Build Guides                                                    

When shopping for PC fans, you’ll often come across connectors that are either 

. If you don’t fully understand the difference, you might end up with a fan that your motherboard can’t properly control, or find yourself confused about where to plug it in during installation.

This guide will quickly walk you through the differences between 3-pin and 4-pin connectors, explain their functions, and help you decide which type of fan is the better choice for your build.

How to Tell the Difference Between 3-Pin and 4-Pin Fans

It’s actually very simple to distinguish between them. Here are two easy methods:

Look at the fan’s packaging or user manual:

The Difference Between 3-Pin and 4-Pin Fans

These are entry-level fans. The motherboard adjusts the fan speed by changing the voltage, but the level of control is quite limited.

These include an extra control wire that delivers precise PWM signals. This allows the fan to automatically adjust its speed based on system temperature. PWM fans generally provide faster response, smoother control, and quieter operation.

Can I Plug a 3-Pin Fan Into a 4-Pin Header?

Yes, you can. A 3-pin fan will work in a 4-pin motherboard header, but it will run only at full speed and won’t support PWM speed control.

if you’re a performance-focused gamer or power user who values cooling efficiency, quiet operation, and fast thermal response. With PWM functionality, these fans automatically adjust speed for the perfect balance of performance and noise.

if you’re more budget-conscious and your system doesn’t generate heavy heat loads. For basic case airflow, 3-pin fans are a cost-effective and perfectly adequate choice.

In the end, it comes down to your needs—different systems call for different solutions. Picking the right type ensures you’ll get the most efficient cooling setup for your PC.





When shopping for PC fans, you’ll often come across connectors that are either 3-pin or 4-pin. If you don’t fully understand the difference, you might end up with a fan that your motherboard can’t properly control, or find yourself confused about where to plug it in during installation.



This guide will quickly walk you through the differences between 3-pin and 4-pin connectors, explain their functions, and help you decide which type of fan is the better choice for your build.



How to Tell the Difference Between 3-Pin and 4-Pin Fans

It’s actually very simple to distinguish between them. Here are two easy methods:



Method 1 | Metal Pins





3-pin fans: three metal pins for ground, power, and RPM feedback.



4-pin fans: include an extra pin for PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) control.







Method 2 | Check the Product Specs

Look at the fan’s packaging or user manual:





If you see PWM mentioned → it’s a 4-pin fan.



If it only says DC Fan or doesn’t mention PWM → it’s a 3-pin fan.



↑ INF34 Cooling Fan clearly states it uses a 4-pin PWM cable





↑ C7A Cooling Fan comes with a 3-pin cable



The Difference Between 3-Pin and 4-Pin Fans

3-Pin Fans

These are entry-level fans. The motherboard adjusts the fan speed by changing the voltage, but the level of control is quite limited.



4-Pin Fans (PWM Fans)

These include an extra control wire that delivers precise PWM signals. This allows the fan to automatically adjust its speed based on system temperature. PWM fans generally provide faster response, smoother control, and quieter operation.







Can I Plug a 3-Pin Fan Into a 4-Pin Header?

Yes, you can. A 3-pin fan will work in a 4-pin motherboard header, but it will run only at full speed and won’t support PWM speed control.







Should I Choose a 3-Pin or 4-Pin Fan?

Choose 4-Pin Fans 

if you’re a performance-focused gamer or power user who values cooling efficiency, quiet operation, and fast thermal response. With PWM functionality, these fans automatically adjust speed for the perfect balance of performance and noise.



Choose 3-Pin Fans 

if you’re more budget-conscious and your system doesn’t generate heavy heat loads. For basic case airflow, 3-pin fans are a cost-effective and perfectly adequate choice.







In the end, it comes down to your needs—different systems call for different solutions. Picking the right type ensures you’ll get the most efficient cooling setup for your PC.

Choosing between 3-pin and 4-pin fans comes down to simplicity versus precise control.

How to Choose a PC Fan? 3-Pin vs. 4-Pin Explained

Hướng dẫn xây dựng

Việc lựa chọn giữa quạt 3 chân và 4 chân phụ thuộc vào sự đơn giản so với khả năng điều khiển chính xác.

Cách chọn quạt tản nhiệt cho máy tính? So sánh giữa đầu cắm 3 chân và 4 chân.

Là những người đam mê game và tự lắp ráp máy tính trong thời đại này, chúng tôi, darkFlash, cảm thấy tự hào và biết ơn vì luôn suy nghĩ làm thế nào để phát triển những sản phẩm ấn tượng và độc đáo với các linh kiện cao cấp bằng cách tự tay lắp ráp và sử dụng các vỏ máy tính, bộ tản nhiệt CPU, quạt tản nhiệt, thậm chí cả ghế và bàn chơi game.

Mục tiêu của chúng tôi là tạo ra những sản phẩm có thể phát huy tối đa hiệu quả đối với mọi người dùng.

tia chớp tối

As an enthusiast of games and computer DIY in this age, we, darkFlash, feel proud and grateful for keep thinking how to develop impressive and extraordinary products with high-end facilities by assembling and using the PC cases, CPU coolers, case fans, and even gaming chairs and tables in person.

Our goal is to create products that could extremely exert its effect by every user.

Case Fan