System fan control

[wotg]

Just bought a new Gigabyte MB, H81M-S2PH. There are 4 pins in the system fan header. Pin 4 is named +5V. Is this MB capable to control system fan system via pwm? I am asking this question because I would like to know whether it worths to upgrade my current 3 pins system fan to a pwm fan.

 

[Outlander_04]

Yes its a PWM fan header

you can also just plug in a 3 pin fan

but then most people would use a molex directly from the psu

 

[wotg]

Thanks Outlander_04.

In my case, Pin 4 is labelled as +5V. What does it actually mean?

Other MB in the H81 series have Pin 4 labelled as VCC. What does VCC mean?

Also, what are the advantages of connecting to a molex instead?

 

[Nuclear101]

PWM = 4-Pin. It means that you can control fans. However, a molex from the PSU will turn it into a 3-pin un-controllable fan.

 

[Outlander_04]

Thanks Outlander_04.

In my case, Pin 4 is labelled as +5V. What does it actually mean?

Other MB in the H81 series have Pin 4 labelled as VCC. What does VCC mean?

Also, what are the advantages of connecting to a molex instead?

I dont see a 5v label when I look at the motherboard on its webpage , and when I look at the GA-H81M-HD3 I have here its labelled identically . Looks just like a PWM fan header to me and that is the only reason to add the forth pin .

Im not using the one I have here BTW . I am connected directly to molex with a 7 volt mod to lower the fan speed .I prefer that to the variation in fan speed which I think would be noticeable in an HTPC

Im sure that is a PWM header on your board

 

[wotg]

The pin labels of my Gigabyte motherboard and a few others are as follows:

H81M-S2PH
GND, Speed Control, Sense, +5V

H81M-HD3
GND, +12V/Speed Control, Sense, VCC

H81M-DS2
GND, +12V, Sense, Speed Control

Pin 4 of these MB are quite different: +5V. VCC and Speed Control. Could someone enlight me what do they mean by +5V and VCC?