Which Panaflo Case Fan?

[r1013a]

This is the first time I built a computer and everything has went fine so far thanks to Anandtech. I have a question about the case fans though. I was planning on getting an extra 80mm Panaflo case fan. I went to a few sites and I noticed that they had 3 pin connectors on them. My Antec case has white 4 pin connectors. Will the 3 pin still plug into the white 4 pin plug?

 

[Awakened2002]

You'll need an adapter if you have to use the 4pin.

Example

 

[CaptnKirk]

The 3-Pin headers plug directly to the motherboard. There are usually 4 or 5 headers available for use, 1 each for CPU and Power Supply fan, that leaves 2 or 3 open.
There should be one near what would be the lower front edge of the mounted board which can be used for a front intake fan.

S V C has lots of connectors and adaptors for under a buck.

 

[Kipper]

Do not plug a 80 mm fan into your motherboard. They draw quite a bit of power and you risk shorting out your board. It's a wise choice to invest in the 3-4 pin adapters. They're only .50 cents from SVC as far as I recall. Better safe than sorry.

 

[CaptnKirk]

I mean, if a motherboard has 3 pin headers built in, and the motherboard manufacturers instructions are to
"Install 80MM CPU Fan to Pin Header #1, Power Supply fan lead to Pin Header #2, case exhaust to Pin #4,
Pin $5 to case intake" - what's missing in this equation? Don't follow Motherboard instructions? - I don't think so.

 

[r1013a]

Ok.. I see the 3 pin connectors on my motherboard. I have 3 (3-pin connectors) left. The two fans that came with the case are using 4 pin connectors. One is in the back and one is on the saide panel. I want one more fan in the rear where there is a whole for one already, and one blowing over the HD's.

So what should I do.. Hook them directly to the motherboard or buy the connectors. There were mixed opinions. I have an Antec pp412x power so I have plently of power I think. But If I hook it up will it draw unessary power and cause probs. I had that happen with my old internal modem. I bought an external and performance improved (lockups ect..). There are plenty of the 4 pin connectors if I need them.

Thanks so far

 

[Awakened2002]

I would feel safe hooking up any panaflo into the 3 pin connectors on the MB... I read somewhere that if your fan goes above 5000 RPMs, you should go to the 4 pin.

 

[keyeye]

I believe that most people would say that fans that use <4 watts are safe to plug into a MB 3pin header, although I've seen at least 1 MB that says it can handle 6W fans. I'm not familiar with the RPM rule, but I suspect it is not useful especially when applied to larger fans. The panaflo "H" speed 80mm fan draws 3 watts according to the newegg picture. Thus, any fan that speed or slower should be safe on the motherboard.

SVC is a good place for adapters... as above.