Computer 3 Pin Fan Connector Pinout

Chassis and cpu fans may use either 3 pin or 4 pin power connectors.

Computer 3 pin fan connector pinout.

4 pin connectors are usually used by cpu fans with higher power consumption. When no revolutions are sensed by the system an audio alarm or no system boot will occur warning the user or preventing proccessor overheating and burnout. Chassis and cpu fans may use either 3 pin or 4 pin power connectors. While they look nice and do adapt 4 pin fans to 3 pin outlets esp.

Ground 12 v sense control. It is a small thick rectangular in line female connector with two polarizing tabs on the outer most edge of one long side. The signal wire measures how fast the fan is moving without any controls for the fan s speed. Three pin molex connector kk family this molex connector is used when connecting a fan to the motherboard or other circuit board.

A pwm capable fan is usually connected to a 4 pin connector pinout. Connectors usually used for computer fans are the following. 3 pin connectors are usually used for the smaller chassis fans with lower power consumption while 4 pin connectors are usually used by cpu fans with higher power consumption. A three pin connector is basically power 5 12 volt ground and signal.

It will also have three square holes on the front and three wires entering the back. Fans and on board fan headers are backwards compatible. A 3 pin fan connector will be smaller in size than the 4 pin pwm fan connector. 3 pin connectors are usually used for the smaller chassis fans with lower power consumption.

2 pack sata to 3 pin 4 pin pmw 12v pc case fan power adapter cable 3 pin or 4 pin pwm connector to 15 pin sata computer cooler cooling fan power cable 4 0 out of 5 stars 24 7 59 7. 4 pin connectors are usually used by cpu fans with higher power consumption. So these adapters arrived and were much needed. Note that chassis and cpu fans may use either 3 pin or 4 pin power connectors.

The image below displaying is the difference between a 4 pin pwm fan connector left and a 3 pin fan connector right. The sense pin is used to relay the rotation speed of the fan and the control pin is an open drain or open collector output which requires a pull up to 5 v or 3 3 v in the fan. Fans with three pin connectors must be used on 3 pin cpu fan pinouts. 3 pin connectors are usually used for the smaller chassis fans with lower power consumption.

With this type fan speed is typically controlled by increasing or decreasing the voltage over the power wire. But after attempting to use them they worked out pitifully.