4 pin to 3 pin fan connector issue

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J

Jamston

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Aug 7, 2012
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I recently upgraded my mobo and the 4 pin fan connector on the board was just too far away to plug my front fan in. I have a molex converter on there now so it works, but its not plugged into the board and I would like to be able to control and monitor the fan speed. So I ordered some 4 pin extenders, they arrived today and I have realised that my fan is a 3 pin connector, so my question is, can I use them? If so, which pin on the extender should be left blank? The wires on the extender are blue, green, yellow and black.

Cheers
 
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photonboy

photonboy

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Jun 20, 2006
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You MAY be able to control fan speed but not all motherboards support 4-pin and 3-pin both.

If it doesn't work via your fan control software then either:
a) the board has no fan speed control for 3-pin (Voltage) fans, or

b) Your fan is non-variable which is common.

Attach the 4-pin connector to the motherboard as it only goes one way and in doing so you can see which wires are connecting and which is left blank.

If you need a different fan, then one of these look good (confirm they fit):
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/lepa-case-fan-lpvx12p
or
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/bitfenix-case-fan-bffblfp12025orp

I got similar Bitfenix fans and they run at about 700RPM and are pretty much silent. Looking at the specs alone I'd recommend the Bitfenix.
 
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J

Jamston

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Aug 7, 2012
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The notch on the mobo is cut so it would allow the 3 pin fan to be connected to the 4 pin connector, if you get what I mean. I am more concerned about what pin to leave blank on the end of the 4 pin extender thing.
 
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J

Jamston

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Aug 7, 2012
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Got it sorted now. I looked at what pin would be left blank on the motherboard when a 3 pin is connected, then left that pin blank on the end of the converter when I connected the fan. It works fine and the is showing up as connected and reporting the speed in the bios.
 
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