3 pin to 4 pin CPU connector

ashrack · #1 (**permalink**) 08-13-2008, 07:46 AM

On my new motherboard MSI K9a2 Platinum I need a fan with a 4 PIN cpu power connector in order for the bios to lower the RPMs according to temperature (Smart Fan). Unfortunately the Scythe Ninja Rev B fan uses the old 3 pin cpu connector

So I talked to MSI's customer support and they said that I would need a 3 pin to 4 pin CPU connector for the Smart Fan feature to work.
Anyone knows how do I get my hands on it?

Oli · #2 (**permalink**) 08-13-2008, 08:13 AM

This won't work AFAIK. As the fan itself doesn't deliver the fourth pin there is no possibility of regulating a non-PWM fan (which the Ninja fan is) by PWM function. An adapter won't help here as the signal for the fourth pin isn't generated by the fan!

But some boards offer voltage regulation additionally to PWM regulation. The most recent Asus Boards don't but the Gigabyte boards seem to support it. If MSI doesn't then you'll have to use another solution for rpm regulation or buy a PWM fan.

Bye Oli

ashrack · #3 (**permalink**) 08-13-2008, 08:57 AM

with this board it is like this. The K9a2 CF which is the slimmed down version of the Platinum board worked with a 3 pin connector. But with the Platinum they say they only support Smart Fan thru 4 pin connector.

I am also interested in knowing why would they say a converter would work if it is not possible?

Oli · #4 (**permalink**) 08-13-2008, 09:19 AM

You'll have to ask MSI about that!

I know what Asus told me over the years - many things were just wrong although they should have known better.

You cannot always rely on what manufacturers, customer support or hotlines say when it comes to mainboards. It's good that you can rely on Scythe's answers to 99%.

I can only repeat - as far as i am informed there are no adapters on the market that could generate the signel for the fourth pin (speed control) from the 3 pins of a normal fan. Ask MSI to send you a link to such a product, please!

All other things work: 4-pin fan on 3-pin header (w/o regulation or with voltage regulation based on 3 pins), 4-pin molex to 4-pin 5,25" power cable etc.

Bye Oli

ashrack · #5 (**permalink**) 08-13-2008, 09:30 AM

thx for the info. will let them know when I get a reply back from them.

ashrack · #6 (**permalink**) 08-21-2008, 08:24 PM

anyways they added the function to bios on my request so also the FAN with 3 pin CPU connector now has RPM control thru BIOS.
Go MSI

Oli · #7 (**permalink**) 08-22-2008, 06:29 AM

Well so much about MSI's spectacular PWM generators...

ashrack · #8 (**permalink**) 08-22-2008, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oli

Well so much about MSI's spectacular PWM generators...

what do you mean?

Oli · #9 (**permalink**) 08-22-2008, 06:54 AM

They edited your BIOS to make voltage regulation possible. That'sb very positive!

But they first told you about adapters to generate a PWM signal from a 3-pin fan but didn't send you any links/names or product information on it. That's not so positive - if they tell you those adapters would exist they should also tell you details. Otherwise one must think that this first information on those adapters was just wrong.

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#1 (permalink) 08-13-2008, 07:46 AM
ashrack Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 21	3 pin to 4 pin CPU connector On my new motherboard MSI K9a2 Platinum I need a fan with a 4 PIN cpu power connector in order for the bios to lower the RPMs according to temperature (Smart Fan). Unfortunately the Scythe Ninja Rev B fan uses the old 3 pin cpu connector So I talked to MSI's customer support and they said that I would need a 3 pin to 4 pin CPU connector for the Smart Fan feature to work. Anyone knows how do I get my hands on it? __________________ Corsair VX-450W, Athlon 5000+ BE@3000MHZ 1.4v /w Scythe Ninja 2, MSI K9a2 Platinum, 2x1GB 800MHz Super Talent 4-4-3-8@2.0v, Sapphire 3850 256MB

