![Where to Plug In Fans on Motherboard](https://pcbrim.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Where-to-Plug-In-Fans-on-Motherboard-1.jpg)
Almost all your PC peripherals need cooling, with some needing it more than others. The cooling fans connect to the motherboard and power supply through different types of connectors.
With multiple fans occupying limited space on your PC case’s surface, ensuring their connections without choking the other components becomes a nightmare.
In this article, I’ll discuss different types of fans and where and how to plug them onto a motherboard. Additionally, I’ll also provide insights on mistakes to avoid.
Contents
So, Where to Plug in Fans on Motherboard?
![Where to Plug In Fans on Motherboard](https://pcbrim.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Where-to-Plug-In-Fans-on-Motherboard.jpg)
Fans are plugged into a motherboard with the help of a three or four-pin connector which you can find at the tip of the fan’s wire and fan headers on the motherboard where the pin can slot.
These connectors ensure that the blades of the blower get enough power to spin when they are required.
Apart from providing the power supply to the blower, these connectors also allow you to control the fan speed and different fan operation modes through your computer without accessing them physically.
Just like the connector at the tip of a fan’s wire, there will be a similar (3/4-pin) motherboard fan header.
There are different standards for the form factor of these connectors. The most common one for years has been the Molex type of connector which was developed by Molex.
These days we have many other connectors available. There is no rocket science in making the connections; you just have to press the connectors against the headers on the motherboard.
How Many Fans Can a Motherboard Support?
Typically, an average motherboard has 3 fan headers so it can support 3 fans (ideally one each for CPU, case, and chassis). Many high-end motherboards have as many as 6 headers; hence they can facilitate 6 fans.
The number of fans a motherboard can support depends on the power draw of a fan, as most motherboard headers are of 1A capacity.
So if you have fans that consume less energy than that, then you can use split cables to power multiple fans from just 1 header.
How To Plug-in All Fans on the Motherboard?
Before expanding upon how to connect different types of fans, take a look at some key takeaways that will be helpful for you in the plugging process.
- Every fan connector on the motherboard will have a dedicated slot on the motherboard. Some of them may have multiple slots.
- For instance, the slot for a case fan, also called a chassis fan, will have CHA_FAN or CHA_FAN1, CHA_FAN2 written right under the 3 or 4-pin headers on the motherboard.
- These indications are given because some fans have different energy needs than others, so it makes sense to allot headers for each type of fan.
- Note that you can slot a 3-pin fan connector in a 4-pin header and vice versa, but by doing so, you won’t have PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) that controls the fan operations.
- Many fans come with RGB lighting support through an RGB connector and a power cable. This connector will go into the RGB head given on the motherboard.
Case Fan
You will find CHA_FAN or SYS_FAN written somewhere at the bottom of the headers. This should be enough for you to know where your PC fan plug is.
These are slots for fans of generic purposes and are not specific to components like the CPU or GPU.
![Case Fan](https://pcbrim.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Case-Fan-1024x443.jpg)
Most case fans come with a 4-pin connector. Pick a header that is the most convenient for you in terms of managing the cables. Don’t hesitate to relocate the connectors to ensure maximum airflow and minimum wire choking.
CPU Cooler Fan
Similarly, the CPU fan will have a CPU_FAN indication written below the headers. Note that fans of all kinds of different CPU cooling systems, like air, liquid, or custom cooling, are connected only to this particular header.
![CPU Cooler Fan](https://pcbrim.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/CPU-Cooler-Fan-1024x477.jpg)
Most modern-day motherboards have an additional CPU_OPT header which can be used in case you have multiple fans for your CPU cooler. You can also connect pumps (in the case of a liquid cooler) using this optional CPU fan header.
Power Supply Fan
The cooling assembly inside the power supply unit does not need a dedicated connection to the motherboard, as the unit itself can power those fans. These fans are internally connected to and powered by the core of the PSU.
![Power Supply Fan](https://pcbrim.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Power-Supply-Fan-1024x483.jpg)
The functioning of the PSU fans, unlike the other type of fans, is dependent upon the PSU temperatures. To ensure the working of the PSU fans, you can rely on the regular functioning of your PSU, and the temperature fluctuations will activate the blowers.
GPU Fan
Just like the PSU fans, the blowers of most GPUs are also internally connected to the GPU. You must connect your GPU to the motherboard and the PSU. The blowers will work in accordance with the temperature of your GPU.
![GPU Fan](https://pcbrim.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/GPU-Fan-1024x489.jpg)
However, some people like to add fans to their GPUs if their GPUs do not have multi-blowers. This is not recommended, though, as you would have to attach the external fans manually through either zip locks or a sticking paste.
![GPU Fan 2](https://pcbrim.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/GPU-Fan-2-1024x488.jpg)
The connectors go into an additional GPU_FAN2 or the optional CPU fan header. This hampers the natural form factor and airflow that was designed by the GPU manufacturer originally.
Mistakes To Avoid While Connecting Fans to the Motherboard
- Attaching Fans To Wrong Headers: As iterated earlier, all fans consume different energies and hence need dedicated headers. Mismatching the connectors and heads may affect the performance.
- Connecting Many Fans: It is always recommended to calculate the voltage consumption of all your fans before adding. It is not the number of fans but the voltage consumption that may damage the motherboard. One fan with higher RPMs and voltage intake works better than multiple fans with lower RPMs.
- Fan Connector Push: most of these connectors do not make a snap noise when they are connected. There are chances that you may keep the connection loose, which will not allow the fan to operate properly.
- Directions: The positioning and rotation of the blower blades direct the airflow in a certain direction. This must always be away from the components or a PC case. Mounting the fans wrongly can cause serious damage to your components.
- Cable Management: Use cable clippers or zip-ties to keep the cable flow lean and not choke the components.
Frequently Asked Questions
The headers do not have a frame, so, you can connect a 4-pin fan connector to a 3-pin fan pinout. The only thing is you won’t get any control over the fan because the remaining pin represents PWM (Pulse Width Modulation).
Headers of CPU fans on the motherboard are always 4-pin ones. The 4-pin fan header allows PWM, which is essential for CPU coolers, to allow users to make custom changes to the cooling function through the software.
The fan will work if you connect its 4-pin fan connector to a 2-pin header, but you won’t have any control over the speed or instances of the blower operations since the remaining 2 pins represent those two things.
No. Typically you get a fan by default with the PSU. One fan is recommended for the CPU, and you should also get a fan for your PC cabin to maintain overall temperatures. Three fans are a must for modern-day computers, even without a dedicated GPU.
You can calculate voltage consumption, and if it permits, you can use Y-split cables to connect multiple fans to one connector. You can also use USB fans which are connected through USB ports on the motherboard.
Conclusion
Plugging the cooling fans into the motherboard is relatively simple. The only thing you might want to note down is the standard of your connectors and headers. The old-school Molex may have been completely out of fashion by the time you get your hands on the fan cables.
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