Is it okay to plug in a 3-pin case fan plug into a 4-pin socket on my mobo?

[Bonesbobman]

If yes, does it matter what side (Left or right) I plug it in? Do I plug it into the socket that says "SYS_FAN"?

Photo of 3-pin connector: http://forums.techguy.org/attachments/221710d1363225182/3pinfansensor.jpg

Photo of 4-pin socket (Ignore the "CPU_FAN" text in the image): http://www.pcstats.com/articleimages/200801/LGA775install_pwm.jpg

My mobo is Gigabyte GA-78LMT-USB3
Link: http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4305#ov

Thanks a bunch in advance.

 

[taenbolle]

yes, i did the same to the system i am running now.
just for to be safe, do not do with your cpu fan.(of course there are is a 4 pin just for the cpu fan)

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

It will only go on one way , but yes it's fine to do so.

 

[taenbolle]

i did so the right pin was open

 

[cklaubur]

yes, i did the same to the system i am running now.
just for to be safe, do not do with your cpu fan.(of course there are is a 4 pin just for the cpu fan)

You can plug a 3-pin CPU fan into a 4-pin socket on the motherboard with no danger. The fan will just run at full speed since it is not a PWM fan.

Casey

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

http://www.erodov.com/forums/3-pin-4-pin-fan-plugin-guide/2095.html