Is it possible to plug in a new PS fan into the PS output cables, like a case fan?

[ETan]

I'm a virgin when it comes to changing PS fans. It's driving me nut, keeping me awake at night or giving me headaches, because of the buzzing noise and my PC sits right next to my bed.

I don't have the tools (or know them) to change the fan... (do scissors and nail clippers count?)

I was thinking, is it possible for me to just take out the PS, cut out the fan that's in there now, just leave the wires there (tape it up and leave it there), then install a case fan like a Panaflo with around 30cfm (is that enough?), and plug the case fan into one of the PS outputs. In other words, can I connect the PS fan just like a case fan? Or is that bad, or won't work?

What happens if the PS fan fails?

How can I choke my Power supply? Which part should I hold and grip? I'm really sick of the noise.

Thanks.

 

[breweyez]

heres a cool link for you
http://www.7volts.com/quiet.htm
I havent changed out any PS fans. But it should just be 2 wires. The panaflow L1 should sufice. They can be found for cheap at bgmicro. I think you may have to do a little soldering. Also before you remove the PS unplug it from the wall, then hit the power switch as though you where going to turn the computer on. This should fully discharge the unit(then you can pull the ATX plug). Maybe someone will have a link to a tutorial for you

 

[ETan]

THanks Breweyez, that was really interesting.

I'm trying not to have to solder anything... bad memories, that's all.

I have a couple of 80mm case fans. Can I just put that into the power supply but hook it up like a case fan? Good/ bad?

 

[RaynorWolfcastle]

I've never done what you're trying to do but playing inside a PSU is a very bad idea in general as there are some components in there that can discharge thousands of volts (even when they're off) :Q. I suggest that you either

a) be very, very careful as to what you touch
b) just buy a new quieter power supply, seeing as you don't seem all that confident anyways

-Ice

 

[ETan]

hmm....

Can anyone recommend a cheap, quiet power supply? I don't need 400 watts.. my generic 300 watt works fine for me now, but it's a little loud.

Price is of chief concern, at least till I graduate and get a job in a few months.

 

[Ragnarock]

It's not too hard to do, just crack the baby open, pull out the old fan, cut off the connector, solder it onto the new one, and plug it in. Just don't go touching the capacitators. I think you could even use those twisty crimping caps if you don't want to solder.

 

[Auric]

Geez. It's not a space shuttle it's a friggin fan in a pooter. Just do it. You can cut and strip the wires with your scissors or nail clippers. Twist 'em together with the new uns and tape 'em up real good. I hope you have a screwdriver because you will find using the nail clippers on the screws to be rather frustrating.

"Safety first": after shutting down and switching off the PS (hopefully not so cheap-ass that it lacks a switch) depress the PC power button again. This will dischcharge the PS. You may notice the power light comes on for a moment or the fans spin a bit. Still, when fiddling with the PS avoid touching any of its gutsy wutsies, particularly the large cylindrical thingies.

Reason not to just buy a new unit: could be just as noisy or worse.

Reason not to disable the existing one and install one in the case: gonna have to go in the PS anyway and if you leave the fan in it will obstruct airflow. Even so, you would have to make sure that all other case holes were plugged if you wanted to make sure air passed through the PS.

Check out Gizzo's fan page to choose a quiet one. The PS does not require much cooling, if any. 30 CFM is overkill. If it overheated it would prolly just commit suicide and not murder-suicide so I would not worry about that.

Good luck and sleep well

 

[HappyPuppy]

Why must you leave your computer turned on all night. Turn it off. When you wake up in the morning, turn it on again.
So much agonizing over nothing.

 

[ETan]

HappyPuppy, I can think of plenty of reasons to leave my computer on at night. I guess some people turn off their PC's daily. I don't like to. Surprisingly XP is running quite well. It's not just a matter of preference, but also convenience, and even "crucial". You see, campus internet activity drops a lot in the wee hours, so that's the best time to grab files from filetopia, etc. My school has managed to block every single file sharing app except for this *fingers crossed*. Don't want them to notice when I'm downloading 2 gig of files at a time.

Auric, Ragnarock, Icecool, breweyez, and others, thanks a lot for your helpful suggestions, I will take off my ps fan tomorrow, too late now. I already got a few of those wire crimper/twister thingy. Wish me luck. I won't be a ps-fan-substitution-virgin anymore.

Like what a friend of mine always say:"Everything is easy once you know how to do it, even flying a space shuttle."

Thanks again!

 

[ETan]

Done.

My manhood just increased by 50%. I'm more of a man now than I was before.


j/k.


It was quite easy, thanks for all your advice guys.

Bummer - My system is still a little noisy. The new ps fan quiet it down a little bit, but just a little bit.

How is it possible that, I stopped ALL the fans, including processor fan, ps fan, ALL FANS - and yet there was still a buzzing noise? I even unplugged the hard drive to make sure that's not the source of the noise.


Could it be that the power supply was making the noise even without the fan????? Wtf?

I'm totally puzzled.

Btw, one good reason to have a quiet system, is that when the computer is the entertainment center in your dorm room, and you're say, watching a movie with someone special, it is not very romantic to have the computer making more noise than you are...

 

[Auric]

Fear no more! Bullies will no longer kick sand in your face at the beach.

Perhaps you chose the wrong fan. Buzzing sounds like the PS needs replacing anyway unless it is the monitor.

 

[ETan]

<< Fear no more! Bullies will no longer kick sand in your face at the beach.

Perhaps you chose the wrong fan. Buzzing sounds like the PS needs replacing anyway unless it is the monitor. >>



hehe...

Well, the fan I put in is nearly silent, not as much air output, but good and close enough.

So what you're saying is the buzzing sound is coming from the PS? I know it's not the monitor because that would be quite obvious. I literally shoved my head into my case trying to figure out which component is making the noise. I stopped all the fans (stuck a pen in it before powering up) in order to hear what the sound is like with no fans. Still an annoying buzz... Even after I turned off the hard drive (out of frustration) it was still making the noise.

Can't figure this out and it's driving me nuts.

 

[Skaven]

Video Cooler fan? My aging TNT2 fan was driving me crazy! So I just got a Geforce 2...

As for making the case even QUIETer... try cutting the fan grill on the power supply. Those flat surfaces don't do anything for keeping it quiet. Get a nicer grill that the air can flow around better.

I'm about to do the same thing myself!