3 and 4 pin sys fan connection

[hold]

I've recently purchased a small 4 pin computer fan for my case. I didn't notice until I tried to install it, that my motherboard has only a 3 pin connection for the sys fan slot. My question is, is a 4 pin still good to use on the 3 pin? If it is, will it short, overheat or ruin my motherboard? Thanks for any help.

 

[QueBert]

the 4th pin's for PWM, the fan will work fine you just won't be able to monitor & adjust the speed.

 

[wpcoe]

Can't you monitor the speed with a 3-pin connection?

 

[ericloewe]

Can't you monitor the speed with a 3-pin connection?

Yup.

Pins 1 and 2 are power, 3 is monitoring, 4 is PWM to control the fan.

 

[artvscommerce]

In my experience it depends on the fan. 3-pin fans are throttled by voltage and some PWM fans don't have a very wide range for operating voltage.