noisy psu exhaust fan! how to make it quieter?

[IlllI]

it works perfectly, however it was bought before the times of 'thermo-controlled fans'

so it runs at constant rpm all the time...and makes a ~wwhiiirrrrr~ noise t hat gets irritating after a while. i didnt notice it before, but now i do, because i moved into a smaller place and my room is smaller and less open, and i think the noise from the fan is louder because its reflecting off the wall or something.

anyway, my question is, is there a simple way to make it quieter? like a 7v mod or something? i honestly dont feel like taking the whole thing apart and replacing the entire fan...

the one in there now, the rear exhaust fan, seems to have 3 wires. red yellow black. could i just snip one of the red or yellow ones and it would still work? or would i need to do something more drastic?


any advise is appreciated

 

[Cerb]

New PSU?
Replacing the fan is the best way to fix it, next to spending $30 on a PSU.

 

[McArra]

Originally posted by: Cerb
New PSU?
Replacing the fan is the best way to fix it, next to spending $30 on a PSU.

I agree, maybe you can make a mod and use a rheobus instead but I think your best bet is to replace the fan with a low noise one.

Edit: If your PSU isn't a quality one just buy a better quality new PSU.

 

[AsiLuc]

Best thing to do would be to mod the thing. I know you're not inclined to do so, but I think you can do it, and when you do it, you'll feel good. It's really not that hard as it seems, and I know. One thing, I'n not responsible, it's on your own risk, but it's very useful! If your system is hot already, don't do it. Because you will lose airflow and cooling power. Be sure you want this, if not, get a good, new PSU.

A little guide
Buy a quite fan! 80mm I presume. Try a quite papst, they're okay. Check the specs!
Hit the switch at the back of the PSU so the power is off. Now press the power button at the front of the pc. It should spin up half a second but die down after that. Now the capacitors have lost their charge.
Open your case, take out the PSU. You might want to remember the cable-alignment though.
Let the PSU rest for 15-30 minutes, just in case the capacitors are still charged.
Screw it open and if it is not obstructed, take out the fan. Now the wires might be with a connector or not. If not, you'll have to fix it yourself with (I don't know the exact word) shrink-sleef or something like that. It's a small plastic cillinder that shrinks when heated. I'm not sure of the english word.
If you want to take out the fanguard to decrease noise, do so now.
Insert the new fan, make sure you fasten it. Closed the psu, re-instal it in your pc.
Do a prayer and press the on button. Good luck.


If you just want to try to get it at 7 volts with that connector, try to get the minus at 5 volts instead of 0. 12 - 0 = 12 but 12 - 5 = 7. It'll require fidgeting with a molex-connector. You'll also need a 3 to 4 pin - converter (I don't know what it's called)

You could also buy a new PSU. I would go with the more interesting option though. Welcome to world of the Tweakers.

 

[McArra]

Originally posted by: AsiLuc
Best thing to do would be to mod the thing. I know you're not inclined to do so, but I think you can do it, and when you do it, you'll feel good. It's really not that hard as it seems, and I know. One thing, I'n not responsible, it's on your own risk, but it's very useful! If your system is hot already, don't do it. Because you will lose airflow and cooling power. Be sure you want this, if not, get a good, new PSU.

A little guide
Buy a quite fan! 80mm I presume. Try a quite papst, they're okay. Check the specs!
Hit the switch at the back of the PSU so the power is off. Now press the power button at the front of the pc. It should spin up half a second but die down after that. Now the capacitors have lost their charge.
Open your case, take out the PSU. You might want to remember the cable-alignment though.
Let the PSU rest for 15-30 minutes, just in case the capacitors are still charged.
Screw it open and if it is not obstructed, take out the fan. Now the wires might be with a connector or not. If not, you'll have to fix it yourself with (I don't know the exact word) shrink-sleef or something like that. It's a small plastic cillinder that shrinks when heated. I'm not sure of the english word.
If you want to take out the fanguard to decrease noise, do so now.
Insert the new fan, make sure you fasten it. Closed the psu, re-instal it in your pc.
Do a prayer and press the on button. Good luck.


If you just want to try to get it at 7 volts with that connector, try to get the minus at 5 volts instead of 0. 12 - 0 = 12 but 12 - 5 = 7. It'll require fidgeting with a molex-connector. You'll also need a 3 to 4 pin - converter (I don't know what it's called)

You could also buy a new PSU. I would go with the more interesting option though. Welcome to world of the Tweakers.

Nice answer AsiLuc :Q Wellcome to our community

 

[AsiLuc]

Thanks McArra. I did that mod myself to, but that was with a cheap PSU for a Low-end system that just needed to be quiet, no remorse on screwing it open. But now, with my new PSU, I'm not so sure, besides, the real troublemaker for me is the videocard with it's small fan...
Still, modding is cool.

 

[IlllI]

Originally posted by: Cerb
New PSU?
Replacing the fan is the best way to fix it, next to spending $30 on a PSU.

umm...thats what i was asking about i dont want to replace it, i just wanted to know if i could do anything to make the fan quieter

 

[Granorense]

Buy a quite fan! 80mm I presume. Try a quite papst, they're okay. [L=Check the specs!]http://www.papst.de/[/L.

Just akay? For what they cost they better be more then okay!!!

 

[Nebor]

Originally posted by: Granorense

Buy a quite fan! 80mm I presume. Try a quite papst, they're okay. [L=Check the specs!]http://www.papst.de/[/L.

Just akay? For what they cost they better be more then okay!!!

There are more expensive fans.

 

[0roo0roo]

i just buy a nice fan, even a led one, doesnt matter. i open up psu carefully, don't touch capacitors, they hold charge and can really zap you. unscrew old fan, cut or yank its wire. don't bother wiring new fan to psu, but simply string wire through a grate or hole to inside of case for its power. attach to a fan speed controller, and there u go, fan speed control for psu. fan speed control all ur fans course it might lead u to notice how loud your old pos hd's are. also cut out fan grates that u can, replace with wire ones, or if u have slat grates, twist em sideways so they block less air, create less turbulance.