Remove power supply exhaust fan?

gplanet

Senior member
Jan 5, 2002
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I have a Sparkle 180W microATX power supply that has a maybe 90mm exhaust fan on it. In order to reduce computer noise, I was thinking of removing this fan and putting a large heatsink on the metal casing of the power supply...either a big heatsink from an audio amplifier, or maybe two CPU heatsinks side by side. Is this going to work or kill my power supply?
 

farmercal

Golden Member
Mar 23, 2000
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There are a lot of components in that power supply that generate heat. Unless you can put a separate device on each component I don't think it will work. There are quieter fans out there, two that come to mind are the Papst (expensive and quiet) and Panaflos (which I'm told are cheap but quiet). Replace the fan if it's bothering you that much, I did. Now my HSF is driving crazy. Good Luck.

Cal
 

whitelight

Diamond Member
Apr 9, 2001
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the psu already has heatsinks on the hot components of the psu, so adding heatsinks to the side of the casing will not help. it might actually be worse because you won't let the heat escape through the vents of the psu. you can replace the fan with a quieter one. i recommend the enermax 92mm manually adjustable fan. on its lowest setting, it is extremely quiet. i think less than 25dba.

link to the fan here
this zalman fan looks like it'll work too
 

gplanet

Senior member
Jan 5, 2002
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ok, i'll just go with the panaflo

but i heard that dell power supplies just use a big heatsink which is one reason why they're so quiet