Chassis Fan Installation

I recently purchased 4 new chassis fans.  I neglected to check the number of fan connectors on my motherboard, and am only able to utilize 2 of them currently.  My question is, what would be the most effective and safe way to utilize the two unused fans?  Options I am aware of are using 2 3-pin y-splitter adapters to attach two fans each to two of the connectors, or using a molex to 3-pin y-splitter to draw directly from the PSU.  I'm not concerned about power usage or noise, and I'm fine with them running constantly and without being able to track their speeds.  My current fans are 1 120mm fan utilized by the liquid cooling to cool the CPU, 1 40mm fan seated on the northbridge, and 3 120mm chassis fans - 2 bringing air in, 1 pushing air out.  Temps are excellent when idling (mid 30s) and usually reasonable to good under load (40s-60s).  A couple really intensive games (Witcher III comes to mind) and they'll hit the high 70s.  I'm also planning to upgrade to the GTX 960 graphics card in short order.  My configuration is 492376. 

The temps are generally good.  But if I can keep them down to low 70s or better by spending $5-$10 on a cord, I feel it's worth it.  Using The Witcher 3 as an example, I'm running it on low settings right now, since that's all my graphics card can handle.  If I run it at full settings when I upgrade, isn't that likely to raise the temps a bit?  If not, then it really wouldn't be necessary.

Just to add to Snaike's info, you can use MSI AFTERBURNER or EVGA PRECISION to custom your card's fan curve.   Manufacturers tend to keep the fans on the graphics card on lower settings because of the added noise as they crank up, then up the speed when needed. You can change it. My fan curve , gtx 570, was 1 to 1, meaning 50% at 50c, 60% at 60, etc.

Thats for last generations cards.   If you go with a Asus gtx 970 or 960 Strix or EVGA 2.0 cards, the fans stay off until about 60C.   I'm now running a MSI Gaming 4g gtx 970 that has 0 rpm until 60c and then turns on the fans.    With Witcher 3 on Ultra the fans go off and on and the card stays in the 60's under load.   Plus, no noise even when on.

I don't think you'll need the fans with an upgrade to any of those cards.    I'd see if you need the fans first.



Edited by bprat22 - 19 Jun 2015 at 2:43am