Maximus IX Hero + PWM/AIO Pump

[DOOGLAK]

Hi guys, first-time poster/builder.
I bought the Maximus IX Hero motherboard, and a Kraken x52 CPU Liquid Cooler, as well as 7 more PWM fans (giving NZXT fans to friend).

I setup my rig once, but my friend and I determined the original Kraken I got delivered was DOA.

So just in case we were wrong here and the original kraken I was sent was NOT DOA (we tried all the fan headers/AIO pump headers), how would one ensure all 7 fans can be PWM controlled along with the Kraken working seperately (or not seperately if that's best, I really don't know). All I really want to be able to do is use FanXpert to control the fans (all at once is fine!).

How should I go about this?

Thanks! (Please keep in mind I'm very new to this so try and dumb it down for me if possible!!!)

[Chino]

You can connect multiple fans to a single fan header as long as the total power draw doesn't exceed the 1A limit. 🙂

[DOOGLAK]

Yes I know that, but I'm asking where specifically I should connect them... CHA_Fan? CPU_Fan?
And I also have to have spots for the Kraken pump.

Thanks

[mehoffer]

So Can't tell you exactly because I have a corsair H90 but I connected the pump to the AIO Pump connection, the fan with the radiator to CPU Opt, and The case fans to the CPU fan that runs to a fan hub on my phanteks case. That way the pump and the radiator fan can run at full speed while the case fans can be variable according to the mother board. At least I think that is the way this is supposed to work.

[DOOGLAK]

Ok thanks for the info! Also, I couldn't really find an answer to this.

My case has an 8 fan-hub that I then feed into the motherboard - I know I can control all the fans on the hub as 1 group, but does their Amp output change? I heard that mobo headers can only take 1A and the fans I have take much more than that, so if I hook it all to the hub is that able to lessen the amp flow? I assume not sadly.

[mehoffer]

DOOGLAK wrote:
Ok thanks for the info! Also, I couldn't really find an answer to this.

My case has an 8 fan-hub that I then feed into the motherboard - I know I can control all the fans on the hub as 1 group, but does their Amp output change? I heard that mobo headers can only take 1A and the fans I have take much more than that, so if I hook it all to the hub is that able to lessen the amp flow? I assume not sadly.

So If you are worried about amps I think you can attach the case fans to any of the fan slots on the motherboard and control them through the Bios with the exception of the AIO_PUMP connection and the W_PUMP connection which run at full speed. I don't seem to have an issue with mine and I'm running a 200mm and 2 x 140mm off of the fan hub with the connection going into CPU_FAN connection via a fan hub. Also if you are concerned you can plug into the H_AMP connection which can take a 3A max current which can be controlled via PWM in the bios.

Your case documentation should have some sort of information on what information on where to plug the hub. Mine says it only needs to be plugged into a "true" PWM 4 pin connection to be controlled. and If you are worried about draw you can plug them in an monitor them through bios to see what they are drawing and rotating at. I have read that most water coolers though need their fans to operate at full capacity to get enough airflow through the radiator.

Full disclosure I'm pretty new to this though so there are probably other more experienced opinions out there than mine. Hope this helps

The fan connection layouts are on pg 1-24 of the hero manual if you are looking for the diagram.
CPU_FAN - Variable in Bios
CPU_OPT - Variable in Bios
CHA_FAN1 - Variable in Bios
CHA_FAN2 - Variable in Bios
CHA_FAN3 - Variable in Bios
AIO_PUMP - Full Speed
W_PUMP - Full speed - 3A
H_AMP - Variable in Bios - 3A

[Chino]

DOOGLAK wrote:
Yes I know that, but I'm asking where specifically I should connect them... CHA_Fan? CPU_Fan?
And I also have to have spots for the Kraken pump.

Thanks

It doesn't matter. Use the header that's most convenient for you. Regarding the HUB question, it depends on your HUB. Most HUBs draw their own power from a SATA or Molex cable so it only connects to the motherboard to give it control over the fans. The HUB doesn't really pull any power from the fan header.

[mdzcpa]

My suggestion:

Run your pump and radiator off the Kraken head unit and control with the Kraken software. You will be able to run your fans and pump separately based on the preset or custom profiles. You can use your provided rad fans or replace them as you planned. Will not matter. Plug the pump fan wire into the AIO header which will simply provide pump RPMs.

Run the other 5 case fans directly of the motherboard. Skip the hub. Set it up so that your most important 3 intake and exhaust fans use the motherboard case fam headers, and use CPU and Alt CPU for fans 4 and 5. By doing this you can use fan expert to set the fan profiles tp produce the best case air flow. You can run different rpms off the headers so that you can produce a slightly positive case air pressure which is good for dust reduction. This is better than all fans running the same rpm. If you like, you can get a few fan header splitters and run 2 fans off each of 2 of the mobo headers. If you pay attention to detail, run 2 intakes and 2 exhausts off each of 2 case fan headers, with the last fan on the 3rd mobo case fan header. Again, the idea is being able to control intake and exhaust fan rpms separately.

With the above, you can run your Kraken independently of your case fans. And you can run your intake and exhaust fans independently of each other. This gives you the most flexibility. Skip the PWM hub altogether if you can. Or, use it to run 3 exhaust or 3 intake fans of off it using one mobo header. Again, if you use the hub, make them all the same functionally (intake or exhaust). Now that you have all PWM case fans, and the Hero has all PWM headers, the need for the hub is pretty much eliminated. The only need to use the hub is if you have more fans than headers and you don't want to overload a header. The hub has its own power source.

[DOOGLAK]

mdzcpa wrote:
The only need to use the hub is if you have more fans than headers and you don't want to overload a header. The hub has its own power source.

This is pretty much all I wanted to confirm, so thanks for the super detailed response. I don't know much about pressure, but I know that I should have more exauhst fans than intake ones (I hope haha). I didn't realize there were enough headers on the IX Hero that are PWM controllable.

I'll probably set my 3 intake fans on the front as one group on a header, and my left over 1 top and back exauhst fans as another group, leaving the Radiator fans alone (they're also on the top).

It wouldn't be a huge issue if I just used the hub, would it? Does positive/negative pressure really matter that much?

Again, thanks for the great responses guys. Hopefully I can get to work installing it this weekend.