Will a 3-pin Power Connector work on a 4-pin fan header?

[ITsonic]

I have a question will a 3-pin Power Connector work on a 4-pin fan header or vice versa?

 

[delluser1]

Yes, a 4 pin on a 3 pin header won't have PWM control though

 

[Timop]

No adapter needed, just plug them with the PWM-pin unfilled.

 

[ITsonic]

they do make adapters for just such things..

Yeah they do but they don't make them for a 4 pin header only 4-pin connector for the PSU.

 

[ITsonic]

What like?

@Timop but what about fourth pin on the header what's that for?

 

[Timop]

What like?

@Timop but what about fourth pin on the header what's that for?

The fourth pin is for PWM, a form of fan speed control.
3-pin fans can still change speeds, the Mobo simply reduces the volts supplied.

 

[ITsonic]

So the Mobo will make the fan run at a slower speed or something by reduceing the volts?

 

[ITsonic]

Best answer selected by ITsonic.

 

[Lim Chi Yuung]

but my cpu fan maxed out with 3-pin connector on 4-pin header

 

[RaawrItsTomi]

but my cpu fan maxed out with 3-pin connector on 4-pin header

Oops i didn't mean to choose this as the solution. Anyway i'm having the same problem as you. Is the 3-pin supposed to be connected to the left side or the right side :S http://prntscr.com/4ml74n

 

[Lim Chi Yuung]

but my cpu fan maxed out with 3-pin connector on 4-pin header

Oops i didn't mean to choose this as the solution. Anyway i'm having the same problem as you. Is the 3-pin supposed to be connected to the left side or the right side :S http://prntscr.com/4ml74n

it's too late but nvm i'll just answer your question anyway. the correct way is A. my solution to it was that i bought a new motherboard that has 4-pin header.

 

[westedge]

Excellent! So I bought a replacement fan for my Laptop, but turns out it is a 3 pin (Red, Blue, Black wires) that I have to swap with the plug from my old fan that fits the socket (Red, Blue, Yellow, Black). Except I will leave the Yellow empty. Being that the Yellow wire is only for the Tachometer am I right in assuming that there will be no ill effects leaving this wire out of the equation? I've also read/seen elsewhere that this solution will leave my fan running at maximum speed constantly - which is fine by me as it seems that my laptop needs to be well ventilated anyway. Any suggestions, comments, warnings? Thank you all!