How to tell what type of CPU Fan Connector?

woovoong

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Dec 22, 2007
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i've been saving up to buy parts for my new computer, the fan is louder than me shoving a firecracker in ur ear. i wanted to do a whole redon, new mobo, keyboard, mouse and add more ram. the problem is that i dont know what type of fan connector for the cpu is. how can i tell.

the mobo im planning on buy is ASUS M2A-VM, heres a link to it: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131172,
can someone tell me how i can tell or tell me wat type of cpu connector type it is? whether its 3 pin or 4 pin. can someone show/teach me how to look for it? thx
 
Almost all modern boards(this one included) has a 4 pin cpu fan connector. All the 4th pin is for is a PWM(Pulse Width Modulation) single to control fan speed. Either way a 3 pin fan will run on a 4 pin board and a 4 pin fan will run on a 3 pin board. Speed control with voltage still works on a PWM fan....and if you run a 3 pin fan on a 4 pin board there is an option in the bios to control fan speed with voltage...

4in4a.jpg

As you see it's a normal plug with an extra pin....Left side is a 3 pin right is a 4 pin plugged in...
 

woovoong

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Dec 22, 2007
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Ok, but sometimes, like on my mobo, stock from dell dimension e521, it only has a 4 pin, but if u were to buy it from other sites or companies, they should have 4 pin correct? for example; my mobo wouldnt allow a 3 pin due to the little slits to keep it in place, but others now can do allow you to connect it with out the slits?
 

Some dells(new ones) will use a 4pin pwm others used a 4pin dell proprietary connector