Replacing PSU Fan

Livzz

New Member
hey people,

I have a SilverStone 650W Zues power supply, and the fan it has could wake the dead - its that loud (29dBA minimum!).
all the specs for this psu tell me is that its got an 80mm fan... so i'm looking at replacing it with a SilenX fan:
http://pccasegear.com.au/prod1582.htm

anyone got any tips or hints before i do this??

cheers,
Paul
 
Well PSU fans use a special 2-pin connection, therefore without some wire splicing, you cannot replace it. Also, I highly de-recommend opening a PSU. High voltages are stored in there, even hours after you turn it off. Also, it voids the warranty.

If there is something wrong with the fan, RMA it. If there isn't, then live with the noise.
 
replacing a Fan is quite easy, yes, you might have to cut the cables of the old Fan, and solder the new Fan on, or you try to change the connector.
Like bobo said,.. there are 2 possibilities for the number of cables, usually a casefan has 3 cables, the yellow one is just a sensor tough. so if you cant connect that one in the PSU, its no problem.
as for the voltages wich could be on there, PSU's have quite big Capasitors, so make sure you have it cut from the power quite a wile.

but i wouldnt worry about the voltages too much tough. its not like a tv or monitor where they generate 10000v or so, jsut be careful ;)

you can discharge the capasitors tough, but taking 2 cables, ground them on 1 end, and put them on the pinn's of the capacitor on the other end :)
 
does anyone know what the speed (rpm) of my psu fan is? I cant find it anywhere...
Silverstone 650W Zues, ST65ZF
 
why would you want to know that? anyway, i dont think you'll find the rpm if you search for the CPU name. look at the sticked on the Fan, and look on the internat for those names/numbers :)
 
Hehehe. Just replace it by splicing the wires as has been properly mentioned. That's what we all do. A pair of wire cutters, wire strippers (or your teeth as I do. lol), some electrical tape and if you're really particular some solder and a soldering iron.

Be fair warned though.. Those capacitors in those things will retain a charge for days. There is enough power in them to throw a screwdriver across the room (it's really funny, you should try it.. It even takes a chunk out of the screwdriver). Ok... Maybe don't try it.. I'd hate to see you get hurt or something stupid. Then I'd feel terrible. :(

Anyways, cut and strip the wires, twist the new ones together. Tape them up so neither one is touching and fire that puppy up. Should be good as new again.
 
I want to know its speed, because theres probably a reason behind putting a noisy fan in there - it needs a lot of air flow. So if i replace it with a quieter fan, am i sacrificing efficiency for comfort? the fan i'm looking to replace it with is a SilenX fan, its only 14dB, but how much less powerfull is it?

and i just had a look at my PSU today, took out the current fan to see how easy it is, and its like taking candy from a sleeping baby... so if the new fan will be a sufficient replacement, i'll go ahead and order the new fan.
Cheers!
Paul
 
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I want to know its speed, because theres probably a reason behind putting a noisy fan in there - it needs a lot of air flow. So if i replace it with a quieter fan, am i sacrificing efficiency for comfort? the fan i'm looking to replace it with is a SilenX fan, its only 14dB, but how much less powerfull is it?

then you dont want to know the rpm, but the ammount of air the Fan can move per minute :) because the Moved air isnt only the rpm of a Fan, its also the design of the blades of that fan. ( and there are designt for very quite fans, who perform just as well as a noisy one ) :o

C
 
ok.... so how do i find out how much air it can move per minute? the only info on the fan on the PSU stats sheet is "80mm ball bearing fan".

Do you reckon i should just replace it with the SilenX fan mentioned earlier?
I've read some reviews on it, and they all say that The SilenX fan keeps temperatures as low as heaps of other types of fans.
 
from what you tell me,.. yes.
i dont think the silentX will perform any worse than the Fan already in there.
that Fan isnt really high quality i think,.. because if it was, the manufacturer name etc would stand on it with Big words :)
and from what ive hear, the SilentX is a very good performing Fan at low noise lvl's ;)
 
well its got the Silverstone branding on it, but thats it...

ok, thanks for the discussion/advice, i'll go ahead and get the new fan.

Cheers,
Paul
 
i just found the specs for the current PSU fan, its 29-40dB, and pushes 43.8CFM...
the fan i'm planning to replace it with is a papst fan: 19dB, and pushes 26CFM.

Is that going to be sufficient? i'm never gonna have the psu running at full load, so its not likely to get too hot... If it des end up needing better airfow, how hard it it to attach a fan to the back of the psu, so i've got one blowing air in on one side, and one blowing air out on the other side?
 
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