How many fans can I use?!

[ExiLeZX]

My motherboard has 4 fan slots. A CPU_FAN, PWR_FAN, CHA_FAN1, and CHA_FAN2. What goes where? The CPU_FAN is obviously for the processor fan. What about PWR_FAN? Is this an actual fan connection or just a monitor, and does a fan plug in or does a cable from the power supply plug in? I'm assuming the CHA_FANS are direct connections for case fans.

The way I have it in my head now is I have 1 CPU fan slot (CPU_FAN), a monitor slot (PWR_FAN) and only 2 case fan slots? Is this wrong?

And my case comes with 2 fans...so would that mean I can't buy any extra? This is probably very simple but I'm confused and its bugging the hell out of me.

[Spaz06]

Originally Posted by ExiLeZX My motherboard has 4 fan slots. A CPU_FAN, PWR_FAN, CHA_FAN1, and CHA_FAN2. What goes where? The CPU_FAN is obviously for the processor fan. What about PWR_FAN? Is this an actual fan connection or just a monitor, and does a fan plug in or does a cable from the power supply plug in? I'm assuming the CHA_FANS are direct connections for case fans. The way I have it in my head now is I have 1 CPU fan slot (CPU_FAN), a monitor slot (PWR_FAN) and only 2 case fan slots? Is this wrong? And my case comes with 2 fans...so would that mean I can't buy any extra? This is probably very simple but I'm confused and its bugging the hell out of me.

You can put as many case fans as you want as long as you have a power supply that can handle it and you have the slots in your case. Whatever you can't plug into the mobo, you can plug into the molex connectors on the power supply.

I think your right about your connection on your mobo, but take a look at your manual to make sure.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by ExiLeZX What about PWR_FAN? Is this an actual fan connection or just a monitor, and does a fan plug in or does a cable from the power supply plug in?

You would normally plug the lead from the power supply fan onto this, but it is only for monitoring the fan RPM. But you can use it for a case fan if you want to.

Originally Posted by ExiLeZX I'm assuming the CHA_FANS are direct connections for case fans.

Yes, those are for chassis (case) fans.

Originally Posted by ExiLeZX The way I have it in my head now is I have 1 CPU fan slot (CPU_FAN), a monitor slot (PWR_FAN) and only 2 case fan slots? Is this wrong?

No...you have it right.

Originally Posted by ExiLeZX And my case comes with 2 fans...so would that mean I can't buy any extra?

You can buy case fans that use 4 pin molex power connections and connect them directly to the power supply (this is preferred over connecting them to the motherboard). These usually come with "pass-through" connector, meaning you can "daisy chain" several fans together and power them off of one power supply power lead.

Cricket

[ExiLeZX]

Ohhh sweet, I was wondering what the molex connectors were. Just need some 3-to-4 pin adapters...thanks.

edit
Oh and, motherboard fan connectors and PSU fan connecters can be used at the same time right? And you said its better to use molex connectors rather than motherboard connectors, so if I have enough I should use only PSU molex connectors?

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by ExiLeZX Oh and, motherboard fan connectors and PSU fan connecters can be used at the same time right?

Yes.

Originally Posted by ExiLeZX And you said its better to use molex connectors rather than motherboard connectors, so if I have enough I should use only PSU molex connectors?

It would be better that way...you avoid possible power related problems by keeping the case fans off the motherboard fan power connector.

Cricket

[cuog]

I would plug all of the fans that you can directly into the power supply instead of into the Motherboard because the less electricity travelling thru the mobo that doesn't have to the better.