• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Replace PSU fan with new, attached to mainboard

M

manokius

Junior Member
Here's the deal:

my PSU fan is noisy (120 mm). I can't find a replacement fan with 2 pins for the PSU, so I thought "why not install in the PSU a more silent (or less noisy) CASE fan with a 3 pin cable and attach its cable on the motherboard, beeing able to control its speed through BIOS too??". 😵

Is it possible?
Will the PSU work if no fan is attached on the 2 pin header? 😕
Will it be OK to put a ~1000 rpm fan in it or will it blow up in flames? :'(

Thank you.
 
Remove the fan from the PSU, and, if you can find the manufacturer and model number, search Google for the manufacturer's name. That may find a link to the manufacturer, and you can search the site for the model number.

What you want are the specs, including voltage (probably 12 volts), the current draw in mA, the airflow, typically in CFM (cubic feet per second), the rotation speed, the mounting centers and a noise spec (typically in dB).

You want a replacement fan that mounts on the same centers, draws around the same current, is as quiet or quieter and moves at least as much air. Less noise and more airflow are nice. 🙂

If the noise from your current fan is due to bearing wear, a ball bearing fan will probably be quieter and last longer, and double ball bearing fans are better than single ball bearing models. They usually cost more, as well.

You could also search for the manufacturer's name + the model number "in quotes." That may find other manufactures who sell equivalent or better replacements fans.

You can probably adapt a three wire fan to work on a two wire connector. The two wires you need are the red and black. The third wire usually provides fan speed info and is typically blue. It wouldn't be hard to adapt it to the three wire connector if the shape of the plug allows connecting it. Just be sure the red and black wires go to the right terminals.

If you have a spare three wire connector on the motherboard, the easiest thing to do would be to use it and ignore the two wire PSU fan connector. Your BIOS will only report what it sees, which won't include the PSU fan. I'm not sure you want to run your PSU fan at anything other than full speed, anyhow.
 
Thank you for the detailed info. 🙂

I did it, I replaced the fan with a more silent one (specs 1300 rpm, 18 db), took the 3 pin cord out of the PSU and attached it on the M/B. It works nicely, no hot air comes out of the PSU, the noise is low enough.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top