Connecting several fans is a great way to increase the airflow in your computer case, especially when using a high-end processor or graphics card. Adding extra cooling to your system can prevent components from overheating and shortening their life span.
You have two main options for connecting several fans: a fan splitter hub or a fan controller. The latter is a convenient option because it comes with multiple ports for connecting fans and can even include a controller to adjust fan speeds.
Adding more fans to your PC can be a great way to improve cooling and make your system perform better. However, it’s important to remember that you can’t just plug in any old fan and expect it to work well. Whether you’re connecting an internal or external fan, there are certain steps that you should take to ensure it’s safe for your hardware and keeps your system running smoothly.
The first step is to decide which type of fan you’re going to use. Most fans come in a variety of sizes and shapes. If you’re unsure which one to buy, you can always ask your local computer store for recommendations.
If you’re going to be installing the fan yourself, you can either use a fan kit with pre-drilled mounting holes or install the fan directly onto your case. Regardless of which method you choose, it’s important to drill out the fan venting and screw holes in your case. You should also check that the fan mounting holes are properly threaded before screwing in the fan.
Next, make sure the fan is correctly plugged into your motherboard’s fan header. Most fan connectors have two guides that match a tab on the motherboard header and will need to be aligned correctly. You should then press the fan connector down until it’s fully connected to your motherboard header.
This can be a daunting task, but it’s worth it. When it’s done right, the fan will be able to cool your system efficiently and effectively without overheating it or damaging your hardware.
Aside from the obvious safety concerns, a fan splitter can damage your hardware or cause it to overheat if you’re connecting too many fans to one header. As a general rule of thumb, you should never connect more than 3 fans to a single fan header with a splitter.
The other issue that can arise is when you try to connect a fan with a 3-pin connector to a 4-pin header. This is because the 3-pin fan uses Voltage Control Mode while the 4-pin fan uses PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) for speed control. This can result in the fan being overheated, damaged or having trouble operating correctly if you’re trying to control its speed using your motherboard’s BIOS.
Fortunately, most motherboards allow you to adjust the speed of your fans through your BIOS. This allows you to create fan curves that will automatically adjust the fan’s speed depending on the temperature inside your case. Most BIOS programs also support temperature sensors that will let you measure the temperature of your PC and adjust fan speeds accordingly.
