Different fan connectors on the motherboard?

[skeletorbro]

Recently I just got my case (Corsair 230T) and my MoBo (Asrock H97m Pro 4) and had a quick question regarding the fans. Looking at my mobo manual I see this:

2 x CPU Fan Connectors (1 x 4-pin, 1 x 3-pin)
2 x Chassis Fan Connectors (1 x 4-pin, 1 x 3-pin)
1 x Power Fan Connector (3-pin)

Now my case (Corsair 230T) comes with three fans preinstalled (2 in the front and 1 in the back) and ideally I'd like to use all of them. Since there are only 2 "chassis fan" connectors but multiple "CPU Fans" and "power fans" I was wondering if I could plug in one of the fans here. If this is possible any way I should prioritize where to plug each fan? Also can a 4 pin connector work on 3 pins?

 

[skeletorbro]

Bump!

 

[clutchc]

You can use any 3 or 4 pin MB fan header for your case fans. But if the fans are std. 3 wire fans, the 4 pin Chassis Fan header probably will not provide speed control for them. Those are PWM controllable headers in BIOS and require a 4 pin PWM fan. The 3 wire fans plugged into them will always run at full RPM.

The header marked PWR is generally for connecting to a PSU with a separate fan cable. That header is also full RPM only. But it is fine for connecting your case fan to.

The 3 wire CPU fan header is fine to use, but may be BIOS controlled by the temp of the CPU. Your MB manual may tell you if it is.

And of course, the 3 pin Chassis Fan header is probably controllable in BIOS for speed by the temp of the sensor on the MB.

 

[skeletorbro]

Thank you this is great news