Fan anti-vibration gaskets $1.80 shipped.

Juddog

Diamond Member
Dec 11, 2006
7,851
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Seconded.
This type is fantastic at isolating fan vibration.

I've actually bought both types of fan deadening gaskets, but I had trouble getting the second isolating types to work - mainly because I couldn't seem to manage to squeeze the rubber part through the hole without damaging the rubber.

The gaskets in the OP I found, however, were extremely easy to install in comparison (although not as effective).
 

jrichrds

Platinum Member
Oct 9, 1999
2,537
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I've actually bought both types of fan deadening gaskets, but I had trouble getting the second isolating types to work - mainly because I couldn't seem to manage to squeeze the rubber part through the hole without damaging the rubber.

The gaskets in the OP I found, however, were extremely easy to install in comparison (although not as effective).

The generic ones I got from jab-tech over a year ago were of harder rubber and I had the same issue as you...ended up just throwing them all away. I had also ordered some name-brand ones from jab-tech in the same order (from Vantec IIRC?) and they were MUCH better...made of soft silicone and easy to install. They don't seem to carry it anymore though.

And when it comes down to it, the softer material is what will do a better job dampening the vibration.
 

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
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JFYI, that kind of gasket is not very effective at stopping vibration. If you want effectively decouple fan from the case you'll have to use something like this:
http://www.jab-tech.com/4-Pack-Anti-Vibration-Fan-Mounts-Closed-Corners-pr-3269.html

Thirded.

I've actually bought both types of fan deadening gaskets, but I had trouble getting the second isolating types to work - mainly because I couldn't seem to manage to squeeze the rubber part through the hole without damaging the rubber.

Juddog and jrichrds, were those hard rubber fan mounts white in color? I don't mean translucent white like the silicone HDD grommets that Antec uses but solid white. Why I ask is that I had some white ones (sold as Sunbeam brand) that were so hard I could not get any to work.

I persevered and now know that most of them are not like that.
 

jrichrds

Platinum Member
Oct 9, 1999
2,537
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Juddog and jrichrds, were those hard rubber fan mounts white in color? I don't mean translucent white like the silicone HDD grommets that Antec uses but solid white. Why I ask is that I had some white ones (sold as Sunbeam brand) that were so hard I could not get any to work.

I persevered and now know that most of them are not like that.
The generic ones I got from jab-tech were black. I figured if I even did successfully get them on, they were so hard that they wouldn't provide much dampening anyways.

It's slipping my mind which name brand soft silicone grommets I ended up using (will check to see if I still have the box), but they're definitely softer than the translucent-white Antec ones.
 

thescreensavers

Diamond Member
Aug 3, 2005
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fleshconsumed

Diamond Member
Feb 21, 2002
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I've actually bought both types of fan deadening gaskets, but I had trouble getting the second isolating types to work - mainly because I couldn't seem to manage to squeeze the rubber part through the hole without damaging the rubber.

There are lots of different corner fan mounts and they vary a lot in how easy they are to use. The ones I posted were just an example of a corner type fan mount. This type is much better in isolating fan vibrations, but not all are good. I've bought plenty over the years and I had to throw some away because I couldn't squeeze them through the hole because they were too hard or because they were too soft and my tweezers would cut through rubber when I pulled them. However, despite occasionally wasting money on a crap version like that this is still what I use because it's the best.
 

Zulu342

Senior member
Dec 11, 2003
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How do I install those? Do I just align the fan mount and the case and pull those things through? Is the fan secure or would it move around a bit given its soft rubber/silicon nature?
 

gorcorps

aka Brandon
Jul 18, 2004
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How do I install those? Do I just align the fan mount and the case and pull those things through? Is the fan secure or would it move around a bit given its soft rubber/silicon nature?

The rubber's has some elasticity, so it should hold the fan tight enough to not worry about it. That's if it's the good soft rubber though.
 

NoobyDoo

Senior member
Nov 13, 2006
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... Anything that uses fan screws can still create vibration between the case and fans.

I've used zip ties, two per fan hole, works well because you don't need to tighten them, in fact I leave a little slack.
Find a zip tie whose 'head' is bigger than the fan hole but whose 'tail' passes thru the hole. Cut the head off one of the zip tie. Pass the tail of the second zip tie thru the fan, thru the cabinet screw hole, then insert it into the zip tie head you had cut off. Pull the zip tie head down until you have a snug, but not tight, fit. Cut off the (excess) tail beyond the head.
This might work well with the gaskets mentioned in the OP.
 

Interitus

Platinum Member
Jan 28, 2004
2,143
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1) Find zip ties that fit in the desired fan mounting holes. Lowe's or Home Depot has them for dirt cheap for a bag of 50'ish.

2) Go to your local auto parts store. Ask the guy at the counter for the smallest vaccuum hose that will fit over the zip tie. Get about 6" to do most cases, I usually buy it by the foot. It's dirt cheap too. At O'Reilly's here I got a foot for ~$1.75.

3) Cut the vacuum hose into washers of desired thickness.

4) Place a vac-hose washer between the case and the fan, between the case and the zip tie head, and the fan and the zip tie head (last one is optional).

Voila. $3-$5 whole case fan silencing kit.
 

jrichrds

Platinum Member
Oct 9, 1999
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zephyrprime

Diamond Member
Feb 18, 2001
7,512
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I've actually bought both types of fan deadening gaskets, but I had trouble getting the second isolating types to work - mainly because I couldn't seem to manage to squeeze the rubber part through the hole without damaging the rubber.

The gaskets in the OP I found, however, were extremely easy to install in comparison (although not as effective).

A little grease does wonders.
 

bullbert

Senior member
May 24, 2004
717
0
0
JFYI, that kind of gasket is not very effective at stopping vibration. If you want effectively decouple fan from the case you'll have to use something like this:
http://www.jab-tech.com/4-Pack-Anti-Vibration-Fan-Mounts-Closed-Corners-pr-3269.html

Fifth'ed. Although, now that I think about it, mine probably need to be replaced by now. Rubber/silicone ages and hardens. Especially the mounts closest to the heat of the power supply. Hmm, just another reason to open the case up...