Tech News Today
  • Hardware
    • Motherboards
    • CPUs
    • Graphic Cards
    • RAM
    • SSDs
    • Computer Cases
    • Monitors
    • Peripherals
    • Power Supply Unit
    • PC Builds
    • Computer Tips
  • Software
  • Operating System
    • Windows
    • Mac
    • Linux
  • Gaming
  • Mobile
  • Console
  • More
    • Internet
    • Networking
    • Security
    • Buyer’s Guide
    • Gadgets
    • Laptops
    • Reviews
    • How To
    • News
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Tech News Today
  • Hardware
    • Motherboards
    • CPUs
    • Graphic Cards
    • RAM
    • SSDs
    • Computer Cases
    • Monitors
    • Peripherals
    • Power Supply Unit
    • PC Builds
    • Computer Tips
  • Software
  • Operating System
    • Windows
    • Mac
    • Linux
  • Gaming
  • Mobile
  • Console
  • More
    • Internet
    • Networking
    • Security
    • Buyer’s Guide
    • Gadgets
    • Laptops
    • Reviews
    • How To
    • News
Tech News Today
Home»Hardware»Motherboards»How to Connect CPU Fans Header to Motherboard

How to Connect CPU Fans Header to Motherboard

Deep ShresthaBy Deep ShresthaDecember 12, 2022
CPU fan header

During POST (Power-On Self Test) test, your motherboard makes sure that all major hardware components are connected and in a working state. This includes the CPU fan as well.

CPU fan is what cools down the CPU chip when its temperature rises. The heat is transferred to the heat sink. CPU fans then cool the heat sink. And this is basically how a CPU cooler works.

If you do not place the CPU fan header to the correct pins on the motherboard, the fan may not spin at all or will spin at a lower RPM. If that happens, there is nothing to cool down the heat sink. This is when you face thermal throttling. Meaning that the CPU will lose its performance.

Today, to avoid this exact issue, we are here to provide you with a detailed and simple guide to connecting the CPU fans header to the motherboard.

Table of Contents

  • Does It Matter Where I Plug My CPU Fan?
  • How to Connect CPU Fans Header to the Motherboard?
    • Locate CPU_FAN Header On Motherboard
    • Insert the Cable From the CPU Fan

Does It Matter Where I Plug My CPU Fan?

If nothing is connected to the CPU_FAN header on the motherboard, it will display some errors during the POST test. If the computer passes the POST test, the CPU fan might spin as long as it is connected to the SYS_FAN header. However, it will spin at its maximum RPM, making a lot of noise.

Besides this, the voltage supplied to the CPU_FAN header on the motherboard is temperature-controlled. Meaning that depending on the temperature, the system increases or decreases the temperature. You will not have this feature if you connect the CPU fan to a different header.

How to Connect CPU Fans Header to the Motherboard?

Inserting the CPU fan connector into the motherboard is a simple task if you know where the headers are located on the motherboard. You need to connect the cable from the CPU fan to the header named CPU_FAN on your motherboard.

First, let us see where this specific header is located.

Locate CPU_FAN Header On Motherboard

cpu fan location

As you have already noticed, the wire from the CPU fan is relatively short. Therefore, the CPU_FAN header is also located near the CPU socket on the motherboard.

To locate them, search for the four-pin header on your motherboard. You might see multiple four-pin headers. Make sure that CPU_FAN or CPU_OPT is written under it. There may be a single or multiple CPU_FAN on your motherboard.

If it has multiple CPU_FAN headers, it is indicated as CPU_FAN1, CPU_FAN2, etc. Make sure that you do not connect to the header named SYS_FAN.

Insert the Cable From the CPU Fan

connect CPU fan

Once you locate the CPU_FAN header, take the wire from the CPU fan. Align the cable and the header and gently connect. This cable only goes in one way. So, do not force them in if you cannot insert them. Flip the cable and try again.

cpu fan header

After connecting the CPU fan to the motherboard, turn on the computer to check if the fans spin. If you have the motherboard connected to the monitor, check if you see any errors regarding the CPU fan during the POST test.

how-to
Deep Shrestha
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn

Deep Shrestha works as a computer hardware writer at TechNewsToday with several hardware and programming certifications. Although he has been writing technical content for more than a year, his interest in hardware components started at a very young age ever since he heard about PC building. Pursuing his passion, he has assembled several desktop computers. Besides building desktop PCs, Deep also has hands-on experience fixing software and hardware issues on laptops and desktop computers. Using all this knowledge and skills about computer hardware, he's on a quest to make content that's easy to read and understand for everyone. You can contact him at deep@technewstoday.com

Related Posts

uefi firmware settings

How to Access or Use UEFI Firmware Settings in Windows

February 19, 2023
where is bios stored

Where is BIOS stored in Your Computer?

January 8, 2023
motherboard audio ports

Motherboard Audio Ports – A Complete Guide

November 23, 2022
asus beep codes

What Are All the Asus Beep Codes? What Do They Mean

November 4, 2022
what-motherboard-do-i-have

How to Know What Motherboard I Have

December 23, 2022
usb headers on motherboard

What are USB Headers on Motherboard? (Complete Guide)

October 11, 2022
Add A Comment

Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Latest Posts
Memory-Compression

What is Memory Compression in Windows? Should You Enable or Disable It

March 1, 2023
dism-vs-sfc-vs-chdsk

DISM, SFC, CHKDSK: What’s the Difference

February 28, 2023
bios-settings-for-gaming

Best BIOS Settings for Gaming

February 16, 2023
You may also like
how-to-clean-hp-printer-rollers

How to Clean HP Printer Rollers

March 3, 2023
keyboard input lag

9 Ways to Fix Keyboard Input Lag

March 3, 2023
keyboard key is stuck

How to Fix a Stuck Key on a Keyboard

March 3, 2023
Recommended
Cookie Clicker Garden Guide

Cookie Clicker Garden Guide to Unlocking Every Seed

September 26, 2021
monitor no signal

Computer Turns On But Monitor Says No Signal (9 Ways To Fix)

November 10, 2022
Facebook Twitter Pinterest
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Our Team
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Affiliate Disclosure
© 2023 TechNewsToday, editor@technewstoday.com | Tech Central Pvt. Ltd.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.