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4-pin Fan To 3-pin Header On Motherboard?

Tags:
  • Cooler Master
  • Fan
  • Components
  • Motherboards
Last response: in Components
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August 8, 2014 10:28:00 PM

Hello,

I am interested in buying the CoolerMaster 120mm Jetflo Fan Cooler. But the problem is that the fan has a 4-pin connector but my motherboard only have 2 of 4-pin connectors and 4 of 3-pin connectors. I am planning to buy 5 of these but my motherboard only has 2 of 4-pin meaning it can only natively support 2 of these fan

Can I still use the other 3 fans which is a 4-pin into a 3-pin header on a motherboard? I do not mind running these at 100% because I am a headphone user.

Here is my motherboard info. Go to page TWO for the layout.
http://66.226.78.22/downloadsite/manual/qig/970%20Extre...

As you can see, only two are 4-pins, the rest are 3-pins. Here is the cooler itself:
http://www.umart.com.au/umart1/pro/Products-details.pht...

Thank you.

More about : pin fan pin header motherboard

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a b V Motherboard
August 8, 2014 10:30:31 PM

Yes, they work the same, you just won't have pulse width modulation control which is what the fourth pin is for. Usually the motherboard will still control voltages to a 3 pin header.
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August 8, 2014 10:42:41 PM

Thank you for the answers. But I heard that in "most" cases that a 4-pin to a 3-pin may not work and may damage the component according to the last post of this forum thread - http://facepunch.com/showthread.php?t=1085745
Keep in mind this is a PWM fan. People say a PWM fan needs a PWM connector (aka 4-pin). So I am not so sure...

EDIT: I do like the fans to run at full speed regardless. My PC is already loud enough so anything louder I do not care anymore.
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a b V Motherboard
August 8, 2014 10:55:15 PM

No, it won't damage your system.
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August 8, 2014 11:02:04 PM

Thanks. I will buy these then.
Cheers!
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