I've got some fans with 3-pin connectors, but my motherboard only has two 4-pin headers available. I'm wondering if buying an adapter from the link below will solve this problem without causing any damage to my PC. Here's the link: https://amzn.eu/d/68ZN6VZ. Will that work, or is it risky?
2 Answers
I wouldn't risk using the adapter anyway, especially since it seems like it's more of a RGB connector. Just stick with plugging your 3-pin fans directly into the 4-pin headers. And about the pin breaking concern? If you plug it in correctly, you shouldn’t have any issues. Just make sure not to force anything!
You can totally plug your 3-pin fans into those 4-pin headers without needing an adapter! They share the same pin layout: ground, 12V, and tachometer. The extra fourth pin on the 4-pin connector is just for PWM control. If you want to control the fan speed, make sure to switch the settings from PWM to DC. Just double-check the orientation when you plug them in—it'll only fit one way! Oh, and about that link: it looks like it's for RGB connections. Just a heads up, RGB fans use different voltages (3-pin is for 5V and 4-pin is for 12V), so an adapter wouldn't work for RGB unless it's specifically designed for that.
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