4 pin intel fan header

[MidNiteMysT]

is there some sort of adapter to connect a 3 pin to a 4pin cpu fan header on a intel and be able to control the fan speed via the intels software. the intels cpu fan has a 4 pin header (not molex) but if its only 3 pin, it wont allow you to control it. so maybe there somes sort of adapter that connects 4 pins to the header with only the 3 pin. it would really help since i make the computer increase the cpu fan speed when it gets hot instead of the fan just going one speed, fast or slow.

 

[cryptonomicon]

as for the connector, try visiting frozencpu.com

as for the program, i suggest speedfan (google it)

 

[MidNiteMysT]

i already know about speedfan, i downloaded it and used it before. but i already have a program to control fan speeds so i dont need it.

btw, can you point out the thing im asking for? i dont even know where to find it on frozencpu.com. so if your gonna link something, link something that has what im talking about.

 

[cryptonomicon]

well, im now confused. I believe the 4pin header you have is some sort of OEM header. What motherboard is it? is it an OEM mfg board? As far as I know there are 3pin, 2pin, and 4pin (MOLEX) connectors. I can't find anything on that site about a 4pin fan header so I think it must be an OEM part!

edit:

also, FYI, only two pins are required to control your fan. I know this because I run my panaflo's off my motherboard header and they are software controlled, and I do not use any monitoring wire on them (thus, there is only the +12v and -12v wires that feed into them). So you might be able to look at the wires and move them around in the header casing so it works the right way. The monitoring wire really isn't necessary.. only to know if the fan has died and is at 0 RPM, but you could find that out by getting a temp alert as well.

 

[FlyingPenguin]

4 pin is an special OEM header. Dell uses them. No one makes an adapter that I know of.

Assuming the mobo will boot without a fan connected to the header (some Dells won't) I'd recommend you buy a nice quiet fan like a Nexus fan and just plug it into a spare 4 pin HDD connector.

If the computer won't boot without the fan plugged into the header then you're going to have to order a replacement from the manufacturer.

 

[MidNiteMysT]

yea, the mobo is made from intel so its that special oem fan header. i have a nexus fan on there now connected to the mobo. but what ide really like to do is put a stronger fan on there but have it controlled via the mobo so when the comp gets hot, it will cool it down, but when the comp is already cool, the fan will be nice and quiet. the nexus will be quiet all the time and blow not such great air regardless of the cpu temp. i have a xp-120 btw.

i guess theres no adapter...

 

[FlyingPenguin]

If you have a nexus fan you don't need a stronger fan. Nexus fans push a lot of air and are very silent. Anything else you put in there that's in the same noise range will only push less air.

I use Nexus fans in all my own rigs. Check the specs - that's a LOT of air flow. Don't make the mistake of thinking less noise is less air flow. The Nexus fan is so quiet because of the blade design.

Bottom line unless you order a fan from the OEM manufacturer or a 3rd party that specifically makes fans for that system, you're not going to be able to adapt anything for that 4 pin header.

Leave the Nexus in there if it works and be happy.