Motherboard only has 4-pin fan headers

[Eagle784]

So my CPU fan and system fan both have 3 pin connectors ; I know there are 4 pin molex adapters, but I don't think my psu has enough molex connections.

The my 3 pin fan connections seem to fit on the 4 pin headers, even the plastic tab fits. Can I connect them, or will it somehow spoil my fans? Thanks.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

I have no idea. What kind of mainboard?? What did the manual say??


...Galvanized

 

[Ayah]

You have an Intel based board I believe. (The 4 pin fan headers give it away)
Yes, normal 3 pin fan headers will work just fine.

 

[Eagle784]

Yea Intel Gigabyte DS3. Manual doesn't say anything about it, but thanks Ayah.

 

[krotchy]

the 4 pin header is a 3 pin header (ground, power, speed sensor) plus another pin for a PWM to control fan speed. The platic tab only goes accross 3 pins to make sure when you do insert a 3 pin fan it will align to the right pin. In the end they are completely compatible.

 

[Ayah]

Cheers :beer:

 

[Zepper]

As was said above, the 4-pin mobo fan connector is basically a 3-pin fan connector with an extra pin. If it was a true 4-pin connector, the alignment tab would go all the way across the connector.

.bh.