3pin / 4 Pin CPU Fan

[Shayne]

Just a quick query;

is it OK to replace a 4 pin CPU fan with a 3 pin fan?

(Purely for cosmetic reasons, a blue led fan would look nice.)

What does the extra 4th pin do? Is it needed for a CPU fan?

Many thanks,

Shayne.

 

[MooMoo444]

The extra 4th pin adds PWM management, enabling the fan to change rpm with temperature. It's ideal for a CPU fan, but if you get a good 3 pin one, it's not necesary. You will need one with high cfm to push air through a hs.

 

[Tealc]

Or more ideally high static pressure.

You can have high cfm but low relative static pressure which means the fan wouldn't be very good at pushing air through a restriction such as a fan grille, radiator or heatsink.