140mm fan Thermaltake is the loudest in my system...

kenratboy · Post by **kenratboy** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 8:38 pm

...I have this PSU (or VERY similar, 550w, modular cables, and 140mm fan):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6817153051

Works fine, but after going psycho on my ATI 4850 (end result is a S1 and 120mm 10dB. fan), the PSU is now the loudest thing in the computer by far (which is still pretty quiet).

My goal is to buy a new 140mm fan and install it, however, I am not sure how many RPM/CFM the current fan is, and I really don't want to go lower and risk killing the PSU or just running it too hot (I know I will void the warranty by doing this, but whatever...)

Do you think a fan like this would work well, and provide enough air flow?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6835106115

It is listed as 16dB., which I am sure is going to be fine.

Any advice?

Thanks!

edh · Post by **edh** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 11:54 pm

I'm not surprised that something from Thermaltake is loud.

Why not open the PSU up and see what fan they have used? Even if it is an OEM only fan it should have some kind of product code on it which you can google to find specs for it.

jaganath · Post by **jaganath** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 1:38 am

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6835106115

It is listed as 16dB., which I am sure is going to be fine.

never, EVER take Thermaltake specs as gospel. if they have ever built a quiet product it is only by complete accident. quiet 140mm fans are quite few, Yate Loon is pretty much the only one:
http://www.jab-tech.com/140mm-Fans-c-282.html

kenratboy · Post by **kenratboy** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 8:32 am

Hmmmm, those still see a little loud (25dB., but no idea how loud the current one it. All the other fans (CPU and GPU cooler, and two case fans) are virtually noise-free.

http://www.coolerguys.com/840556086390.html (same one I think).

kenratboy · Post by **kenratboy** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 8:33 am

edh wrote:I'm not surprised that something from Thermaltake is loud.

Why not open the PSU up and see what fan they have used? Even if it is an OEM only fan it should have some kind of product code on it which you can google to find specs for it.

Good point.

jaganath · Post by **jaganath** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 9:31 am

Hmmmm, those still seem a little loud (25dB)

25dBA is actually pretty quiet (see typical sound levels here) and the important thing is that it's an honest rating. TT's marketing people are well-aware that most people just believe whatever's stated on the product page, so they make up a number (like 16dB) and stick it on there. technically it's not lying because they don't say how they measured 16dB (ie from 100m away virtually every fan is silent). also see this thread for more testimonials on the YL.

SnooP · Post by **SnooP** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 3:44 pm

According to this review its already got a decent yate loon fan in it, but fan control isn't agressive enough.

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cooler ... u7_18.html

Instead of replacing fan, i'd suggest adding a a couple diodes in series with the fan, or resister to lower the fan speed. That fan should be silent enough when run say 200-300rpm lower.

thejamppa · Post by **thejamppa** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 11:36 pm

I kinda agree with SnooP. 140mm fans are growing in numbers slowly but they're not standard like 120mm fan and depending where you live getting 140mm fan might be seriously hard. However adding diode etc does require some soldiering skills which not all peoples posses.

lodestar · Post by **lodestar** » Sat Sep 13, 2008 4:08 am

What are your 4850 idle and load temperatures?

kenratboy · Post by **kenratboy** » Sat Sep 13, 2008 5:45 am

lodestar wrote:What are your 4850 idle and load temperatures?

35C idle, and 55c load. Its nice.

petercrab · Post by **petercrab** » Tue May 26, 2009 3:25 am

SnooP wrote:Instead of replacing fan, i'd suggest adding a a couple diodes in series with the fan, or resister to lower the fan speed. That fan should be silent enough when run say 200-300rpm lower.

Please explain how a diode can lower fan speed. I understand resistor, but a diode just make current go one direction.