#2 (permalink) 08-13-2008, 08:13 AM
Oli Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, in the middle of Europe Posts: 422	This won't work AFAIK. As the fan itself doesn't deliver the fourth pin there is no possibility of regulating a non-PWM fan (which the Ninja fan is) by PWM function. An adapter won't help here as the signal for the fourth pin isn't generated by the fan! But some boards offer voltage regulation additionally to PWM regulation. The most recent Asus Boards don't but the Gigabyte boards seem to support it. If MSI doesn't then you'll have to use another solution for rpm regulation or buy a PWM fan. Bye Oli __________________ C2D E6700@3.33Ghz@1,28V / Mugen, Ret Kit & 2x Slip Stream @ 550rpm / summer: idle 37 - load 70 / winter: idle 33 - load 64

#3 (permalink) 08-13-2008, 08:57 AM
ashrack Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 21	with this board it is like this. The K9a2 CF which is the slimmed down version of the Platinum board worked with a 3 pin connector. But with the Platinum they say they only support Smart Fan thru 4 pin connector. I am also interested in knowing why would they say a converter would work if it is not possible? __________________ Corsair VX-450W, Athlon 5000+ BE@3000MHZ 1.4v /w Scythe Ninja 2, MSI K9a2 Platinum, 2x1GB 800MHz Super Talent 4-4-3-8@2.0v, Sapphire 3850 256MB

#4 (permalink) 08-13-2008, 09:19 AM
Oli Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, in the middle of Europe Posts: 422	You'll have to ask MSI about that! I know what Asus told me over the years - many things were just wrong although they should have known better. You cannot always rely on what manufacturers, customer support or hotlines say when it comes to mainboards. It's good that you can rely on Scythe's answers to 99%. I can only repeat - as far as i am informed there are no adapters on the market that could generate the signel for the fourth pin (speed control) from the 3 pins of a normal fan. Ask MSI to send you a link to such a product, please! All other things work: 4-pin fan on 3-pin header (w/o regulation or with voltage regulation based on 3 pins), 4-pin molex to 4-pin 5,25" power cable etc. Bye Oli __________________ C2D E6700@3.33Ghz@1,28V / Mugen, Ret Kit & 2x Slip Stream @ 550rpm / summer: idle 37 - load 70 / winter: idle 33 - load 64

#5 (permalink) 08-13-2008, 09:30 AM
ashrack Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 21	thx for the info. will let them know when I get a reply back from them. __________________ Corsair VX-450W, Athlon 5000+ BE@3000MHZ 1.4v /w Scythe Ninja 2, MSI K9a2 Platinum, 2x1GB 800MHz Super Talent 4-4-3-8@2.0v, Sapphire 3850 256MB

#6 (permalink) 08-21-2008, 08:24 PM
ashrack Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 21	anyways they added the function to bios on my request so also the FAN with 3 pin CPU connector now has RPM control thru BIOS. Go MSI __________________ Corsair VX-450W, Athlon 5000+ BE@3000MHZ 1.4v /w Scythe Ninja 2, MSI K9a2 Platinum, 2x1GB 800MHz Super Talent 4-4-3-8@2.0v, Sapphire 3850 256MB

#7 (permalink) 08-22-2008, 06:29 AM
Oli Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, in the middle of Europe Posts: 422	Well so much about MSI's spectacular PWM generators... __________________ C2D E6700@3.33Ghz@1,28V / Mugen, Ret Kit & 2x Slip Stream @ 550rpm / summer: idle 37 - load 70 / winter: idle 33 - load 64

#9 (permalink) 08-22-2008, 06:54 AM
Oli Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, in the middle of Europe Posts: 422	They edited your BIOS to make voltage regulation possible. That'sb very positive! But they first told you about adapters to generate a PWM signal from a 3-pin fan but didn't send you any links/names or product information on it. That's not so positive - if they tell you those adapters would exist they should also tell you details. Otherwise one must think that this first information on those adapters was just wrong. __________________ C2D E6700@3.33Ghz@1,28V / Mugen, Ret Kit & 2x Slip Stream @ 550rpm / summer: idle 37 - load 70 / winter: idle 33 - load 64