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

[Silent Shark]

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.

[arthurleung]

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.

[Silent Shark]

Thanks.

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

[Lightstryk]

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?

[BUFF]

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.

[Lightstryk]

And it wouldn't cause any difficulties in functionality?

Thanx

[BUFF]

[badass]

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.

[Lightstryk]

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

[Funkstar]

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

[UseItNow]

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!

[watercooled]

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.