3pin vs 4pin fan header

M

mrwill

Limp Gawd
Joined
Dec 26, 2005
Messages
174
I have a 4 pin M/B header that I would like to use with a case fan that has a 3 pin connector. Is there an adapter or can I just plug it in a certain way?

The 4 pin header is labeled CPU, but my CPU fan will be controlled with a rheostat type fan controller, so I wanted to control the case fan using M/B software (that is typically used to control the CPU fan).
 
I know that with my Biostar NF61S motherboard I could plug a 3pin directly into the 4pin with no adapter. When I did that I had to go into the bios and change it so it knew the fan was 3 pin and after that it worked perfect.
 
I will try that. Not sure if I should put the 3 pin connector to the right 3 pins of the 4 pin header or to the left 3 pins of the 4 pin header. Can I assume it will not hurt anything if I get it wrong, or will it work either way?
 
There will be a little piece of plastic sticking up out of the connector which will only allow you to plug the connector in to one specific set of three pins. Just give it a shot and you'll see what I mean by that.
 
its an induction coil, you could plug it into a 3.5mm audio jack and it would still work.

Yes, plugging your 3pin fan connector into the 4pin cpu header is fine.
 
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