Should the PSU fan be running all the time?

Jun 11, 2005
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I finished my first build a couple of days ago, and I noticed that my PSU fan is not running. Does it automatically come on when needed, or should it be running all the time?

I have a Antec SLK3700-BQE with the Antec Solution Series SmartPower 350.

Any thoughts?
 

imported_rod

Golden Member
Apr 13, 2005
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Are you sure it's not running?! PSU's get pretty hot pretty quickly. Every PSU I've seen (well, except the fanless models from Antec and Tt), have the fans running all the time.

Does it have two fans. Are both of them not running?!

RoD
 

mOeeOm

Platinum Member
Dec 27, 2004
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Yes, should be running, if not, then it probably died. If it is still off, highly recommend you get a new one....
 

Noriaki

Lifer
Jun 3, 2000
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Originally posted by: charger10s
Antec Solution Series SmartPower 350.

http://www.antec.com/us/productDetails.php?ProdID=26350

Unique Dual Fans Technology: exhaust fan starts to spin when the power supply reaches certain temperatures to ensure proper airflow, the second fan spins on power up.

Check on that, is it only 1 of them that isn't spinning?

If they both aren't spinning, that's probably not a good thing. Usually a PSU will get hot pretty fast, although there have been designs for fanless running.

Any thoughts?

Yeah, RTFM! ;) j/k!
 
Jun 11, 2005
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Thanks everbody, after further inspection, the fan on the front fo the PSU is running all the time; it's the fan on the back that freaked me out. I see from your comments and from the Antec site -that was linked- that the back one only runs at a certain temp.

Thanks again!!
 

Zepper

Elite Member
May 1, 2001
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Yeah, I heard about that - the back fan doesn't trip until 40 deg C or some such. I don't like that idea at all (It's just wrong! ;) ) - what if it doesn't start up when needed?

.bh.
 

ZippyDan

Platinum Member
Sep 28, 2001
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by running only when needed, one would hope that the life of the fan when be extended, meaning that chances of it starting when needed would be even better

now if what u meant was, what if the temperature sensor breaks...?
 

Zepper

Elite Member
May 1, 2001
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Well generally you get a noisy warning when a fan is nearing its last legs and they are easy to replace...

.bh.