PWM or not?

[almoststew1990]

Why is there still a mix of PWM and 3-pin fans? Is PWM not just... better? Or are there situations where 3 pin is better? Do new motherboards even have 3 pin still? (my ageing Z87 Sabretooth has a mix 6 pwm, 1 3-pin for the chipset fan and 1 3-pin next to the PSU)

I ask as the fans I'm looking at for my all-white build all seem to only have 1 fan in stock (I need 2). I was originally looking for: 140mm, PWM, white, quiet but can go up to say 1800PRM if needed (basically not the silent 1000rpm fans) but might expand to 3-pin if they're still fine?

 

[LuckyBenski]

To implement PWM requires an extra circuit which means components, assembly and design costs. Many fans are still built to a budget.

One example is the fans included in cases - even with good brands, you'll often find basic fans included or even 3-pin versions of that brand's high quality PWM fans. To the point where "case fan" is generally synonymous with 3-pin DC fan.

They're perfectly good still, the important characteristics of fans are speed, air flow, pressure and noise quality. So mostly it comes down to preference of how you like to control them. Some fan controllers don't have one or the other of DC and PWM control. Some motherboards don't have DC control or don't have it on all headers. YMMV but don't be afraid of DC

 

[doyll]

What LuckyBenski said.

Also keep in mind, all PWM fans I have ever used worked just fine on variable voltage control. So if you buy PWM you can use them on 3-pin headers if you don't have PMW to use.