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where to plugin a sys. fan?

post #1 of 34
5/9/12 at 6:37am
Thread Starter 
where to plugin a sys. fan?
My new PC did'nt come w/ a sys. fan w/ the addition of my new TV tuner and soon to be extra HDD I'm antisapating the need for a sys. fan
so where do I plug it in?
this image there's a 6 pin plug that comes from the PSU it is simiarl to the CPUs fan plug.

By stevethebrain at 2012-05-09
this image appears to be a 6 pin connecter

By stevethebrain at 2012-05-09

here's a old fan I have it only has 3 pins

By stevethebrain at 2012-05-09

current temps w/ couple hours of computing
CPU-21
sys.temp 37C/98 F
PCH temp 59
after 5 hours of continuos recording
CPU 29
sys.temp 44c/111F
PCHtemp 59
both reading are prior to new TV tuner card will check any changes later today.

I don't see anything labled on this MOBO. are there documents identifing each connection?
Thanks STB
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post #2 of 34
5/9/12 at 6:39am
Which mobo do you have?
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post #3 of 34
5/9/12 at 6:54am
A case fan will use a 4 pin molex connector. These are white plugs that come from the power supply. The fans have both a male and female connection so you can piggyback the plug with a hard drive or whatever. In your first picture it is to the left of your finger.
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post #4 of 34
5/9/12 at 7:00am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by gtmtnbiker View Post

Which mobo do you have?

http://www.skyline-eng.com/index.cfm...roduct_ID=8413
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post #5 of 34
5/9/12 at 7:14am
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post #6 of 34
5/9/12 at 7:27am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nimo View Post


And this will let you use a 3 pin fan instead of the molex connector type of fan. However, a 3 pin fan using this plug would be no different than the molex since the 3rd pin (yellow) is missing. The yellow pin allows for the computer to monitor the fan speed.

A four pin fan, such as on the CPU heat sink, allows the computer to control the fan speed in addition to monitoring its speed.

Case fans are usually only two pins that just provide 100% power. You can look on the motherboard for available 3 pin fans plugs if you want to monitor the speed.
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post #7 of 34
5/9/12 at 7:58am
Quote:
Originally Posted by stevethebrain View Post

so where do I plug it in? here's a old fan I have it only has 3 pins

That looks like a Gateway, isn't it?

Those connectors go straight into the motherboard.
The problem is, OEM boards are designed according to the manufacturer's specs and they will not have connections for additional fans.
Retail boards will come with 3 pin headers for additional system fans. This allows the board to monitor the fan speed.
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post #8 of 34
5/9/12 at 8:40am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nimo View Post


thanks Nimo for image.

Quote:
Originally Posted by bryansj View Post

And this will let you use a 3 pin fan instead of the molex connector type of fan. However, a 3 pin fan using this plug would be no different than the molex since the 3rd pin (yellow) is missing. The yellow pin allows for the computer to monitor the fan speed.

A four pin fan, such as on the CPU heat sink, allows the computer to control the fan speed in addition to monitoring its speed.

Case fans are usually only two pins that just provide 100% power. You can look on the motherboard for available 3 pin fans plugs if you want to monitor the speed.

1.in image one what is the plug I have my fingers on?

2.this old fan I have has a 3 pin female coming out of the fan black,yellow and red wires however the male end only has a black and red also I cut off the very end female plug (I'm assumming would plug into the MOBO) fan was'nt used in a computer was used in a differnt application.

I guess I don't care about monitoring a case fan since I can montior the CPU,sys and PCH temps though the bios.

BTW what is PCH temp?

I have observed a couple 3 pin connections on the MOBO seams easier to plug in there than buy a additional wire however I'm reluctant to be plugging into something that is'nt labeled.
here's a image look at the top center.

By stevethebrain at 2012-05-04

By stevethebrain at 2012-05-04


edit new tuner is working excellent so far, I'm testing it w/ the USB tuner disconnected.

?3.after I'm satisfied that the new tuner is fine, do I install (logicalley TV channel setup) both tuners simultaneously or individualley?

?4.recieved just a new tuner card no screw to totalley secure it is this screw a standard size can I obtain from like Lowes or Home depot?
Thanks STB

Quote:
Originally Posted by hirent View Post

That looks like a Gateway, isn't it?

Those connectors go straight into the motherboard.
The problem is, OEM boards are designed according to the manufacturer's specs and they will not have connections for additional fans.
Retail boards will come with 3 pin headers for additional system fans. This allows the board to monitor the fan speed.

I believe Acer used to be Gateway. STB
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post #9 of 34
5/9/12 at 8:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by stevethebrain View Post

I believe Acer used to be Gateway. STB

Acer purchased Gateway.

