Family terminology
PC internal connector names and aliases
Browse the documented PC internal connector forms while keeping identification separate from implementation-specific capability.
6canonical connector forms
23alias entries
3documented shape labels
6engineering profiles
Canonical names and common aliases
| Canonical connector | Common names / abbreviations | Shape label | Engineering |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-pin PC fan connector / motherboard header | 3-pin fan header · 3 pin PC fan · DC fan header · three pin fan | row-header | Engineering reference → |
| 4-pin PWM PC fan connector / motherboard header | 4-pin PC fan header · PWM fan header · four pin PWM fan | row-header | Engineering reference → |
| Internal USB 2.0 dual-port header — keyed 2×5, pin 9 | 9-pin USB 2.0 header · USB 2 front panel header · internal 2x5 USB2 · front USB2 header | two-row-header | Engineering reference → |
| HD Audio front-panel header — keyed 2×5 (Intel example) | HD AUDIO header · AAFP motherboard header · 10-1 front-panel audio · front panel audio 2x5 | two-row-header | Engineering reference → |
| 12 V four-pin motherboard RGB header (MSI JRGB) | JRGB 12V · RGB 4-pin motherboard header · 12V RGB header · nonaddressable RGB header | led-header | Engineering reference → |
| 5 V addressable RGB header (MSI JRAINBOW) | JRAINBOW 5V · ARGB header 3 pin · 5V digital RGB header · addressable RGB motherboard | led-header | Engineering reference → |
Related comparison paths
3-pin vs 4-pin PC fan connectorsThe fourth contact is normally PWM control on the documented fan type, but header modes differ. Verify the exact fan, board rating and fan-control mode; do not infer automatic speed regulation.↗Internal USB 2.0 vs HD Audio front-panel headersIntel’s Thin Mini-ITX examples use different absent-key positions (9 versus 8); a different NUC audio implementation also has another pitch. Never force a 2×5 plug by silhouette.↗12 V RGB vs 5 V ARGB motherboard lighting headersOn MSI’s documented boards, JRGB is 12 V/4-pin and JRAINBOW is 5 V/3-pin. Connecting a 5 V strip to the 12 V header can cause hardware damage.↗
Discovery is not a compatibility verdict.
These discovery surfaces route and reorganize facts already represented in the atlas. They do not add electrical ratings, universal pinouts, measured tolerances, exact-device support, wiring approval or an end-to-end compatibility result.