I'm going mad - PSU fan as final source of sound!

40974111 · Post by **40974111** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 6:22 am

Link to system: viewtopic.php?t=54723

My PSU fan noise is killing me!

Alright, the way it is all currently setup, there is an AC12025 fan on the heatsink, and it spins at 500ish rpm until cores hit about 64 degrees - which I've only managed to achieve once after over 12 hours at full load. So assume that this fan is at 500rpm always and is inaudible.

The exhaust fan, a Noctua @ about 600rpm is only turned on (manually) when the core temps get above 50 degrees (i.e. when CPU is at full load). Leaving the case at these temps without the exhaust sends the motherboard and hard drive sensors to 40 degrees, which I set as personal limits.

The major source of noise is the Corsair HX450 fan and the hard drive. My Vertex should arrive tomorrow, and eliminate the hard drive noise. But the PSU fan is the big noise producer.

Does anyone have any suggestions on an alternative? The sound is smooth, and bearable during the day, but I'm in a quiet area and have been finding myself working till 1am, and its really bugging me at these hours.

I don't think I can run off a PicoPSU. I've tried searching for fanless or hybrid PSUs available in Australia, and the only one I've managed to locate is the Antec Phantom 500. Unfortunately, at about $250 after shipping, I can't justify it. Are there any other options?

Post by **MikeC** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 6:31 am

Just swap out the fan. Not difficult.

40974111 · Post by **40974111** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 2:46 pm

I guess I just have an ever so slight hesitance about swapping out the fan.

If I was to go down that root which fan would be best (Access to Nexus, Noctua and Scythe).

Post by **MikeC** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 2:54 pm

Ideally, a Scythe S-flex 1200 or 1600rpm fan. These have FDB bearings which are more reliable than sleeve bearings. But lots of people have used sleeve bearing fans (cheaper) w/o reliability issues.

Strid · Post by **Strid** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 2:54 pm

40974111 wrote:I guess I just have an ever so slight hesitance about swapping out the fan.

If I was to go down that root which fan would be best (Access to Nexus, Noctua and Scythe).

You shouldn't worry about fan swaps, other than you're voiding the warranty of your PSU, but I guess you already know that.

As for which fan, the brands you mentioned are all super quality fans. Pick a brand you like and feel comfortable putting in a PSU. I've had a Nexus in a PSU myself and it worked perfectly. If the PSU still ramps up the fan RPM for no reason, maybe even hardwire it to like 600 RPM or something.

JamieG · Post by **JamieG** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 4:08 pm

MikeC wrote:Ideally, a Scythe S-flex 1200 or 1600rpm fan. These have FDB bearings which are more reliable than sleeve bearings. But lots of people have used sleeve bearing fans (cheaper) w/o reliability issues.

+ 1 for Scythe S-Flex fans. If you want to wire the fan to the PSU's fan header, use the 1600rpm version. (I've used this successfully to quiet my Zalman 600W PSU). Otherwise, if you are going to wire the fan to a motherboard fan header or a fan controller, or just set it to a fixed voltage, the 1200rpm version may be good enough.

40974111 · Post by **40974111** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 5:22 am

MikeC wrote:Ideally, a Scythe S-flex 1200 or 1600rpm fan. These have FDB bearings which are more reliable than sleeve bearings. But lots of people have used sleeve bearing fans (cheaper) w/o reliability issues.

I have a Noctua that is doing almost nothing as an intake fan. Would it be as good as the scythe? It has some kind of fluid bearing too, doesn't it?

Post by **NeilBlanchard** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 5:38 am

Hi,

The original Noctua would not be the best choice, IMO -- the narrow blades are lousy when they have to work against a little pressure; like moving air through a PSU and out of a case. It may be worth trying anyway, to see if it works better than the stock fan?