PCH stands for 'Platform Controller Hub'. Its a chipset on the board which handles some of the South Bridge functions.
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post #10 of 34
5/10/12 at 5:39am
Thread Starter 
Bryan I'm still waiting on responses on ?s 1.3. & 4

Thanks STB
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post #11 of 34
5/10/12 at 6:28am
I am not sure if the attached link is your exact motherboard, but it is a AM3910. scroll down to page 60. 19 is the system fan connector. Hope this helps.

http://www.support.acer.com/acerpana...k_03272010.pdf
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post #12 of 34
5/10/12 at 10:47am
That connector you had your finger on is power connector for floppy drive.
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post #13 of 34
5/10/12 at 12:26pm
I plugged a 12v fan with a 3 terminal connector into the Sys Fan connector on my ECS mobo and it works. The fan I'm using is from a Dell PC and was mounted to the case but acted as the CPU cooling fan because there was a duct connecting the CPU heat sink to the fan. It has red, black & white wires. I checked the old Dell mobo and red was 12v and black was ground & these match the ECS mobo's connector. That would leave white as a sensor.

However HWMonitor only shows the CPU fan. Is there some reason it is not reading the sys fan?
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post #14 of 34
5/11/12 at 1:37am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by SUBCOB View Post

I am not sure if the attached link is your exact motherboard, but it is a AM3910. scroll down to page 60. 19 is the system fan connector. Hope this helps.

http://www.support.acer.com/acerpana...k_03272010.pdf

I see the sys. fan on page 39. however I don't see the battery.

on page 44 I see the 3 pinned connecter sys. fan just to the right of RTC battery.

on page 52 location 19 confirms this is the correct connection for the sys. fan.
I was actualley planning on plugging into unlisted location 13.5 inbetween 13 and 14
it is a 3 pin connecter.
Thanks SUBCOB



Quote:
Originally Posted by jdcrox View Post

That connector you had your finger on is power connector for floppy drive.

is a DVD player /burner nowadays referred to as a floppy drive? I remember back in Win95 era floppy drive was a 3.5" disc. drive.
Thanks STB

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike99 View Post

I plugged a 12v fan with a 3 terminal connector into the Sys Fan connector on my ECS mobo and it works. The fan I'm using is from a Dell PC and was mounted to the case but acted as the CPU cooling fan because there was a duct connecting the CPU heat sink to the fan. It has red, black & white wires. I checked the old Dell mobo and red was 12v and black was ground & these match the ECS mobo's connector. That would leave white as a sensor.

However HWMonitor only shows the CPU fan. Is there some reason it is not reading the sys fan?

hopefulley I won't ruin anything and get to monitor the sys. fans status w/ 3rd wire.

I'm still waiting on responses on ?s 3 & 4
from post #8
?3.after I'm satisfied that the new tuner is fine, do I install (logicalley TV channel setup) both tuners simultaneously or individualley?

?4.recieved just a new tuner card no screw to totalley secure it is this screw a standard size can I obtain from like Lowes or Home depot?
Thanks STB
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post #15 of 34
5/11/12 at 5:20am
there is a fan header in red on this image next to the battery
LL
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post #16 of 34
5/11/12 at 6:35am
Thread Starter 
actualley that is the sys. fan port.
it appears that there is a 50% chance I could potensionalley plug the fan in backwards.

before I plug in the fan I would like to know how to orinate the plug so I get 12V on the fans red wire should I mearsure the voltage on the fan port?
I'm still waiting on responses on ?s 3 & 4
from post #8
?3.after I'm satisfied that the new tuner is fine, do I install (logicalley TV channel setup) both tuners simultaneously or individualley?

?4.recieved just a new tuner card no screw to totalley secure it is this screw a standard size can I obtain from like Lowes or Home depot?

Thanks STB
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post #17 of 34
5/11/12 at 6:59am
The fan plug and fan header are keyed so it should only go in one way unless you force it.
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post #18 of 34
5/11/12 at 7:11am
The screw you are looking for is a 6-32 x 1/4 or slightly shorter
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post #19 of 34
5/11/12 at 7:29am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by drtdiver View Post

The fan plug and fan header are keyed so it should only go in one way unless you force it.

I don't think the fan port is keyed it's just 3 males sticking out the MOBO look at the image on page 52 location 19 on the Acer surport doc.

Quote:
Originally Posted by drtdiver View Post

The screw you are looking for is a 6-32 x 1/4 or slightly shorter

yes I need this screw I just pressed another coax cable onto the tuner card and the card moved a tad so I need to secure it.

after asking about 5 times I'll just attempt to TV channel setup both tuners and see if WMC7 recognizes both tuners.

