PWM Hub question

[Skynight]

Hello,

I recently bought a Noctis 450 which comes with an integrated 8-port fan hub for PWM.

I'm currently looking for case fans, preferably with LED. I noticed that 4-pin are usually PWM and 3-pin are "static"...
How does this work ? The fan hub only accepts 3-pins...should I care if the fans are "static" and not 4-pins?

Sorry, don't know how to clearly describe my question.

For instance,

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835106327
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835553013

Would that benefit from PWM ?

Thanks in advance.

 

[ATMINSIDE]

You'll benefit from PWM if you're trying to speed control your fans.

If you get a PWM splitter and connect it to a PWM fan header on the motherboard it is a great way to keep your system quiet at low loads.

 

[NiHaoMike]

That case has a buck converter so it is only designed to work with 3 wire fans. If you want to use PWM, you'll have to make or buy a splitter and ignore the built in "splitter".

 

[Conumdrum]

So, the case input (adaptor) is a PWM connector (4 pin) from the Mobo, usually CPU temp. The splitter has PWM 4 pin input AND AND a molex connector? And outputs only 3 pin. Meaning the mobo will send PWM speed outputs to the adaptor and convert the PWM mobo signal to analog speed signals for the 3 pin outputs?

Is that what you mean?

 

[NiHaoMike]

That's how it works. It's basically a very simple "digital amplifier".

BTW, it's surprisingly easy to DIY one.

 

[Conumdrum]

Actually, it's DAC, not an amplifier.

And I'm sure it's easy to DYI if you are a electrical engineer, thank you for reminding us, NiHalo.

 

[inVain]

Hello,

I recently bought a Noctis 450 which comes with an integrated 8-port fan hub for PWM.

I'm currently looking for case fans, preferably with LED. I noticed that 4-pin are usually PWM and 3-pin are "static"...
How does this work ? The fan hub only accepts 3-pins...should I care if the fans are "static" and not 4-pins?

Sorry, don't know how to clearly describe my question.

For instance,

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835106327
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835553013

Would that benefit from PWM ?

Thanks in advance.

if the hub were able to control 3p fans, it'll work with anything.
just be careful as they are typically load sensitive (too heavy load might kill the hub)

 

[ATMINSIDE]

if the hub were able to control 3p fans, it'll work with anything.
just be careful as they are typically load sensitive (too heavy load might kill the hub)

The big benefit of PWM is the wider control range that it gives over voltage control.

 

[inVain]

The big benefit of PWM is the wider control range that it gives over voltage control.

agreed.
PWM is newer and better when it come to "control" feature.

to me the OP seems that he wanted to use his hub which only have 3p output.
as mentioned by Conumdrum I think that hub had DAC on it.

so if that the case, that hub will convert the PWM to voltage.
increase the hub compatibility with fans, but wasting the PWM feature on a PWM fan.

 

[JrClocker]

I have the same case.

The PWM hub is rated for 30 W.

The input into the hub is a 4 wire connector, but the fan control outputs are 3 wire.

I have connected both 4 wire and 3 wire fans to the hub. You can do either, but not both. (i.e. if you connect a 4 wire and a 3 wire fan to the hub it won't run correctly). You can control the fan speed of all connected fans via the PWM control on your motherboard.