4 pin fan 3 pin header

And7rey

Distinguished
Nov 3, 2012
277
0
18,790
I bought a fan that has 4 pins but my mobo has only 3 , I know that the 4th is made for control so , my fan is probably going to run at max speed , is that going to make it's lifetime shorter? PS: I'll buy a new mobo in next month
 

H4X3R

Distinguished
You can still control the fan with a 3 pin but not as accurately as with a 4 pin (usually controlled in the BIOS or software that came with the motherboard). Usually all motherboard have AT LEAST 1 4 pin header. I assume that is being used by the CPU fan. it wont decrease the lifespan of the fan. I also question why you are going to buy a new motherboard?
 

And7rey

Distinguished
Nov 3, 2012
277
0
18,790


Because I want a new CPU and my current has an old AM3 socket , this one has also just 1 fan header , and it has only sata 2 ports , and only 1 PCI-Express port, and it has no USB3 port :/ ( Biostar NF520D3 ) But back to the fan thing , can the mobo control the speed of the fan? Or is it always going at the same time?