Thanks STB
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post #20 of 34
5/11/12 at 7:39am
In sure it is keyed there should be a flat piece of plastic sticking straight up. That slides between 2 posts on one side of the fan plug.
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post #21 of 34
5/11/12 at 7:47am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by drtdiver View Post

In sure it is keyed there should be a flat piece of plastic sticking straight up. That slides between 2 posts on one side of the fan plug.

I think you'r are correct I see the piece of plastic sticking up on page 44.

right now I'm attemping to set both tuners at same time.

if sucsessfull will MC7 show 2 tuners?
Thanks
STB
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post #22 of 34
5/11/12 at 7:48am
If it is not keyed then look for a + or - printed on the board.
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post #23 of 34
5/11/12 at 7:59am
Thread Starter 
when pressing on a new coax cable I think I disslogded the tuner card from it's PCI express slot. currently on round 2 for channel setup.

think I'll steal the screw from the wifi card and use it on the tuner.

BTW can attach the fan to the case w/ string?
STB
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post #24 of 34
5/11/12 at 8:07am
Can you steal a screw from one of your case panels instead of a component that needs the screw. And about the string how about going to the store and buying some fan screws?
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post #25 of 34
5/11/12 at 11:52am
Thread Starter 
OK cool I can steal a case screw to secure the TV tuner card, I'll cruise by the small computer store Saturday mainly for a SATA cable for my additionale 2TB HDD (planning on going w/ the Hitahie) then get a screw.

update I am now proud to announce that I am officalley dual tuner capable I have testedd both tuners and recorded 2 ATSC shows at the exact same time sucssefully.

as far as the string goe's it's not actaulley string it's called laceing twine very stronge waxed string the installation folks use to install telecom equipment I use it all the time (around the house ect.) it's used as a preferred substitute for tie wrapes Most telecom co.s w/ high standards don't allow tie wraps for safety reasons (the installation folks sometime cut the TW w/ a diangle cutter creating a sharpe safetey hazard).

anyway I think it will work fine secureing my fan, I intead on tidying up my internal wireing w/ the twine to improve cooling . Later STB
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post #26 of 34
5/11/12 at 12:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by stevethebrain View Post

OK cool I can steal a case screw to secure the TV tuner card, I'll cruise by the small computer store Saturday mainly for a SATA cable for my additionale 2TB HDD (planning on going w/ the Hitahie) then get a screw.

While you're at tha "small computer store" see if they sell for a few bucks a baggie full of assorted PC assembly screws. They often do. Anyone building systems should have one handy, and one bag will likely last you a lifetime.

And it will save you untold time and aggravation when you lose a screw on the floor somewhere or they leave one out of the box.
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post #27 of 34
5/11/12 at 12:03pm
Only reason I say not to use string is because fans spin. if the string isn't tight or becomes loose over time you will have vibration and vibration creates unwanted noise. If you are going to the computer store get some fan screws too. You can get the 6-32 x 1/4 at pretty much any hardware store but I don't know about fan screws they are a very coarse thread
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post #28 of 34
5/11/12 at 4:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by drtdiver View Post

Only reason I say not to use string is because fans spin. if the string isn't tight or becomes loose over time you will have vibration and vibration creates unwanted noise. If you are going to the computer store get some fan screws too. You can get the 6-32 x 1/4 at pretty much any hardware store but I don't know about fan screws they are a very coarse thread

Just FWIW.

My main hobby is "rollin yer own" telescopes. In that hobby it is common to suspend a computer fan like these to AVOID vibration. Heck, we even suspend the secondary mirror using Guitar string. The imporatnt thing is to use 4 sets where a pull on one set is cancelled by increased tension on the string opposite it. In a reflecting telescope, the fan helps the primary mirror track the night time temps and therefore give the best views.

All that said, I'd just as soon use a hole saw to make circular openings for a 120MM fan or two in the computer lid or cover.
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post #29 of 34
5/11/12 at 5:47pm
Just PM me your address and I'll send you case screws, fan screws and a sata cable.
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post #30 of 34
5/11/12 at 7:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tomandbeth View Post

Just FWIW.

My main hobby is "rollin yer own" telescopes. In that hobby it is common to suspend a computer fan like these to AVOID vibration. Heck, we even suspend the secondary mirror using Guitar string. The imporatnt thing is to use 4 sets where a pull on one set is cancelled by increased tension on the string opposite it. In a reflecting telescope, the fan helps the primary mirror track the night time temps and therefore give the best views.

All that said, I'd just as soon use a hole saw to make circular openings for a 120MM fan or two in the computer lid or cover.

i guess i was just assuming that he was going to tie the fan to the case where there is an open spot you would normally mount a case fan. not suspending it in the air
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