Member Avatar for Danniboy

:confused: hi all,

my computer gets way too hot when playin games or anything else tht uses a substantial amount of processor power, so ive decided to buy an extra fan for my case, mabe even 2 extra fans.

i want to have it on the back of the case on 1 of the spaces reserved for a fan addition and i have found what looks near enough like wot i need, but one thing troubles me,
what plug will it go into for its power?, i mean it will (i think) go into the standard power cable for devices such as the CD drive and harddrives etc.. but will it go in to a plug on the motherboard? my motherboard is asus A7N8X-X
im pretty sure this fan will do the trick but i wanna be certain.

what do u think? here is the link to it:

Thanks for reading etc

Danniboy. :D

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by Coconut Monkey

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A short, practical plan to get cooler temps without guessing

As described, the important checks before buying are physical fit, power/connectors, and airflow direction. rightly flagged connector compatibility; double-check the fan lead against what you actually have free (a PSU peripheral/Molex plug or a motherboard SYS/CHA/CPU fan header). If the fan only has two thin wires and a tiny plug, it may be a non-standard fit and you’ll either need an adapter or a different fan that uses standard PC connectors.

What to look for when choosing a fan

  • Size and thickness: match the case opening (80/92/120 mm are common).
  • Connector type: 3‑pin (voltage + tach), 4‑pin PWM (motherboard speed control), or Molex/PSU power. Fans that include a Molex adapter are easiest to power.
  • Performance/noise: check CFM for airflow and dBA for noise. For tight grills or radiators, prefer higher static pressure.
  • Bearings: sleeve vs ball vs fluid dynamic — ball/fdb typically last longer.

Quick installation and troubleshooting checklist

  • Power down and unplug before working inside.
  • Mount with screws or anti‑vibe mounts, orient so the fan blows in the intended direction (rear/top exhaust, front/bottom intake). Most fans have flow arrows on the frame.
  • Route the cable to avoid contact with blades. Plug into an unused Molex from the PSU or a motherboard fan header. If the fan doesn’t spin, try another connector or adapter; check that the adapter is wired for the correct polarity.
  • After installation, monitor temps in BIOS or with a utility and verify the new fan actually lowers case or CPU temps.

A final note: cleaning dust from the case and ensuring the CPU cooler is seated correctly often gives as much benefit as adding another fan. If unsure, pick a standard 120 mm fan with a Molex adapter and quiet bearings — it’s the least likely to cause compatibility headaches.

Recommended Answers

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Member Avatar for Coconut Monkey

As far as I can tell, that fan will not plug into most computer systems due to the 2 pin connector it uses. If you'll scroll down that page, you'll find a solution to the problem.

Alternatively, you could buy a 3 pin fan which will plug into your motherboard (make sure you have a spare 3 pin connector - check your motherboard manual for the locations).

Some fans come with a molex adaptor so you can just use one of the molex connectors from your power supply.

Member Avatar for nanosani

Normally the power cable like the one that goes to your hard drive does the job for you ... and if it has been a long time you didnt open the processor ... take some glue ( specific .. you should ask a computer shop for this glue) and place it in between the processor and the sink .. it'll solve your problem greatly.

Member Avatar for Coconut Monkey

Whoa! Some clarification needed here.

Normally the power cable like the one that goes to your hard drive does the job for you

As I said, the fan linked does not have this type of connection, nor does it come with an adaptor.

... and if it has been a long time you didnt open the processor

Take the heatsink off the CPU you mean?

... take some glue ( specific .. you should ask a computer shop for this glue)

The "glue" is thermal paste, designed to provide a means for transferring heat between the uneven metal surfaces of the CPU and heatsink base. Do not use thermal adhesive - it's not as efficient and could be a problem should you ever need to replace the heatsink or CPU!

and place it in between the processor and the sink .. it'll solve your problem greatly.

Replacing the thermal paste every now and then can help temperatures, but you need to make sure you remove the old stuff beforehand. tells you how (it applies to all thermal pastes).

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