Case Fan Mounting

[jdkick]

Just looking for some feedback on the various types of mounting hardware for case fans, both for mounting the fan to the chassis and mounting fan guards/grills to the fans. I only have experience with screws.

 

[ChefJoe]

I have used standard screws for years and recently tried using some of those "rubber mounts" on my P180 case. The rubber mounts are a pain to install and I'm really not sure they do anything for already quiet, slower running fans. Damned things took me about an hour to install because I couldn't find any "instructions" on how best to feed them in and they're not very pliable.

 

[DerwenArtos12]

I use 6-32 1.25" bolts with a rubber gasket between the case and the fan and between the fan and the nut in order to isolate the fan as best I can. Like ChefJoe said though, this is really only necessary on higher spinning (1K rpm minimum) fans.

 

[humanure]

I've never noticed a difference between using screws or the rubber type mounts.

 

[jdkick]

I should note that reducing noise is not my concern. I've always used screws and without issue re: noise, but they can be a pain to install, scratch the case and chew up the fan housing a bit. The rubber/plastic mounting seems like it would address some that, including ease of installation.

Anyway, i'm doing some fan related mods to my case and will be ordering some 120mm grills, so i'll need to order some additional mounting hardware at the same time. I was just curious if there were any perceived advantages in using something other then screws.

 

[devilchrist]

velcro,

go to Home depot or sears and pick up sticky backed velcro. cut them in to small triangles or what not.. no more messing with screws to take them off and velcro by nature will isolate vibration.

it's how i mount all my fans now.. even 120mm cpu sink fans

 

[bruceb]

If noise or vibration from the fan is not a concern, then regular 6-32 screws
with flat washers on the fan side, lock washers & nylock nuts. They can't
come loose that way. If you really want noise at a minimum, then use the
rubber isolator mounts.

 

[Sheninat0r]

You can hot glue them on; it kills vibrations, is secure, and comes off cleanly when you want it to with no work involved.

 

[Zepper]

I start with whatever the case provides, next I try standard fan screws, then I go to rubber pins - the only testing I've seen rates them better than the silicone gaskets like those that Vantec sells.

ChefJoe,
. Sounds like you got some of that Sunbeam rubber fan screwed (them are crap!) - get the black or colored silicone ones in sets of four from jab-tech.com. The deluxe, 2-piece ones are great where you can't get your hand in there to help pull them thru. He has a good selection for open and closed corner fans.

And as was said above, some of today's fans are quiet enough to not really need anything. Velcro or double sided foam mounting tape makes a good ghetto rig.

.bh.