How do you connect fans to motherboard yourself? You just need to know the motherboard header pin connector to connect the fan plug and the rest of the work is pretty easy.
Connecting fans to the motherboard are not tricky, but it requires some exact instructions. However, connecting case fans in the wrong way or the wrong place cause damage to the motherboard system.
Here, we will discuss the whole process properly in detail but easy to swallow type, of course. We know how essential it is to connect the fan to protect the CPU from overheating.
Let’s move on to the connection.
How To Connect Fans To Motherboard- Simple Instruction
Before jumping straight into the process of making connections, you need to go through a few meaningful things. Also, to connect the fans to the motherboard, you need to choose the right fans for the motherboard.
Next, we will discuss the precise connection method and then discuss some fan controllers that control the fans according to the specification.
Make Sure to Get the Appropriate Quality of Fans
Nowadays, on most motherboards, it comes with some pre-installed fans. The front fan usually brings in cold air, and the rear fan helps get the hot air out. But adding more fans is effective when you’re a crazy gamer or doing high-end editing stuff.
However, finding an appropriate fan requires a lot of research. So, while selecting a fan, look for the specification that fits your motherboard’s pins.
Nowadays, the latest fans are compatible with the latest motherboards for their adequate quality. Most motherboards can support up to 4 fans or maybe 6 fans. Any modern motherboard came with any number of 4-pin headers where you can easily plug both 3-pin and 4-pin fans.
Several Connection Options You Should Know Before Connecting
Once you know the compatibility of the fans, you need to know about the different connection methods by which you need to connect the fan. Two main connection options are used here for connecting the fans to the motherboard.
- The 3-pin connector option
- The 4-pin connector option
The 4-pin fan, known as the PWM fan, means pulse width modulation and has four square holes in the front and four wires entering the back. Similarly, the 3-pin connector also has three square holes on the front and three-wire entrances on the back.
Steps for Connecting Fans To Motherboard
Follow these steps carefully one by one to get the twist:
Step-1: Turn off All the Power & Open the CPU Case
Installing the fan directly on the computer is not difficult. For this, you need to turn off the computer, then turn off the electricity entirely and remove the side cover.
After installing the fan, you need to connect to the motherboard. Most of your fans will have three or four-pin connectors. You need to know the steps to connect 3-pin fans or 4-pin fans to the motherboard.
Step-2: Connect the Fan with the Header
Before connecting the fan to a 3-pin or 4-pin cable, you need to look for a similar header to attach the fan quickly. You can check out the motherboards guide manual diagram to find this header. So, you can find the header by looking at the manual diagram.
The part that you need to find after the header is the level.
- SYS FAN: This ‘system’ fan connects to motherboard via cable and a cable to monitor the fan’s speed.
- CHA FAN: The ‘Chassis’ fan or CHA-fan where you use to plug fans used to cool down the entire casing.
- PWR FAN: PWR FAN is used for the Power Supply of the CPU. However, many experts recommend using the fan for the PSU also. So, if your one has one, it can be helpful for your to connect the case fans with it.
Connecting 3-Pin Fans
For a three-pin fan, you need to attach the fan with three-pin headers on the motherboard. You can also connect a three-pin fan with a four-pin header. This fan will generally work on any heading.
In a 3-pin connector cable, black is for grounding, red is the hot wire, and literally, yellow is for motion sensors. Typically, a 3-pin fan connector is slightly smaller than a 4-pin one.
Hence, the fan needs to be aligned with the tab with the motherboard header. After that, press until the fan is fully connected to the motherboard header.
Connecting 4-Pin Fans
4-pin fans are mostly known as pulse-width modulation (PWM) fans. These types of fans are significantly more potential because users can have better control over them. The method of connecting 4-pin fans only applies if your connector has four cables.
However, you can connect a 3-pin fan to the 3-pin or even a 4-pin header, of course.
But what if you get a 4-pin fan and your motherboard has the 3-pin header? But you can’t enjoy the option of proper control over the fan speed. That most don’t want, we can say for sure. In that case, you might need a 4-pin to 3-pin cable adapter.
Step-3: Secure All the Connections & Close the Case
Now that the connections have been customized the fan to your liking, press and secure all the connections are proper and tight. After that close the case to test the fans.
Step-4: Power Up the Fans & Test
Now, switch on the power and test if all the fans are running or not.
Don’t forget to connect the fans to the power supply for the final connection to the power.
How to Connect Fans to Motherboard When No Header on Motherboard
Your motherboard does not have the fan connecting header or no rgb header on motherboard? No worry, we have the fix for this, too.
Connecting fans to the motherboard without a header is quite different from the 2 methods showcased above. Instead, you only need a fan controller, which comes with a four-pin dual connector and a power cable.
At first, connect the dual 3 or 4 pin fans to the end of the controller. Most RGB fans come with a fan controller hub which is really beneficial in this case.
After that, connect the other end with a controller to the motherboard SATA cable. When the connection process is done next, adjust the working fan and then close the case.
Don’t your fan comes with the fan controller hub? No problem. You can connect the fans with a fan splitter cable adapter to connect to the SATA cable. For example, the ZYAMY 15 pin SATA to 2 x 3 Pin / 4 Pin PMW adapter cable is quite effective. Or, the BSTQ SATA to 3x 3/ 4-pin adapter cable, if you’re connecting 3 fans.
Don’t your case fans come with the fan controller hub, and your motherboard does not have the header either? In that case, there are so many stores selling some high-quality fans to SATA connectors like the Fancasee 1 to 5 Splitter power extension cable hub for connecting enteral case fans.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do fans need to be connected to motherboard?
Of course, fans should be connected to the motherboard. Check carefully and find out, in the motherboard, there are header connector pins for connecting CPU fans. There can be 4-pin or 3-pin fan connector. And you can connect the fan plug in the proper way.
Can I plug 4 fans into motherboard?
You can use 4 fans if needed but you can’t plug 4 fans into the motherboard, because the motherboard does not come with the connector for so many fans. In such cases, you can use a fan hub to connect to the motherboard.
Wrap Up
Fans can only push the wind to one side, so it is essential to place them correctly to create adequate airflow in your case. That is why you must know how to connect fans to motherboard.
Not every time it can be possible to go to the stores for such small connection support that you can do it easily, all by yourself.
Be sure to follow precisely every step to avoid mistakes and errors.
