View Full Version : How much watts can mobo headers take?
cyberspyder
08-18-2008, 10:23 AM
I want a solid response...recently, people have been talking about how mobo headers can support in excess of the 6 watts necessary to run high-cfm fans, such as San Aces. Is this confirmed for all headers or just a particular board?
Cheers, Brendan
Extigy
08-18-2008, 02:33 PM
board dependant. Try looking at the literature that came with your board or look on the manufacutrer's web site. If you stil cannot find an answer, try emailing or phoning tech support for your board.
cyberspyder
08-20-2008, 06:00 AM
Asked them...apparently my board can support up to 6.84W...what a surprise.
CryptiK
08-20-2008, 06:31 AM
That's per fan header? That equates to 0.57A so that is a decently powerful fan, most fans are under 0.25A.
cyberspyder
08-20-2008, 06:33 AM
That's per fan header? That equates to 0.57A so that is a decently powerful fan, most fans are under 0.25A.
Yep...thanks god I can run a San Ace in there...schweet.
cyberspyder
08-22-2008, 07:50 AM
Just tried the San Aces....worked beautifully...and ti=his is with a crappy mobo, not the DFI in my sig...w00t!
KoHaN69
08-22-2008, 11:59 AM
is it possible the fans effect the stability due to power draw?
cyberspyder
08-22-2008, 12:52 PM
I'm not sure on that...but I've been running some intensive programs and after an hour at full speed, nothing seems to be unstable...so possibly no. However, dunno any long-term effects yet.
Brendan
jcool
08-22-2008, 01:15 PM
Depends. If you are using a 4 pin PWM fan, the mobo header can take a lot of W. If it's a 3 pin, not so much.
Dunno the max for a PWM fan header, but it's a lot. For example, the Intel boxed coolers from my E5420 Xeons feature a fan rated at 1,1A.. lol.
So they are drawing up to 13.2W each from the mobo's PWM fan headers.
Movieman
08-22-2008, 01:35 PM
I've always worked from the rule of thumb to put as little as possible onto the motherboard and as much as possible directly to the molex for power.
Asgard_thor
08-23-2008, 10:51 AM
i've only using two mobo headers the rest on are a fan controller
two 88cfm yate loons, I have no Idea of the watts :/
motherboard headers have a tendency to burn out after awhile no matter what they are rated for. If you put a fairly beefy fan on them, they might burn out. I would always recommend going directly to the PSU with a RPM only (or rpm/ground) cable(s) going to the motherboard header.
Rattle
08-23-2008, 04:24 PM
i have power mostly medium speed yate loons off my mobo headers on many mobos for a long time, i never have had issues. to me the medium yates are the perfect compromise between fan noise, air flow and 4 fans to the house for $20??? i have some with 18 months heavy usage and they still like new.