To know if your fan setup is safe and compatible, you'll need to confirm two key pieces of information:

• Power Limit of the controller and/or header
• Power Draw of the fan(s)

This information can be found in a few places, including but not limited to:

• Product Box/Manual - For motherboards this information is usually found in the user's manual, however it may be more easily accessible on the box itself for controllers and fans.
• Manufacturer's Website - The component manufacturers will generally include this as part of the Specs listed on the Product page.
• (Fans Only) Product Sticker - Depending on the fan model, this may be on the hub, frame, or tagged on the cable.  This will usually follow the format of DC 12V - <current, i.e. 0.55A>.

As all PC fans are rated at 12 Volts, we will need the current or amperage to calculate the total power.

How do I calculate the Power Draw?

To calculate the power draw, use the following formula:

Voltage x Total Current (Amps) = Total Power (Watts) 

As PC fans are generally rated at 12 Volt, we only need to calculate the Total Current by adding current of the individual fans being connected to the header.  If you are using a single fan or single-frame fan this total current will be provided on the product page.  If you are using a Y-splitter, you will need to add this total together.

Example:

• F120X (0.55A) x 3

0.55A x 3 = 1.65A

12V x 1.65A =  19.8W

Does RGB contribute to the Power Draw?

This will depend on your fan model, however most NZXT fans will not include RGB as part of the Power Draw as they include a dedicated power line for RGB lighting.  For more information, please refer to the fan user's manual.

What is the Power Limit?

The Power Limit is the total safe amount of power draw that is supported by a header.  For many motherboards, this will be 12W or 12V @ 1A while others will support up to 24W or 12V @ 2A.  It is not recommended to exceed the Power Limit for any connected fans.

What happens if I exceed the Power Limit?

Exceeding the Power Limit can result in reduced performance of the fans or damage to the header or controller used.  Because of this, it is not recommended to exceed the Power Limit.

How do I get a higher Power Limit?

If you need a higher Power Limit, you will need to use a Fan Controller with a higher rated Power Limit.  Most controllers will include a per-header Power limit or a Total Power Limit for the full controller.