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Need some advice - PSU Fan Swap for Akasa Apache?

Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2012 7:30 am
by adr3nal1n
Hi,

Need some advice from you guys in the know,

I have this PSU http://www.dvhardware.net/review54_silverstone350w.html

It's installed in my low-powered (2.3Ghz core2duo) HTPC in the living room and I find the PSU fan fairly loud at idle.

I have a brand new and boxed Akasa Apache 120mm Fan in my cupboard of PC spares. http://www.akasa.com.tw/update.php?tpl= ... l=AK-FN057

The existing PSU fan is rated at 0.34A with max airflow of 80.5 CFM and the Apache Fan is rated at 0.33A with a max airflow of 57.53 CFM

Is the Apache fan suitable for this kind of swap, given I am trying to lower the noise level of the PSU whilst still maintaining the right level of cooling for the PSU? (The air that exits the PSU with the current fan never feels warm and the CPU usage of the HTPC never really goes above 20%)

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Re: Need some advice - PSU Fan Swap for Akasa Apache?

Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2012 12:01 pm
by MikeC
The swap seems worth trying, as no doubt the Akasa fan is much quieter. But as it is a 4-pin PWM fan, you'll have to run the lead out of the PSU & plug it into a motherboard fan header -- which hopefully can control the fan speed intelligently... or at least run it at a nice fixed speed (like maybe 800~1000 rpm, which is about where most 120mm fans in a HTPC fade into the ambient noise. (Assuming a 6~8' distance to seated viewer).

Re: Need some advice - PSU Fan Swap for Akasa Apache?

Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2012 12:13 pm
by adr3nal1n
Thanks very much for the advice Mike,

I have had a further rummage around in my spares cupboard and have found one other 120mm fan. It is a Sharkoon Silent Eagle 1000 and has a 3-pin plug http://www.sharkoon.com/?q=en/content/silent-eagle

Do you think this would be a better choice in this situation, or would the lower airflow be an issue?

Thanks again for your help, it's much appreciated.

Re: Need some advice - PSU Fan Swap for Akasa Apache?

Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2012 4:57 pm
by MikeC
Hard to say... but it's a 1000rpm fan, compared to the 2000rpm of the original, so you risk it not starting till the PSU gets hotter. Which isn't bad for noise but might shorten whatever life is left in the capacitors in the PSU, as heat seems to be the primary cause of cap decline.