Fan Hub on the PSU - good idea?

[Lord Flashheart]

So I have just got a new lot of cpu/motherboard/memory setup - R5 3600x , MSI B450 tomahawk and 16Gb Cl14 memory.

It is certainly an improvement to the previous i7-3770k setup.
My GPU - Gigabyte GTX 1080 ti AORIS is now better used. Also monitor is 2560 x1080 144 Hz gsync.

The case cooling I think needs updating.
So the corsair ML120 & ML140 seem a decent choice. Not quite enough fan headers on the motherboard so a fan hub is needed.

Likely getting the silverstone cpf04 hub.
https://www.silverstonetek.com/product.php?pid=526&area=en

My PSU is an antec 850W high current gamer. It has shielded metal around i it most PSUs.

The case is a a corsair carbide 400R.
https://www.corsair.com/us/en/Categories/Products/Cases/Carbide-Series%E2%84%A2-400R-Mid-Tower-Case/p/CC-9011011-WW

So intend to replace the two included front fans & the rear fan. All are 120mm.

So the new plan is to have 2 x ML120 in the front each connected to the motherboard.
An ML140 at the bottom of the case
An ML140 at the rear for to push air out.
2 x ML140 on the side on case on the case door.
All 4 140mm fans will be powered through the hub which is probably a good idea. So 3 in through dust filters and 1 out helping maintain positive air pressure.

I live in Australia and it is winter now so spend time gaming.
In the summer when the weather is too hot I like to spend time gaming but you better have great case cooling as it can get hot in the summer. It is probably best to set this up in the winter.


The most convenient place to put the hub is on the PSU (on the side not interfering with airflow).
This is to allow me to easily remove the fan connectors when removing the side panel and easily attaching again.

So will that cause any interference/issues?

Does anyone have any useful info?

[𝔇ave]

i can't see why it would cause any problems. does the hub have a pcb inside that connects via usb to control the fans through software or is it a powered splitter hub with individual fan control on the hub?

either way i doubt it would cause any issues. the only concern i would have would be with the pcb in the hub(if it has one) getting hot since it would have it's own mosfets that need to be cooled. but realistically the housing on a modern psu doesn't get that hot. they almost always have large fans that move alot of air over the components inside so the heat wouldn't build up too much on the housing

[Lord Flashheart]

Originally posted by Dave:

i can't see why it would cause any problems. does the hub have a pcb inside that connects via usb to control the fans through software or is it a powered splitter hub with individual fan control on the hub?

either way i doubt it would cause any issues. the only concern i would have would be with the pcb in the hub(if it has one) getting hot since it would have it's own mosfets that need to be cooled. but realistically the housing on a modern psu doesn't get that hot. they almost always have large fans that move alot of air over the components inside so the heat wouldn't build up too much on the housing

It is a straight forward powered hub.
There is a connection to one of the fan connectors to the motherboard. Also a connector to sata power. The MSI command centre software then controls the fan speed.
The hub simply runs all the connected fans at the same speed the motherboard connector tells it to. The speed is set either manually or through a fan curve in the software. This is fine as they will all be exactly the same fan models connected to it.

Their power to the fans will not be coming through the motherboard but straight from the PSU through the sata power connector. The most complicated thing in there is a capacitor to allow for smooth power delivery it seems.

[𝔇ave]

i think it would be fine. unless that capacitor is a cheap chinese electrolytic capacitor it should be fine to operate up to like 85c? possibly more..

[_I_]

looks to be fine
it uses 12v from a sata power connector, and pwm signal from a pwm fan header on the mobo
as long as the fans are pwm they will all be speed controlled from that header

1 minor issue with the cap, wont hurt, just rated good as it should be
16v cap looks to low voltage for a 12v rail, they should be around double the rails voltage
ex. 10v cap for 5v/usb rail, 5-6v cap for 3/3.3v rail, 25v cap for 12v rail

[Lord Flashheart]

Originally posted by Dave:

i think it would be fine. unless that capacitor is a cheap chinese electrolytic capacitor it should be fine to operate up to like 85c? possibly more..

You may be right about the capacitor. It has bad reviews. I think the deepcool fan hub instead.

