The Nexus+ 2 fan hub operates via a PWM fan connector to the motherboard, which enables it to efficiently control the speed from a fan header to all connected fans. By synchronizing the fan speeds to a percentage of their maximum capacity, the hub ensures optimal performance and enhances the overall cooling efficiency of the system.
Whether you’re a DIY system builder or one of our valued customers who purchased a Blue Aura Computer and find yourself puzzled by the hub’s functionality, you’ve arrived at the perfect destination. We are here to assist you in comprehending how the hub works, ensuring that you have all the necessary information to make informed decisions about adding or replacing fans.
In the event that you’ve purchased a trading computer from us that features this hub, it’s beneficial to understand its inner workings should you wish to add more fans or replace a faulty one down the road. By being equipped with this knowledge, you’ll be better prepared to address any potential issues that may arise, ensuring your computer continues to run smoothly and efficiently.
The Fractal Design Define 7 and the Meshify 2 cases have the Nexus+ 2 Fan Hub included. There is a different version of the hub, called the Nexus+ 2 Slim that is included on a number of different Fractal Design cases, such as the Torrent model.
For our customers. We would like to emphasize the importance of exercising caution when installing or replacing fans. It is important to be aware that any damage incurred replacing fans or modifying the fan controller will not be covered under our warranty. To guarantee the safety and longevity of your computer while preserving its warranty, we strongly urge you to consider seeking professional assistance if you find yourself uncertain about the proper installation or replacement procedures. By doing so, you can ensure that your computer remains intact and protected against any inadvertent damage. Our team is always here to assist you with any concerns or queries you may have.
Now, let’s take a closer look at the setup and functionality of the Fractal Design Nexus+ 2 fan hub, which is integrated into several of their top-rated cases. We’ll delve into the details of this little hub, examining its features, benefits, and setup for regulating your computer’s cooling system.
Fractal Design’s hub design may seem complex at first glance, but once you delve into its functionality, you’ll discover it’s a relatively straightforward concept. The hub’s primary purpose is to connect at least one 4-pin PWM fan to the “FAN1” port, which is clearly identified as the right-most connector when you observe the trio of 4-pin connectors. Overall, the hub’s design is elegantly simple and user-friendly.
No, it’s not possible to control the fans connected to the hub separately. They will all run at the same percentage based on the primary PWM fan speed. When you connect all nine fans to the hub, they will synchronize and spin together, adjusting their speed up and down according to the PWM fan settings you’ve configured in the BIOS. We’ll delve into this topic in more detail shortly.
No, you can’t just connect 3-pin fans. There has to be at least one 4-pin PWM fan connected to the hub. This is probably the greatest source of confusion with setting up the fan hub.
This hub is designed to simplify the task of connecting fans, beginning with at least one 4-pin PWM fan then additional 3-pin and 4-pin fans. It may seem confusing at first, especially since the Fractal Design Define 7 case is supplied by default with only 3-pin fans and no 4-pin fans. However, Fractal Design assumes that users will attach their 4-pin CPU fan to the hub. Then the hub’s PWM cable will connect to the CPU_FAN header port on the motherboard. Ultimately, the hub’s purpose is to streamline the fan management process while ensuring optimal airflow by syncing the fans to all work together.
Below is the hub shown in the Fractal Design Define 7 case. On this chassis it’s installed at the top of the case on the backside of the motherboard tray. On the left side of the hub are six 3-pin fan connectors. On the right side there are three 4-pin fan connectors. The right side also has the SATA power connector and the 4-pin connector that plugs into the CPU fan connector or any chassis fan connector on the motherboard.
In the image below, you can observe a close-up of the three 4-pin connectors. Pay special attention to the connector on the right, distinguished by a white outline. This particular port must be connected with a 4-pin PWM fan. If you have one or two 4-pin PWM fans connected to the hub, ensure that one of them is plugged into the right-most port featuring the white outline. The PWM fan connected to the right fan port on the hub serves as the source of the PWM signal, dictating the speed of all the fans on the hub.
This is a powered hub, so it’s required that the SATA power connector be connected to the power supply. Additionally, there is a 4-pin PWM cable coming from the hub, which should be connected to either a 4-pin chassis fan port on the motherboard or the CPU fan port. This initial decision will determine how you configure your hub and cooling system.
While it is entirely up to you, we recommend keeping the fan hub separate from your CPU cooling solution, be it a basic air cooler or a liquid cooling setup. By doing so, you ensure that your CPU cooling operates independently from the hub, which can be advantageous in case of any rare malfunction or failure of the fan hub. Please note that this suggestion is purely our preference, and you are free to configure the fan hub according to your own preferences.
The following image below represents the stock configuration for the Nexus+ 2 fan hub. In this setup, we have the three stock case fans that accompany the Fractal Design Define 7 case. As all three of these fans are 3-pin, they should be connected to the left side of the hub, which houses a max of six 3-pin connectors. On the right side, there is a single 4-pin PWM fan connected. This fan can serve as either a case fan or the primary CPU fan, attached to the CPU heatsink.
As mentioned earlier, we prefer to keep the CPU separate and connect it to the motherboard’s CPU fan port. Replacing the stock fans with four 4-pin 1500RPM PWM fans is a great option. Ideally, three of these fans would be set up as intakes, while one would function as an exhaust. Typically, there is a convenient motherboard chassis fan port near the rear exhaust fan, allowing us to directly connect the exhaust fan to the motherboard.
To control the three PWM intake fans, we utilize the Nexus+ 2 fan hub. For these fans, we highly recommend the Noctua 1500 RPM models. Specifically, we have included an image of the Noctua NF-A14 PWM Chromax Black fans featuring blue anti-vibration pads.
Another configuration option would be similar to the stock configuration. Since the front of the Fractal Design Define 7 case can fit three 140mm fans you could take the rear exhaust Fractal fan and install it in the front along with the other two. Then you’d need a 4-pin PWM fan for the rear, we recommend any of the Noctua 1,500 RPM models.
Your BIOS setup most likely will look different than the image below. This is a screenshot from an ASUS BIOS. Make sure your changing the correct fan port. The chassis fan you’ll change will be the one that the hub PWM cable is connected to on the motherboard.
The Q-Fan control should be set to AUTO or preferably PWM Mode. The profile can be set to AUTO or Manual if you want to make individual changes to all the speed limits. If the fan source is set to CPU the fans will spin up and down with the pre-set temp limits for the processor. We aren’t going to go into too much detail on setting the BIOS for the hub. Feel free to explore various fan speed settings in order to achieve an optimal balance between minimal noise levels and sufficient cooling.
We hope that this article has provided valuable assistance in installing and setting up the Fractal Design Nexus+ 2 fan hub.
Questions? We’re here to help! At Blue Aura Computers, we’re dedicated to providing exceptional customer service, and we’re always ready to assist you in any way we can. If you’ve purchased a computer from us and you require any assistance adding or replacing fans, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We strive to provide prompt and effective support, ensuring that you have a seamless and enjoyable experience with our products.