The SYS FAN , or system fan , is an essential component for cooling your computer and preventing overheating. This is a small fan that attaches to your PC case and draws hot air in and expels it outside. The SYS FAN thus makes it possible to maintain an optimal temperature for other components, such as the processor, graphics card or memory.
But how to connect the SYS FAN to your motherboard? What is the difference between the SYS FAN and the power supply fan? What are the criteria to take into account when choosing a good SYS FAN? In this article, we will answer all these questions and give you practical advice for installing and optimizing your SYS FAN.
How to connect the SYS FAN to the motherboard step by step?
To plug the SYS FAN into the motherboard, you must follow these steps:
- Turn off and unplug your PC.
- Open your PC case and locate the SYS FAN and motherboard.
- Locate the SYS FAN connector type: 3 pin or 4 pin.
- Locate the corresponding location on the motherboard: usually indicated by “SYS_FAN” or “CHA_FAN”.
- Plug the SYS FAN connector into the motherboard slot by aligning the pins and snap it into place.
- Close your PC case and plug it back in.
There you go, you have connected the SYS FAN to the motherboard!
How to choose the right connector for your SYS FAN?
Connecting the SYS FAN to the motherboard depends on the type of connector it has. There are two main connector types for system fans: the 3-pin connector and the 4-pin connector.
The 3-pin connector is the most common and easiest to use. It plugs into a dedicated slot on the motherboard, usually indicated as “SYS_FAN” or “CHA_FAN”. The 3-pin connector powers the fan with 12V and transmits its rotation speed to the motherboard.
The 4-pin connector is newer and better. It also plugs into a dedicated slot on the motherboard, but it also allows you to control the fan speed based on the case temperature. This type of connector is called PWM, for Pulse Width Modulation, and it allows you to adjust the voltage sent to the fan between 5V and 12V.
If your SYS FAN has a 4-pin connector, you can plug it into a 3-pin slot, but you will lose PWM functionality. If your motherboard has a 4 pin slot, you can plug a 3 pin SYS FAN into it, but it will still spin at the same speed.
What is the difference between the SYS FAN and the power supply fan?
The SYS FAN is not the only fan present in your PC. There is also the power supply fan, which is located in the power supply block of your computer. The role of the power supply fan is to cool the power supply unit itself, which transforms the alternating current into direct current and which provides the necessary energy to the other components.
The power supply fan plugs directly into the power supply block and not into the motherboard. It is therefore not possible to control its speed or replace it easily. The power supply fan is generally quieter than the SYS FAN because it spins more slowly and is isolated by the power supply unit housing.
The SYS FAN and the power supply fan are complementary to ensure good cooling of your PC. It is recommended to have at least one SYS FAN in addition to the power supply fan, or even several depending on the size of your case and the power of your configuration.
How to choose a good SYS FAN?
To choose a good SYS FAN, you must take into account several criteria, such as size, noise, air flow or static pressure.
The size of the SYS FAN
The size of the SYS FAN determines its diameter and therefore the space it takes up in your case. The most common sizes are 80mm, 120mm or 140mm. The larger the SYS FAN, the more air it can move and the quieter it is, because it spins slower. But you must also check that your box has the slots suitable for the size of the SYS FAN that you wish to install.
The noise of the SYS FAN
The noise of the SYS FAN is measured in decibels (dB) and depends on the rotation speed and the design of the fan blades. The faster the SYS FAN spins, the more noise it makes. But some models are quieter than others thanks to optimized blades or quality bearings. The noise of the SYS FAN is also influenced by the type of connector: a PWM connector allows the fan speed to be reduced when it is not necessary, which reduces noise.
The air flow of the SYS FAN
The SYS FAN airflow is expressed in cubic meters per hour (m3/h) or cubic feet per minute (CFM) and indicates the amount of air the fan can move. The higher the airflow, the more effective the SYS FAN is in cooling your PC. This is why it is important to choose the best PC coolers , which offer a good compromise between performance and silence. Air flow depends on the size, speed and design of the SYS FAN.
The static pressure of the SYS FAN
The static pressure of the SYS FAN is measured in millimeters of water column (mmH2O) or inches of water column (inH2O) and indicates the force with which the fan can push air through a resistor, such as a filter or radiator. The higher the static pressure, the more suitable the SYS FAN is to be placed in front of an obstacle. The static pressure depends on the shape and number of blades of the SYS FAN.
How to install and optimize your SYS FAN?
To install your SYS FAN, you must first choose its location in your case. There are generally two possibilities: front or rear.
The front is used to draw in cool air from the outside and direct it towards the components, while the rear is used to expel hot air from the inside to the outside. It is recommended to have at least one SYS FAN on the front and one on the rear, or more if your case allows it.
Next, you need to attach your SYS FAN to the case using screws or clips that come with the fan. Make sure to orient the SYS FAN in the right direction: the side with the logo or cable should be facing the inside of the case, while the side with the grille should be facing outwards. You can check the direction of airflow by looking at the small arrows on the edge of the SYS FAN.
Finally, you need to plug your SYS FAN into the motherboard as explained previously. If you have a PWM connector, you can adjust the SYS FAN speed in your PC's BIOS or with dedicated software. You can therefore create personalized ventilation curves based on the temperature of the case or processor.
FAQs
What is SYS FAN ERROR?
The SYS FAN ERROR is an error message that may appear when starting your PC if your SYS FAN is not detected by the motherboard. This may mean that your SYS FAN is incorrectly connected, defective or missing. To resolve this issue, you can check the connections, replace the fan, or disable SYS FAN detection in BIOS.
What is the difference between a PWM fan and a DC fan?
A PWM fan is a fan that has a 4-pin connector and can be controlled by the motherboard based on temperature. A DC fan is a fan that has a 3-pin connector and spins at a constant speed.
How to clean your SYS FAN?
To clean your SYS FAN, you must first turn off and unplug your PC. Next, you need to open the case and locate the SYS FAN. It must then be dusted with a soft cloth, a brush or a can of compressed air. Care must be taken not to damage the fan blades or introduce moisture into the case. It is also necessary to clean the grilles of the case which may be clogged with dust. Finally, you must close the case and reconnect your PC.
What is the lifespan of a SYS FAN?
The lifespan of a SYS FAN depends on its quality, use and maintenance. In general, a SYS FAN can last between 3 and 5 years, or even more if it is of good quality and well maintained. Signs that indicate that a SYS FAN is at the end of its life are a drop in performance, abnormal noise or excessive vibration.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a SYS FAN?
The advantages of a SYS FAN are:
- It effectively cools your PC and prevents components from overheating.
- It improves the performance and durability of your PC.
- It reduces the noise of the power supply unit by reducing its thermal load.
The disadvantages of a SYS FAN are:
- It consumes energy and increases the electric bill.
- It can be noisy if it spins too fast or is poorly designed.
- It may be difficult to install or replace depending on the model.
Conclusion
The SYS FAN is an essential element to ensure the proper functioning of your PC. It cools the case and components by evacuating hot air. Choosing a good SYS FAN involves considering size, noise, air flow and static pressure. To reduce the noise of your PC case fans, you can also adjust the fan curve based on the temperature of the processor or graphics card. To connect the SYS FAN, you must use the appropriate connector on the motherboard.
To install the SYS FAN, you must choose its location in the case and secure it correctly. To clean the SYS FAN, dust it regularly with a cloth or a can of compressed air. To optimize the SYS FAN, you must adjust its speed with a PWM connector or dedicated software.
We hope that this article was useful to you and that you learned something about the SYS FAN. If you have any questions or comments, do not hesitate to leave them to us in comments.
