4-pin CPU fan into 3-pin socket

splatterhouse · 30 Sep 2007 at 00:01

I just bought an Arctic Freezer 64 Pro from OCUK. I've got it installed and running and it's doing a great job, the only problem is that my mobo has an older 3-pin socket, whereas the Freezer 64 came with a 4-pin plug (with a notch between the 3rd and 4th pins so that it can be plugged into 3-pin sockets), and i've lost the ability to monitor/control the fan speed like I could on my old stock CPU fan. Is there any way to fix this? I suspect the fan is running at full speed, and since my CPU is at 29 degrees idle i'd like to be able to slow the fan down.

Snapshot · 30 Sep 2007 at 06:22

The monitor line should still work and tell you the speed. Your mobo should be able to control the fan using voltage control so have a look in the BIOS to see what it's set to.

splatterhouse · 30 Sep 2007 at 10:59

The settings in the BIOS are exactly the same as they were before, Q-Fan enabled etc. The problem is that although the mobo may be slowing the fan down, I can't actually see what rpm the fan is spinning at any more so I can't tell for sure.

musicman53 · 30 Sep 2007 at 11:42

splatterhouse said:
The settings in the BIOS are exactly the same as they were before, Q-Fan enabled etc. The problem is that although the mobo may be slowing the fan down, I can't actually see what rpm the fan is spinning at any more so I can't tell for sure.

Motherboard/os will not control the speed because that fan is PWM controlled.
I have two and on a motherboard with a 3 pin CPU fan connector there is no control of a PWM controlled fan.
Have seen others in many places say that their 4 pin(pwm)fans ARE controlled on a regular 3 pin cpu fan connector but that is not possible.
Have tried that on other boards with a 3 pin cpu fan connector and the fan speed has never changed.
Cool&Quiet will not even do it.