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Thread: 4-Pin PWM CPU fan into 3-pin motherboard socket?

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    4-Pin PWM CPU fan into 3-pin motherboard socket?

    I've just bought a new CPU cooler, and discovered that it has the new 4-pin plug on the end (it calls it a PWM plug). Seeing as the extra pin is for speed control and the other 3 are the same as before, would it be ok to plug the end into a 3-pin socket on the motherboard, and ignore the extra pin?

    If it helps, the cooler is a Akasa AK-876.

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    Re: 4-Pin PWM CPU fan into 3-pin motherboard socket?

    It will be fine.

    4-Pin controls by PWM
    3-Pin controls by Voltage

    In case of 4-Pin fan in 3-Pin header, the motherboard control the fan by Voltage, so is 3-Pin fan in 4-Pin header.

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    Re: 4-Pin PWM CPU fan into 3-pin motherboard socket?

    Thanks.

    I thought it would, but felt I should make sure before risking my CPU .

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    Re: 4-Pin PWM CPU fan into 3-pin motherboard socket?

    The CPU cooler I wanna get has a 3-pin but the one my comp comes with has a 4.
    Is there any converter from 3 to 4?
    What should I do?

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    Re: 4-Pin PWM CPU fan into 3-pin motherboard socket?

    3-pin should plug into a 4-pin socket OK in fact it should be keyed so that you can only use the right 3 pins.

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    Re: 4-Pin PWM CPU fan into 3-pin motherboard socket?

    And it wouldn't cause any difficulties in functionality?

    Thanx
    Last edited by Lightstryk; 25-08-2009 at 11:10 PM.

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    Re: 4-Pin PWM CPU fan into 3-pin motherboard socket?


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    Re: 4-Pin PWM CPU fan into 3-pin motherboard socket?

    Quote Originally Posted by Lightstryk View Post
    And it wouldn't cause any difficulties in functionality?

    Thanx
    On my Asus P5k WIfi/AP 3 pin CPU fans cannot have their speeds controlled by the motherboard. Oddly enough, it can control the speeds of 3 pin fans connected to the chassis fan connectors.
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    Re: 4-Pin PWM CPU fan into 3-pin motherboard socket?

    Lol yea true, but it'll turn at a good speed right? Not like slow?

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    Re: 4-Pin PWM CPU fan into 3-pin motherboard socket?

    If it can't control the speed, the fan will run at it's full RPM.

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    Re: 4-Pin PWM CPU fan into 3-pin motherboard socket?

    Quote Originally Posted by BUFF View Post
    3-pin should plug into a 4-pin socket OK in fact it should be keyed so that you can only use the right 3 pins.
    As BUFF has stressed, just make sure you plug it in right!

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    Senior Member watercooled's Avatar
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    Re: 4-Pin PWM CPU fan into 3-pin motherboard socket?

    It would be hard to put it in the wrong way anyway since it's keyed and you'd probably have to bend pins to get it in the wrong way.

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