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Proprietary fan header issues
Im trying to use a normal 92mm fan on a dell motherboard from a dell optiplex 3010 specficaly a
42p49 and ive heard most dell motherboards dont use stranded fan header{switched wires} is this a thing on my model of motherboard and i need to rewire the wires or do i not need to worry about it also i have a 120mm fan that isnt color coded so idk the wire colors if i need to rewire it. can anyone help me please.
bradthetechnut
6 Professor
6 Professor
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7.3K Posts
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January 9th, 2020 15:00
Edited: I see you have a 3010.
Dell is very proprietary, including with their fans. Using a non-Dell fan could fry the fan.
The 92mm fan - Are you trying to use it on the heatsink? Where are you trying to use the 120mm fan? What brand is your fans?
speedstep
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47K Posts
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January 10th, 2020 07:00
Dell uses standard fans and the wires are swapped around in such a way that if you plug a standard fan onto the dell header you will fry the fan and the motherboard.
None of this is documented.
SOME models use standard wiring.
Some Models use all black wires so you cannot tell.
Dell Fan Wire Black Red White or Yellow
Dell 3 wire fan
Dell 4 wire fan
Dell 5 wire fan
If you use adapter or re wire the standard fan to the way Dell does it there wont be any issues.
https://www.amazon.com/Pocaton-Female-Socket-Connector-Cooling/dp/B073XJV5L9
Dell sometimes swaps the wires around so that you will fry a dell fan on standard and the other way round.
It has 5 pins but only 4 wires are used.
Dell does not publish this. And some dells now use standard wiring.
I believe this is correct.
YMMV
Dell MB
Pin Number
Function
Dell wire color
Std Fan
Pin Number
Std Fan wire color
Description
1
Sens (TACH)
White/Yellow
3
Green
Sens (TACH)
2
+12v
Red
2
Yellow
+12v
3
Gnd
Black
1
Black
Gnd
4
PWM
Blue
4
Blue
PWM
5
Key
unused
Dell does not use standard wiring or Pinouts on their fan headers.
Dell fan wires are deliberately swapped round.
PWM and Tach and 12v and Ground.
For 3 wire they reverse 12v and tach.
Black Red White not
Black White Red
This can lead to self destruction for a dell fan on standard motherboard or the other way round.
https://www.amazon.com/Dedicated-Adapter-Conversion-Cable-Dell/dp/B07F7CTMVZ
https://www.walmart.com/ip/48729225
This is the CPU FAN for Example.
https://www.amazon.com/Dell-Optiplex-Processor-Aluminum-Heatsink/dp/B079YVX6HC
Dell MB
Pin Number
Function
Dell wire color
Pin #
INTEL Fan wire color
Description
1
Sens (TACH)
White/Yellow
3
Green
Sens (TACH)
2
+12v
Red
2
Yellow
+12v
3
Gnd
Black
1
Black
Gnd
4
PWM
Blue
4
Blue
PWM
5
Key
unused
donm4599x
478 Posts
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January 10th, 2020 15:00
It is shameful if Dell has made the fan header burn out a fan, or self destruct the motherboard, by clandestinely switching the standard wires. This is extortion. Why would a decent company like Dell resort to such low down tactics??
I'm not sure I believe this without proof.
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
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17K Posts
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January 10th, 2020 19:00
So that you use their fans ... which are the correct type, voltage, amp-draw, rpm, CFM, etc.
ma1akhi
5 Posts
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May 6th, 2022 22:00
unfortunately it is not possible for you to use a standard fan due to this motherboard having completely proprietary connections. i highly recommend you find an adapter or buy something that's not e-waste
ma1akhi
5 Posts
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May 6th, 2022 22:00
no, dell makes proprietary parts to prevent a user from upgrading their pc. they want you to buy a new one. its really unfortunate that they do this as it is very wasteful. if you want to get a little more information on this i highly suggest looking it up