to buy a pwm controllable fan to replace a sickeflow since its a bit too loud and i was wondering if i can control that fan and another sickeflow i have one using pwm and other voltage through the same header

 

[atljsf]

if the fans are 3 pins or 4 pins, both, it shouldn't be a problem

 

[Paperdoc]

No. You can use EITHER PWM Mode OR Voltage Control Mode on any one header (IF the mobo actually allows you to choose), but you cannot do both simultaneously. Some mobos allow you to specify which control Mode each fan header will use. Others only have one option/ And just to confuse you, many mobos now use all 4-pin fan headers but do not necessarily use PWM Mode on them.

How many pins (well, holes in the fan connector) does your SickleFlow unit have? One common cause of "noisy" fans is that it's a 3-pin and is plugged into a 4-pin header that really is using PWM Mode. That particular combination cannot control the fan;s speed so it always runs full speed.

If you want detailed info on how to set up two case fans in your system, post back with this info:
1. What maker and exact model number of mobo do you have? From that we can tell what ability is has to control fan types.
2. What model of SickleFlow fan do you have? 3-pin or 4, at least.
3. What new fan are you considering buying?

 

[CMR0CK_]

Im using the asus h110m-k mobo,i have the 3 pin sickeflow,https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835214028

 

[atljsf]

if both fans are 3 ins and you use a y splitter, it will work, i have 2 of the 4 fans on my case set like that, one pin on the y splitter end remains unused and it works as expected

 

[Paperdoc]

Mixing a 3-pin and a 4-pin fan together on one mobo CHA_FAN header is tricky but can be done, in part because your mobo does allow you to specify which control Mode it will use on that header. It will require that you buy a Splitter like this

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812423160&cm_re=coboc_fan_splitter-_-12-423-160-_-Product

Note that a Splitter has one input arm with a female connector for the mobo header, and two output arms with male connectors. It has NO other arms.

The "tricky" is because the two fan types require the mobo header to use different control Modes. So you have four options.

1. Go into BIOS Setup to the EZ Mode screen, see manual p.2-2. At bottom centre click on the box marked QFAN Control. In it check the Mode of control. It may be set to PWM. If it is, that is why your 3-pin SickleFlow fan is running full speed all the time and being noisy. Change that to DC Mode, then use the F10 key to back out and SAVE and EXIT. Your machine will reboot. See if that solves your problem. If it does, you may choose not to change the fan system.

2. Use the Splitter to connect those two different fan types to your header. Then go into BIOS Setup as above and make that change to DC Mode. Now you will have two fans operating under the same control signals and giving you increased air flow at (hopefully) lower noise. This option takes advantage of a backwards compatabilty feature of the new 4-pin Enermax fan. It CAN be controlled by the DC Mode method, although that is not quite ideal because it does not make use of a few advantages of the PWM design.

3. Same option as #2 with one small change. Don't get a PWM fan, since you can't use PWM Mode control with it anyway in a mix. Get another 3-pin fans (which may be cheaper). Now you have 2 fans, not one, both under mobo control using DC Mode.

4. Remove the existing 3-pin SickleFlow fan. Buy one (or two with a Splitter) PWM type fans and connect it / them to the CHA_FAN header. But this time set its mode to PWM Mode, so it can do optimal control of (both?) PWM fans.

Your choice.

 

[Paperdoc]

Thanks for Best Solution.