Explain to me fan headers

[T_Yamamoto]

If a motherboard says it has 2 fan headers (on the manufacturer's website and next to it in () it says ( 3pin, 4pin), does this mean there are two sets of those or one of each?

For example the MSI G43

Does it have one of each (3 pin and 4pin) for a total of 4 3 pin and 4 4pin or just 2 3 pin and 2 4pin

 

[Magic Carpet]

If a motherboard says it has 2 fan headers (on the manufacturer's website and next to it in () it says ( 3pin, 4pin), does this mean there are two sets of those or one of each?

No, its just two set of headers (4 pins each) to which you can either connect a 3-pin or 4-pin fan. Usually, System FAN 1 & 2.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Bond, James Bond.

So in total 2 4pin and 2 3 pin?

 

[bononos]

2 fan headers means 2 fan headers not 4 - that was your question. Your pic for the G43 however says that it has 1 cpu fan header and 4 other fan headers.

 

[jacktesterson]

My G43 (P67 version ) has 1 CPU fan header, and 4 other fan headers.


(That pic says that too..)

 

[piasabird]

See if the motherboard has a good high quality photo that you can look at.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

2 fan headers means 2 fan headers not 4 - that was your question. Your pic for the G43 however says that it has 1 cpu fan header and 4 other fan headers.

I don't think you guys are understanding what I'm trying to say

The G43 has 4 fan headers so does that mean a "fan header" means one 3 pin and one 4 pin?

 

[Maximilian]

Pull up a high res picture of the board you are interested in on google images and look at it. Simple as that, its how i figured out my board has no front USB3 connector

 

[doesn't_compute]

The MB fan connectors have four pins and it is made so that a three pin fan connector or four pin fan connector can be plugged into it.

According to that pic, there are four of these connectors to run four fans.

 

[bononos]

I don't think you guys are understanding what I'm trying to say

The G43 has 4 fan headers so does that mean a "fan header" means one 3 pin and one 4 pin?

Ok, the manufacturers website may have a mistake if theres a difference - it would be a rare case though. Fan headers may be 3 or 4 pin and the spec you included doesn't say. Did you try taking a look for yourself?

 

[dahhbears!]

Wait, you can plug 3 pin fans into 4 pins headers on the board?

Really?

 

[N4n45h1]

Wait, you can plug 3 pin fans into 4 pins headers on the board?

Really?

Yep. There is usually a plastic guide to make sure the 3pin fits correctly.

 

[Don Karnage]

Only 2 fan headers? Horrible.

 

[Magic Carpet]

The G43 has 4 fan headers so does that mean a "fan header" means one 3 pin and one 4 pin?

An m/b fan header is, usually, 4 pins. More questions?

 

[T_Yamamoto]

An m/b fan header is, usually, 4 pins. More questions?

No. Thanks for the help yall

 

[richaron]

afaik 3 pin = positive, negative, & ground. 4 pin has an extra header to feedback rpms so you can do fancy stuff like read/conlroll fan speed.

....could be way off tho

 

[doesn't_compute]

This is from my MB manual. It shows the little tab for three prong fan connectors.

 

[SpeedTester]

afaik 3 pin = positive, negative, & ground. 4 pin has an extra header to feedback rpms so you can do fancy stuff like read/conlroll fan speed.

....could be way off tho

I'm pretty sure its Pin 1 Ground, Pin 2 Positive, Pin 3 Fan Tach Signal.