CPU Fan Hyper 212 Evo

[nyrxxxx]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0046U6DWO/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

My CPU fan broke and I need help with 3 pin vs 4 pin connector. Above is the fan I wanted to buy and I realized its 3 pin, while the one I have now is 4 pin. I understand that the extra pin allows the motherboard to control the speed. What happens if I plug in a 3 connector to a 4 connector?

I'm not sure what to do. The OEM fan from coolermaster is $18 with shipping, which is insane.

What should I do? Would this fan work? How do I control the speed? Is there a cheap 4 pin fan? I was forced to install my intel cooler for now and the temps are crazy high hitting 76C at stock so I need this fan.

here is the OEM fan: http://www.cmstore-usa.com/hyper-212-evo-120mm-fan-oem-package/

 

[PCunicorn]

A 4 Pin will allow you to control that fan seperatly then all the 3 Pins. You can control 3 Pin fans, but it will control all the 3 pin fans, unlike 4 pin fans, where it can be controlled sepearatly. I would get a 4 pin fan if possible. Here is one for $10:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186036
Here are some more 120 MM 4 Pin fans: http://www.newegg.com/Case-Fans/SubCategory/ID-573?Order=PRICE

 

[CorruptHawkeyez]

The only way that I know of controlling a 3 pin fan plugged into your motherboard is through software such as speedfan. If not plugged into the motherboard you can use fan controllers that will undervolt the fan to slow the fan down.

 

[PCunicorn]

No, you can control the fan with the board, and they will all be controlled together, no matter if you use the BIOS or software.

 

[CorruptHawkeyez]

Not ALL motherboards have that option and without knowing the motherboard the OP has, you can't say that his board will control 3 pin fans the way he's wanting them too.

Three pins cant do fan speed, it's the 4 pin the lets the mb use pulse with modulation. (pwm). also you need to have fans that have 4 pins and are made to speed up and slow down. if all the headers on your mb are three pins the cheaper way is to put a resitor cable on the fan you want to slow down. there call 5v/7/12v fan cables. you'll be able to cut the 12v down and slow the fan. or you have to by a fan controller that you can adjust the voltage to the three pin fans you have. if you have a few four pin headers then i would pick up some long cables to reach some new 4 pins fan.

 

[PCunicorn]

Yeah, I suppose many OEM PCs have MBs that don't allow Fan control, but this is a custom built by the sound of it. 3 Pins can be controlled but =all 3 pin fans are controlled at once, instead of separately, so I just say go with a 4 Pin and skip any resistor cable.