[tacoshy]

You can simply use active splitter cables that have an additional SATA Power.
If you go with corsair fans and want a hug, I would choose the corsair commander Pro.

[Lord Flashheart]

I went for another option. A 2 way splitter off the motherbaord. Apparently the motherboard can provide enough current off one fan header for two fans - in particular the 2 x 120mm fans. It just means I cannot use a water cooler cpu as the pump header is taken. Not an issue as I intend to get a air cooler one at some point.

[𝔇ave]

Originally posted by Mamba Bajamba:

I went for another option. A 2 way splitter off the motherbaord. Apparently the motherboard can provide enough current off one fan header for two fans - in particular the 2 x 120mm fans. It just means I cannot use a water cooler cpu as the pump header is taken. Not an issue as I intend to get a air cooler one at some point.

(simplified) AIO pumps are sata powered. they only plug into the motherboard for rpm monitoring and speed adjustment

not sure if this applies to all AIO pumps but it does for mine at least..

[Lord Flashheart]

Originally posted by Dave:

Originally posted by Mamba Bajamba:

I went for another option. A 2 way splitter off the motherbaord. Apparently the motherboard can provide enough current off one fan header for two fans - in particular the 2 x 120mm fans. It just means I cannot use a water cooler cpu as the pump header is taken. Not an issue as I intend to get a air cooler one at some point.

(simplified) AIO pumps are sata powered. they only plug into the motherboard for rpm monitoring and speed adjustment

not sure if this applies to all AIO pumps but it does for mine at least..

Exactly. Nowhere left to plug one in.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

You'd plug it into the cpu fan header. So what's the problem?

Don't split the cpu fan header

[Lord Flashheart]

Originally posted by Bad 💀 Motha:

You'd plug it into the cpu fan header. So what's the problem?

Don't split the cpu fan header

There are 6 fan headers on the motherboard and 7 fans to power.
The cpu went into the Cpu header obviously.
4 x 140mm fans using 4 headers.
2 x 120mm fans using 1 header with a splitter cable.
One of the headers is to a 140mm fan is a pump header but it works just fine.

[𝔇ave]

Originally posted by Mamba Bajamba:

Originally posted by Bad 💀 Motha:

You'd plug it into the cpu fan header. So what's the problem?

Don't split the cpu fan header

There are 6 fan headers on the motherboard and 7 fans to power.
The cpu went into the Cpu header obviously.
4 x 140mm fans using 4 headers.
2 x 120mm fans using 1 header with a splitter cable.
One of the headers is to a 140mm fan is a pump header but it works just fine.

when you use an AIO you no longer connect a fan to the cpu fan header. you put the pump to the cpu fan header if you want to be able to control it's speed. pump header is full speed always.. fans for the radiator are usually plugged into and controlled by the AIO pump and powered by sata (this depends on the model) as for chassis fan headers on the motherboard you can split those by 2 safely so you don't have wires hangin off the motherboard in every direction.

[Lord Flashheart]

Originally posted by Dave:

Originally posted by Mamba Bajamba:

There are 6 fan headers on the motherboard and 7 fans to power.
The cpu went into the Cpu header obviously.
4 x 140mm fans using 4 headers.
2 x 120mm fans using 1 header with a splitter cable.
One of the headers is to a 140mm fan is a pump header but it works just fine.

when you use an AIO you no longer connect a fan to the cpu fan header. you put the pump to the cpu fan header if you want to be able to control it's speed. pump header is full speed always.. fans for the radiator are usually plugged into and controlled by the AIO pump and powered by sata (this depends on the model) as for chassis fan headers on the motherboard you can split those by 2 safely so you don't have wires hangin off the motherboard in every direction.

Not using an AIO and have no intention of doing it on my PC. Just using the pump header for a case fan as I am low on headers.

[𝔇ave]

Originally posted by Mamba Bajamba:

]

Not using an AIO and have no intention of doing it on my PC. Just using the pump header for a case fan as I am low on headers.

then why even mention it..

Originally posted by Mamba Bajamba:

It just means I cannot use a water cooler cpu as the pump header is taken.

anyway.. you got it sorted so best of luck to ya