Apollo Case Fans

[cpknox08]

I am building my first PC and have been going through the learning curve. Specs are as follows:

Intel E6750
Abit IP35 Pro
Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro
Corsair XMS 2GB
NZXT Apollo Case
NZXT 550w power supply
Seagate 250gb HD
XFX 8600GT 256mb

My dilemma is the the case fans installed in the Apollo case. They have only 4pin molex connectors yet my motherboard has 3 pin connectors to supply power and rpm monitoring. Does anyone know of a connector that will work for converting this or is it just best to power the fans off the power supply at full speed all the time?

[RetepNamenots]

I just use the molex 4-pin cables that were with them. If you want to use RPM monitoring software etc. then you'll have to buy new 3-pin fans.

[RedRoseWolF]

You don't have to buy new fans.

Here, you'll probably find good use out of this:
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/1115/cab-37/3pin_Motherboard_Header_to_4pin_Female_Power_Suppl y_Connector.html

It lets you plug your 4 pin into the 3 pin motherboard slot.

[RetepNamenots]

You don't have to buy new fans.

Here, you'll probably find good use out of this:
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/1115/cab-37/3pin_Motherboard_Header_to_4pin_Female_Power_Suppl y_Connector.html

It lets you plug your 4 pin into the 3 pin motherboard slot.


I know you can get those, but didn't suggest them because they won't allow him to monitor the RPM with the BIOS or other apps. The only reason for getting these would be if there were not enough connectors on the PSU.

[cpknox08]

What about these options - The motherboard has a 3 pin male connection for 4 aux fans.

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/1093/cab-09/3-pin_to_4-pin_Adapter_w_RPM_Monitoring.html

[ivybat]

Go with the build and put the fans in the PSU at full speed. If it's too loud (which I highly doubt it will be, they are very quiet fans, I could never hear my Apollo) then we'll help you consider other options :)

[cpknox08]

I dont mind connecting them directly to the PS since the NZXT PS I bought has plenty of open connections to supply fans. The link I posted previously was for a pass through connection for 4pin molex connectors but also had a wire to connect to the MB to allow for fan speed monitoring. Just didnt know if this single wire would allow for monitoring/speed control since the fan would be connected directly to the PS.

Does this cable allow for fan speed control or just monitoring since the power is still coming from the PS.
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/1093/cab-09/3-pin_to_4-pin_Adapter_w_RPM_Monitoring.html?tl=g2c38s428

My bios does allow for fan control based on temp settings but will not allow for RPM monitoring with this adapter. Does that affect how these case fans are designed since the MB will be supplying the power for the fan and not have power from the PS. http://www.frozencpu.com/products/1115/cab-37/3pin_Motherboard_Header_to_4pin_Female_Power_Suppl y_Connector.html?tl=g2c38s428

[ivybat]

AFAIK it requires a special fan, not just the fan connection, to take advantage of motherboard fan controlling.

Fans called PWM fans are designed especially for this purpose, but I don't know the capabilities of a plain vanilla case fan.