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Helpful ReplyCase FAN 3PIN vs 4PIN

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2017/03/24 21:31:04 (permalink)
Hey guys, 
 
I'm finishing my long on and of build and need your help. 
 
Case: Thermaltake Commander MS-I Snow Edition VN40006W2N
Mobo: EVGA Z170FTW
 
I noticed that the FAN which came with the case has 3PINS while the motherboard has 4PINS only.
Since I'm looking forward to replace the case FAN, I want to know first if there's anything I should take into consideration.
3 PIN FAN on a 4PIN motherboard is a disadvantage on speed or so?  
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    XrayMan
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    Re: Case FAN 3PIN vs 4PIN 2017/03/24 21:44:06 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby XrayMan 2017/03/24 22:39:36
     
     
    You can plug a 3-pin CPU fan into a 4-pin socket on the motherboard with no problem. The fan will just run at full speed.
     
                                  

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    loveha
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    Re: Case FAN 3PIN vs 4PIN 2017/03/24 22:22:21 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby NPNiles 2017/03/26 10:43:46
    The 4th wire is PWM or Pulse Width Modulation and it does a better job at reducing and controlling fan speed than reducing the voltage for a 3 pin fan.
    There is no disadvantage, and depending on the board you can change certain fan headers to how they control the fan. Either by PWM, or voltage, but some can't control via voltage, so you would be at full speed. PWM fans are typically more expensive, but can work better at slower speeds.

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    bob16314
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    Re: Case FAN 3PIN vs 4PIN 2017/03/24 23:39:56 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby NPNiles 2017/03/26 10:43:38
    You can use a 3-wire fan (voltage controlled rpm) on a 4-pin fan header or a 4-wire fan (PWM controlled) on a 3-pin fan header as shown here.
     
    In the Z170 BIOS you'll notice there are two modes of operation that can be chosen for the chassis fan headers, DC Mode or PWM Mode, so you're covered there using either 3-wire or 4-wire fans and still have speed control, otherwise they'd run full blast..4-wire fans are better..You need a 4-wire PWM fan for the CPU fan.

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    Re: Case FAN 3PIN vs 4PIN 2017/03/26 10:44:06 (permalink)
    Thank you all for your input. 
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    quadlatte
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    Re: Case FAN 3PIN vs 4PIN 2017/03/26 22:20:00 (permalink)
    One thing to remember with 3 pin fans, they can stall at certain voltages, all fans are designed to work at around 12v dc, they will run at lower voltage at a slower speed though but once it drops below a certain number the fan stops or starts to stutter. This number will vary so you need to know the specs. For best control just go with 4 pin pwm fans.

                                   
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    XrayMan
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    Re: Case FAN 3PIN vs 4PIN 2017/03/26 22:33:24 (permalink)
     
    Why not a 3 pin to 4 pin fan adapter cable?
     
     
    https://www.amazon.com/4Pin-3Pin-Standard-Adapter-Cable/dp/B015NM4HOE/ref=pd_lpo_147_lp_t_4?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=60TABWK0AJDSQKP9HDSR

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