I'm right in the middle of a new build, a core i3 3220 (Ivy), MSI ZH77A-G43, Kingston Hyperx Blu 8gb ram...There is one or two 3 pin headers and the rest are all 4 pin. I have several Scythe Karma Flow 2 120mm fans already in this case and more then happy with them...The front fan lead can not reach the closest 3 pin header no matter how I run the cable. Can a 3 pin fan be plugged into a 4 pin header, should I just ditch the fans for something with a 4 pin adapter (what do I search for as I'm not really finding anything but CPU fans)...or just go for the obvious but ugly fix 3 pin to molex adapters. I say ugly as my case really doesn't have the best option for running and hiding wiring.

Sorry in advance if this question has been asked... I haven't built anything new in a long time, and quickly learning things have changed a bit.

Yes, it will always work but you may not get fan speed control as some headers are strictly PWM and not DC controlled. I have a small PWM-DC convertor to avoid this problem.

Thanks, the fan ran full speed with my old system and I really never heard it and its the middle fan 1400 RPM, I know they make one below it that spins at 900rpm.

The only thing I ever heard with my old system was the noisy Intel hsfu that sounded like a prop plane. If this new one is anything like the what came with the core 2duo I'll be in the market for a new hsfu.