Dell Vostro 400 Heat sink fan / replacement

[dheffer]

Hi,

I recently purchased a Dell Vostro 400, and I've enjoyed it so far but the CPU HSF is just rediculously loud. It only has an 80mm also, so I figured I'd go ahead and replace the entire unit. It definitely has the standard mounting holes for the HSF, but the screws that hold the unit down in the mobo are metal, and the HSF replacements that I've been looking at are simply just plastic pieces that look to just 'click' in. On the motherboard itself (a foxconn), there are what look like metal screw holes, so I just wanted to check to see what my options were. If this sounds out of the ordinary, I can take photos, but I just wanted to make sure that this sounded ok before I wasted money.

I know that it isn't something that most people change on a dell, but I'm happy to report that everything in the computer itself is standard, and not proprietary. Thanks in advance for your help.

Regards,

 

[21stHermit]

My cheap, $200, HP Compaq came with this Asus HSF and it has good reviews. But before you replace your HSF, check if it has four wires to the MB. If so, it's a PWM fan, I'm sure you already know that PWM stands for Pulse Width Modulated.

PWM fans can be controlled in the BIOS by changing the temp set points for various fan speeds.

HTH
Hermit

 

[dheffer]

Hey, thanks for the response.
It does actually have a PWM fan, but I'm not able to set anything in the BIOS.
I might just take out the mobo to see if it has a backplate or what.
Does the stock intel cooler use a backplate, or does a regular 775 mobo have a stock backplate?
Thanks!

EDIT: After checking out your link, that is exactly the same HSF that came with my dell. I may just replace the fan with a quieter 80mm fan, but I'll see what I can do!

BTW, the fan that came with mine is a DELTA! I have flashbacks from having a DELTA heatsink with a 6000rpm 60mmx35mm fan and bleeding from the ears. This one actually has a .57A draw, and spins up to around 3500rpm. It idles at 1800rpm, but at that point, it really is noticable.

 

[bigdogn12]

Hey dheffer,

I recently purchased a Vostro 400 too. I know there is a cpu fan and also an exhaust fan in the back. Have you been able to research about putting an intake fan in the front?

Thanks,
Andrew

 

[o1die]

If the dell has a extra 3 pin connector open on the board, you can use a zalman fan mate 2 rpm adjuster, which sells for $7 at Fry's. Even with a 4 pin to 3 pin adapter, it's still cheaper than replacing the whole fan or heatsink. Cableclub.com has several adapters available, but the zalman will be sold at online fan speciality stores. There's even a cluster of rpm adjusters available that fit in an open slot in the case for around $30-35 bucks if you want to add more fans.