Here’s everything you oughta know about motherboard fan connectors.
What Is a Motherboard Fan Connector?
A motherboard fan connector is a small three or four-pin connector located on the motherboard.
The motherboard fan connector is a Molex KK connector.
Today, the Molex name is rarely used.
Motherboard manuals more frequently use the terms SYSFAN and CPUFAN when referencing these connectors.
Jun / Getty Images
If you’ve never used these connections before, don’t worry.
They are easy to use and nearly impossible to connect incorrectly.
How Does a Motherboard Fan Connector Work?
Power delivery is a motherboard fan connectors job.
A four-pin motherboard fan connector enables a feature called Pulse Width Modulation (PWM).
PWM can cycle power on and off extremely rapidly.
This allows fan speed control.
The motherboard fan connector will also include a plastic guide that extends from the connector beside the pins.
This fits into a notch on the PC fans connector.
The guide ensures you cant reverse the connector.
How Do I Connect Fans to My Motherboard?
This is attached to the three or four-pin fan header on the motherboard.
Theres no trick aside from lining up the notch on the connector with the guide on the header.
A secure connection should see the fan connectors end flush with the motherboard header.
It should not appear or feel loose.
How Many Fan Connectors Does a Motherboard Have?
This depends on the motherboard in your machine.
Most motherboards are have at least two connectors.
Can I Plug a 3-Pin Fan Into a 4-Pin?
Yes, you’re free to.
However, this will disable PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) support.
That means you cant control the speed of the fan through PWM.
It doesnt matter if the motherboard header or fan connector lacks the fourth pin.
PWM wont work if its missing on either.
Jun / Getty Images
You may still be able to control the speed of the fan.
Motherboards often include the ability to control fan speed by changing the voltage sent to the fan.
This does not require the fourth pin.
Your motherboard manual can tell you which fan control modes are supported.
PWM is the preferred method of fan control.
This leads to a limit on the minimum possible fan speed.
PWM can support very low fan speeds without issue which, in turn, can reduce noise.
Its simplicity is refreshing next to more complex connectors likeGPU power connectors.
The model and manufacturer for your motherboard will appear on-screen.
you’re free to also check which motherboard you have in the System Information app.
Open it and look for Baseboard Manufacturer and Baseboard Product.
First, you gotta figure out what motherboard you have.
Then, visit the manufacturer’s website to download the latest version of BIOS.
If you’re updating it from within Windows, the process is fairly simple.
Just initiate the downloaded file and select Update.
kickstart your PC when the install is finished.
Check outLifewire’s guide to upgrading BIOS for more information.
There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a new motherboard for your system.
you oughta pick one that supports the same socket as the CPU you want to use.
It needs to physically fit within the PC’s case.
Check outLifewire’s guide to choosing a motherboardfor more detailed information.
