How many Fans Can you run from a SATA power connector?

Anthony1uk · 10-03-2009, 09:34 AM

Hi,

Just a quick question here to be sure I do not overload my PSU.

I am asking as my Corsair HX620 blew on me a fortnight ago and am getting a replacement on Monday and want to ensure I play things totally safe.

In my case I have no Molex powered devices so with my Modular Corsair PSU I would rather just have the PSU SATA lead connected to the PSU and leave off all the Molex ones.

The Corsairs SATA Power leads are such that each lead has three SATA power connectors to power a SATA device (so one lead can power three SATA devices).

I have a SATA to Molex adapter cable and would like to power my case fans via Molex through one of these SATA power.

Therefore I would like to know how many Molex connected Case Fans would I safely be able to power with the one SATA power connector?

Or would using a SATA to Molex adapter cable be a bad idea for use in case fans?

Thanks
Anthony.

**Tyree** · 10-03-2009, 10:58 AM

Personally, I would use the Molex connectors because I don't like any kind of adapter.
I assume up to two fans per SATA connections would be safe.

Phædrus2401 · 10-03-2009, 05:04 PM

Just use the normal molex connectors if possible, avoid adapters whenever you can. I usually don't go over three 120mm fans per molex, though I think you can go up to five or six without issues.

10-03-2009, 09:34 AM	#1 (permalink)
Anthony1uk Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 139 OS: W7 x64 - Backup PC: XP-SP3	How many Fans Can you run from a SATA power connector? Hi, Just a quick question here to be sure I do not overload my PSU. I am asking as my Corsair HX620 blew on me a fortnight ago and am getting a replacement on Monday and want to ensure I play things totally safe. In my case I have no Molex powered devices so with my Modular Corsair PSU I would rather just have the PSU SATA lead connected to the PSU and leave off all the Molex ones. The Corsairs SATA Power leads are such that each lead has three SATA power connectors to power a SATA device (so one lead can power three SATA devices). I have a SATA to Molex adapter cable and would like to power my case fans via Molex through one of these SATA power. Therefore I would like to know how many Molex connected Case Fans would I safely be able to power with the one SATA power connector? Or would using a SATA to Molex adapter cable be a bad idea for use in case fans? Thanks Anthony.

10-03-2009, 10:58 AM	#2 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,673 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: How many Fans Can you run from a SATA power connector? Personally, I would use the Molex connectors because I don't like any kind of adapter. I assume up to two fans per SATA connections would be safe. __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

10-03-2009, 05:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,828 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: How many Fans Can you run from a SATA power connector? Just use the normal molex connectors if possible, avoid adapters whenever you can. I usually don't go over three 120mm fans per molex, though I think you can go up to five or six without issues. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.