What do you guys think of putting a 92mm fan on Alpha-PAL8045?

[Squisher]

After doing allot of online shopping for fans this week I noticed that most of the 92mm fans at 50cfm are about 10dba less in noise. What about slapping an adapter on the Alpha and installing a 92mm fan. I realise that they're bound to be heavier and your increasing the torque by putting an adapter on, but the adapter for 80mm to 92mm at plycon looks like its about a 1/4 inch tall. I could always increase the force alittle to the top two springs to keep the force equal. Is it worth a try?

 

[FullRoast]

I am in the process of putting a 92 mm fan on an Alpha 8045. Rather than buy an adapter, I took an old 80 mm fan and cut out the motor and supports, leaving just the outside casing of the fan. I then took a 92 mm fan that I salvaged from another system and fastened it to the 80 mm fan shell with tie wraps. I covered the gap between the 80 mm fan shell and the 92 mm fan with electrical tape. I am going to use the Alpha 8045 and fan with a 1.4 Ghz Athlon. The processor currently has a Gladiator heatsink and 36 cfm Top Motor fan. I am hoping for a quieter solution with the Alpha + 92 mm fan, not necessarily a cooler one. If I get some time today, I'll check it out and let you know the results. Otherwise, it will have to wait a couple of days.

 

[Muerto]

If you used an adapter it would definitely be quieter but it wouldn't be any cooler. You lose quite a bit of air pressure with an adapter. But it's still probably worth a try. You may also want to think about a 80mm Panaflo fan. They're 24CFM @ 21dba. Very quiet with enough airflow to cool a 1.4GHz Athlon.

 

[Swanny]

With the fan sucking like it would be on an Alpha I don't think you'll lose as much airflow from an adapter. I think that problem is only with the fan blowing through the adapter.

 

[Muerto]

"With the fan sucking like it would be on an Alpha I don't think you'll lose as much airflow from an adapter. I think that problem is only with the fan blowing through the adapter. "

That's a good point actually. I'm not sure how much you would lose. It'd be an interesting test to do.

 

[Squisher]

By going to a 92mm fan I'll get about 50cfm with only 30dba rather then the low 40s like most of the 50cfm/80mm solutions. Your only talking about 6mm on a side, but I still plan on shaping it into a funnel if it isn't already.

My biggest concern would be the weight of the larger fan hanging off a 1/4 inch further from mobo along with the massive 8045. Just alittle sag and its all over. I'm putting a nonmetalic shim in to try and keep everything square. Hope I don't need a guy wire to support it