Can anyone help me figure out how to set up 7 fans on a motherboard with only 3 headers?
Posted by Additional-Ad5116@reddit | buildapc | View on Reddit | 5 comments
Hello! 2 years ago I built my first pc. The main issue is that I've got 3 intake fans and no exhaust, so there's always alot of dust buildup. I'm fine with thermals but I'd honestly like to max out the amount of fans I can have on my case (since it'll look nice and will make it easier to sell the pc when I eventually do that in 5 or so years)
I've got a phanteks g360a (case) and a b550m-a WiFi II motherboard. My CPU cooler is the vetroo v5.
The motherboard has only 2 headers dedicated to case fans, with the usual cpu_fan and cpu_opt header as well, for a total of 4 headers. Currently each of my case fans are connected into separate headers, including CPU opt.
The current config is 3 intake on the front. My case supports a rear fan and 3 fans on the top (in addition to the 3 in front).
My idea is to have all 4 non-front fans as exhaust, so that the rear and top fans are all exhaust. The issue lies in the fact that I've heard it's better to have exhaust and non-exhaust fans running at different speeds. The initial idea was to buy a single fan hub, and connect all the exhaust fans to there as well as one of the front case fans, for a total of 5 fans being connected to the hub, 4 of which would be exhaust and 1 of which intake, but this seems silly since I'd be mixing exhaust with intake.
Another option is to just connect every single fan into a single fan hub, but that way they'd all be running at the same speeds.
The final option, which I don't know whether or not is stupid, is to buy 2 fan hubs. One for exhaust fans, one for intake fans, and connect them seperately. Is this stupid? It seems like a waste of money. Is having 3 intake and 4 exhaust a stupid idea to begin with? I know that you should aim to have more intake than exhaust but with my case it doesn't seem like that's reasonable when you fill it up with all the fans it can take
ShoddyEnthusiasm3653@reddit
I used to use fan controllers but now I use PWM. I would say if you have a bunch of 4 pin fans, just get a bunch of 3 way splitters. If you have a bunch of 3 pin DC fans, def get a controller.
fc_dean@reddit
There are two ways.
One, use a fan cable fan cable splitter. You can find one to three splitters. You will need three of those.
Two, and this is what I recommend. Get a dedicated fan controller hub. Generally, just having intakes or even outtake fans are fine. As long as there is negative pressure in the case, the air will flow. And you want them to run at a similar RPM.
Additional-Ad5116@reddit (OP)
so should I get seperate controllers for intake and exhaust or just use one for both?
mildlyfrostbitten@reddit
you don't need controllers. you can get 4 to 1 and 5 to 1 splitters. you can probably get a couple of those for less than a decent hub.
ShineWestern5468@reddit
Do whatever is cheapest or easiest for you. The whole positive vs negative pressure thing has been debated to death and there isn’t an always correct answer. If there is a difference it will be like 1 or 2 degrees which won’t have any noticeable impact on performance. Also if it is 2 years old and you want to sell it in 5 years, spending a bunch of money on fans and hubs now, you aren’t ever going to get that money back.