Fan controllers and accessories cover the parts that regulate and connect case fans: controllers, hubs, splitters, adapters and extension cables, plus a few fan-related extras. They suit anyone building a quiet or well-cooled PC. Noctua, Lamptron, Akasa and Lian Li are the leading brands in our range.
How to choose a fan controller or fan accessory
Connector type. Check whether your fans use 3-pin (voltage controlled) or 4-pin PWM connectors. Most modern fans and motherboard headers use 4-pin PWM, and a 4-pin plug also fits a 3-pin header, but speed control then works differently.
Number of channels and power. Count the fans you want to run and make sure the controller or hub has enough channels. Each channel and the controller as a whole have a current limit, so add up the rated current of your fans before you connect several to one output, especially with high-speed models.
Manual or automatic control. A controller with knobs or a touchscreen lets you set speeds without opening software. A hub or splitter that follows the motherboard signal needs no adjustment and suits a set-and-forget build. If you want fixed lower speeds for a quiet system, a low-noise adapter is the simpler route.
Mounting and size. Controllers are fitted in a drive bay, a rear slot or simply inside the case, so check what your case offers. Dimensions in our range run from very small items of a few millimetres, such as adapters and connectors, up to a 120 x 120 x 25 mm fan-sized product, so read the measurements before ordering.
Lighting and cable length. If you run addressable RGB fans, confirm that the connector and voltage match your lighting controller, because 5 V and 12 V headers are not interchangeable. Extension cables are worth ordering in the right length for large cases, where the stock fan cable often falls short. Black is the most practical colour for hidden cabling, while silver and blue options exist for visible builds.
Fan controller and accessory brands we carry
- Noctua: an Austrian manufacturer known for very quiet fans, and its range here also includes adapters, splitters and extension cables designed for its own fans.
- Lamptron: known for fan controllers with a hands-on approach, including models with knobs or a display for adjusting several channels.
- Akasa: a cooling specialist that makes cables, adapters and fan-related accessories alongside heatsinks and fans.
- Lian Li: best known for aluminium PC cases and for fans with daisy-chain connections that cut down on cable clutter.
- Corsair: makes the iCUE ecosystem, which links fans, lighting and controllers through one software suite.
- Arctic: known for good-value fans, with PWM models that let several fans share a single cable connection.
- Alphacool, Bitspower and Barrow: custom water cooling specialists, so their parts suit liquid-cooled builds.
- SilverStone: a case and power supply maker with a long history of bay-mounted PC accessories.
Also in our range: INLINE and Kolink.
Frequently asked questions about fan controllers
What does a fan controller do?
A fan controller sets how fast your case fans spin. Lower speeds reduce noise, while higher speeds improve airflow when the system is under load. Some controllers are adjusted by hand and others follow temperature or a software profile.
Do I need a fan controller if my motherboard has fan headers?
Not always. Many motherboards can control fan speed through the BIOS or software. A separate controller or hub becomes useful when you have more fans than headers, or when you prefer to adjust speeds from the front of the case.
What is the difference between 3-pin and 4-pin fans?
A 3-pin fan is controlled by changing its voltage, while a 4-pin fan uses a separate PWM signal wire. PWM generally allows finer speed control and a wider speed range. Both connectors are physically compatible, so a 4-pin fan can be plugged into a 3-pin header.
Can I connect several fans to one header?
Yes, with a splitter or hub, as long as the total current of the fans stays within the header's limit. This limit is usually printed in the motherboard manual. For many or high-power fans, a powered hub or controller is the safer option.
