- Joined
- Aug 4, 2020
- Messages
- 557
I've been extensively searching for the answer I need and am just as confused as when I started. I recently bought several pre-built PCs and took a dive head-first into cryptomining (I know pre-builts are almost never worth it, but these were). There's just one major annoyance: lack of airflow. It came with a 3-pin 90/92mm fan for exhaust, and that's it. The problem is that it literally never kicks on except for two seconds at startup. The only way to keep these PCs quiet is to take the side panel off (which I'm not thrilled about for dust reasons). So my research has led me to 4-pin PWM fans that I can manually configure to run 24/7 at light/medium duty. There's a few problems though. #1 is that I only have 1 4-pin "CHA_FAN1" header on this motherboard which is where the current 3-pin fan is plugged in. There isn't a second one. #2 is that the exhaust fan spot ONLY accepts a 90/92mm fan, no other holes to use something else. But then #3 is the real issue I can't figure out. I want to install one fan at the bottom front of the PC to send air (front-->back) through the GPU/PSU area to relieve the stress off of those fans. I can either fit a 90/92mm or a 120mm snugly. Ideally I want a 120 for more & quieter airflow. I know Arctic makes built-in (PST) adapter cables on some of their fans, or worst case I can buy standalone PWM splitters from Noctua. Also, this front fan gets basically zero fresh air as the front cover is completely solid. The goal is to merely move some air toward the rear exhaust. There is absolutely no other space anywhere else to install fans.
But after all my research I'm still unsure if it is okay to mix two different fan sizes (and possibly different brands) on the same fan header. Is that okay? I understand the motherboard will only receive input from the 'master' fan, but I'm unsure if they have to be identical or if it's okay to mix two different fans? Ultimately, safety is #1 and cost isn't an issue, so if I have to use two identical 90/92s, then I guess that's what I have to do to keep it safe. I'm just hoping to keep these as cool & quiet as possible and the case they are in doesn't make that easy. Here's what I have:
And this is basically what I have in mind:
Also, one additional question. Due to the space between the proposed intake and exhaust fans, will I need an extension of some sort or will the cables be long enough on their own with a PWM splitter? Thanks!
But after all my research I'm still unsure if it is okay to mix two different fan sizes (and possibly different brands) on the same fan header. Is that okay? I understand the motherboard will only receive input from the 'master' fan, but I'm unsure if they have to be identical or if it's okay to mix two different fans? Ultimately, safety is #1 and cost isn't an issue, so if I have to use two identical 90/92s, then I guess that's what I have to do to keep it safe. I'm just hoping to keep these as cool & quiet as possible and the case they are in doesn't make that easy. Here's what I have:
And this is basically what I have in mind:
Also, one additional question. Due to the space between the proposed intake and exhaust fans, will I need an extension of some sort or will the cables be long enough on their own with a PWM splitter? Thanks!