second power supply for fans

[doyab]

im new to all of this so i was woundering if i could use a sepperate power supply for fans and lighting

 

[BigBrains57]

not really, can you tell me what psu you are using (watts, amps on +12v rail(s), and how many fans your using, fans doint use a whole lot of power, so you shouldnt need to...

 

[doyab]

it is an atx 550w no fans at the moment but there is only one connecter left for when i do get them

 

[BigBrains57]

most fans come with a 4 pin molex female connector (like the ones from the psu, but theyre female), use those, you often get higher rpm if you use the molex

 

[doyab]

can you put more than one fan on each molex connecter

 

[BigBrains57]

yes, i have 2 case fans on 1 connector, and a 2.4gb hdd

 

[doyab]

do you lose any performance by having 2 fans one connecter

 

[BigBrains57]

no, i didn't notice any, my fans only cost 3-4 bucks for 80mm though

 

[doyab]

do you think i could put 3 80mm fans and a few cold cathodes on one connecter

 

[elmarcorulz]

Most fans come with a pass through connector, so you plug it in, and it leaves the space open still. But if it doesn't, you can buy molex splitters, which split 1 molex....into 2

do you think i could put 3 80mm fans and a few cold cathodes on one connecter

If they pass through, i dont see why not, although the power might be as strong towards the last couple of things if you piggy back them. I know this happens with usb adapters.

 

[doyab]

ok thanks that pretty much solves my problem

 

[mrjack]

You can use a secondary PSU for the fans but usually there is simple solution.