3 pin fan to a 4 pin wpm controller

Reece · 02-08-10, 04:51 AM

Hi, I have a Zalman 4 x fan controller (ZM-MFC3, similar to ZM-MFC2), 3 x 3-pin and 1 x 4pin pwm, can I plug a 3-pin fan into the 4 pin controller?

Arclight · 02-08-10, 06:36 AM

Yep, no problem. Though the fan speed normally isn't controllable with a 3-pin MB connector, but I guess that's different on a fan controller.

Reece · 02-08-10, 07:27 AM

I think the controller would vary the 12v supply whilst using the sensor to display the speed, just guessing!

Thanks.

Reece · 02-09-10, 02:38 AM

Just found that it can't be done, a 3 pin fan has no variable speed control, the 4 pin does, so it looks like I will have to buy a 4 pin PWM fan, the 3 pin will run but only at full speed!!

FIREWALL · 02-09-10, 02:50 AM

Go liquid cooling Reece. You'll never go back.

Reece · 02-09-10, 03:17 AM

The only thing that stops me going liquid cooling at this stage is money, they aint cheap, though I hope to in the future!

Arclight · 02-09-10, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reece

Just found that it can't be done, a 3 pin fan has no variable speed control, the 4 pin does, so it looks like I will have to buy a 4 pin PWM fan, the 3 pin will run but only at full speed!!

Yeah, that's what I was afraid of; 4th pin is for speed control. Thought maybe a fan-controller could vary the speed like it does with normal 3-pin.

Reece · 02-09-10, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arclight

Yeah, that's what I was afraid of; 4th pin is for speed control. Thought maybe a fan-controller could vary the speed like it does with normal 3-pin.

The fan controller I have is a Zalman ZM-MFC3, controls 3x3pin and 1x4pin, was hoping to run a 3 pin on the 4, I have now ordered a 4pin pwm fan.

This is for my new case a Zalman GS1000, nice!!

http://www.zalman.com/ENG/product/Pr...ad.asp?idx=310

02-08-10, 04:51 AM	#1
Reece CINC Pacific Fleet Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Down Under Posts: 34,715 Downloads: 171 Uploads: 0	3 pin fan to a 4 pin pwm controller Hi, I have a Zalman 4 x fan controller (ZM-MFC3, similar to ZM-MFC2), 3 x 3-pin and 1 x 4pin pwm, can I plug a 3-pin fan into the 4 pin controller? __________________ *Sub captains go down with their ship!* Last edited by Reece; 02-08-10 at 08:17 PM.

02-08-10, 06:36 AM	#2
Arclight Navy Seal Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Land of windmills, tulips, wooden shoes and cheese. Lots of cheese. Posts: 8,467 Downloads: 53 Uploads: 10	Yep, no problem. Though the fan speed normally isn't controllable with a 3-pin MB connector, but I guess that's different on a fan controller. __________________ Contritium praecedit superbia.

02-08-10, 07:27 AM	#3
Reece CINC Pacific Fleet Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Down Under Posts: 34,715 Downloads: 171 Uploads: 0	I think the controller would vary the 12v supply whilst using the sensor to display the speed, just guessing! Thanks. __________________ *Sub captains go down with their ship!*

02-09-10, 02:38 AM	#4
Reece CINC Pacific Fleet Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Down Under Posts: 34,715 Downloads: 171 Uploads: 0	Just found that it can't be done, a 3 pin fan has no variable speed control, the 4 pin does, so it looks like I will have to buy a 4 pin PWM fan, the 3 pin will run but only at full speed!! __________________ *Sub captains go down with their ship!*

02-09-10, 02:50 AM	#5
FIREWALL Eternal Patrol Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: CATALINA IS. SO . CAL USA Posts: 10,108 Downloads: 511 Uploads: 0	Go liquid cooling Reece. You'll never go back. __________________ RIP FIREWALL I Play GWX. Silent Hunter Who ???

02-09-10, 03:17 AM	#6
Reece CINC Pacific Fleet Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Down Under Posts: 34,715 Downloads: 171 Uploads: 0	The only thing that stops me going liquid cooling at this stage is money, they aint cheap, though I hope to in the future! __________________ *Sub captains go down with their ship!*