12 V 4-Pin CPU Fans

Keep Your Processor in Top Shape Using 4-Pin 12V CPU Fans

Cooling is one of the most important things to consider when building or even using a computer. Components use small doses of electricity to operate, and that results in the generation of heat. To regulate the heat and avoid permanently damaging important components, fans blow against heat sinks to reduce the operating temperatures of the components. These integral parts come in different diameters to cater to various computer builds.

What Types of 12 V CPU Fans Are Available?

• Laptop Assemblies: Laptops present a challenging problem for coming up with solutions to cool the cramped components. The common design solution used by many laptop makers is to flatten the fan against the motherboard and push the air out through the aluminum vents at the side or back of the laptop. These fans push the air out sideways instead of from the back and out into the front.
• Desktop Coolers: The most common 4-pin fans easily mount directly inside the computer case. This type of pin configuration allows for pulse width modulation (PWM) functions, which allow automatic or manual control of fan speeds through the motherboard BIOS settings. The extra pin also allows for PWM with LED-lit fans so the lights pulse with the audio coming from the computer.
• Third-Party Coolers: PWM fans connect to the pin sockets near the processor just like stock coolers. The assembly consists of a large aluminum heatsink with mounting points at two sides to allow for high-velocity air flow. PWM fans can change the speeds depending on the CPU load to optimize noise levels.
• Exhaust Fans: Exhaust fans may not require PWM functionality and can run at a constantly high velocity to keep the negative pressure going. Their connectors typically mate with those from the power supply with the same pin configuration and automatically turn on with the system.

In What Types of CPU Coolers Are These Fans Used?

• All-in-One Liquid Coolers: Liquid cooling units also have PWM-enabled fans mounted against the radiators. They take the place of the CPU fan to route air away from radiators fins; they can change speeds through PWM to regulate noise levels and cooling efficiency.
• Stock Air Coolers: Stock air cooling fans are also PWM-enabled. The 4-pin connector lets the motherboard regulate the intensity of the fan to match the workload of the CPU.
• Custom Liquid Coolers: Computer modders and custom builders also make use of the PWM connector so that their commissioned builds are within the standards in terms of proper temperature regulation. Many custom builds take overclocking ability into consideration, and this requires all the more cooling capabilities because the components will generate more heat than the usual.