Windows 7 - External Case Cooling

linnemeyerhere · 02-01-2012

I'm also in need of (2) replacement 50mm case fans and as you found out Noctua doesn't chase after the small fan or extremely large fan market. Does anyone have experience with quiet 50mm fans?

ignatzatsonic · 02-01-2012

When you get down below 80mm, fan choices become fewer.

I'm accustomed to even numbers--80, 100, 120.

All I can suggest is to pound the net and various dealers.

Here's a few meager possibilities. "Quiet 50mm" may be a contradiction in terms.

50mm Fans*::*Case Fans*::*Case fans and accessories*::*Jab-tech

seekermeister · 02-03-2012

Even though cleaning the fan quietened it down, it has slowly returned to the original noise level, so I went ahead and order the SilenX IXP-34-12 that Phone Man suggested. I don't know if it is the quietest one available, but from the spec is should be a big improvement over what I have.

linnemeyerhere · 02-03-2012

Good news seekermeister, let us know how it works out and if they work well I'll order (2) 50mm's from them. Mine are taken from a $6.00 HDD cooler and make a real racket till the little lube inside warms and then go fairly quiet.

seekermeister · 02-09-2012

My order for the SilenX IXP-34-12 just arrived, and it looks as though I shall have to return it, because the fan is 1" thick, which is far more than I ever expected, and it will not fit into the space alloted inside the case. The ads did specify the thickness of them, but in millimeters, and my mind doesn't work on that scale. I guess that is why the fan is able to move as much air as it does, because the blades are as deep as much larger fans.

linnemeyerhere · 02-09-2012

It's funny you mention that because I notice that myself. The smaller the fan the deeper the blade. Sounds like some ancient computer saying "ah...smaller the fan, deeper the blade". Hope you find the depth, keep looking their out there. Where I'll be using my twin 50mm's they can be as deep as possible.

Phone Man · 02-09-2012

Quote: Originally Posted by seekermeister

My order for the SilenX IXP-34-12 just arrived, and it looks as though I shall have to return it, because the fan is 1" thick, which is far more than I ever expected, and it will not fit into the space alloted inside the case. The ads did specify the thickness of them, but in millimeters, and my mind doesn't work on that scale. I guess that is why the fan is able to move as much air as it does, because the blades are as deep as much larger fans.

Sorry to hear that. You can use the built in calculator to convert units. Open Calculator and Under View select Unit Conversion.

External Case Cooling-unit-conversion.png

Hope you can find one that works.

Jim

seekermeister · 02-09-2012

Being able to convert the numbers is not the problem, thinking about the need to do so is, and they don't make a calculator for that purpose.

seekermeister · 02-09-2012

I just had to reopen the case to measure the old fan, and was surprised to find that there is some extra space available, but unfortunately not enough. The new fan would have fit, except that the circuit board extends into the back panel ~3/16". If not for that, it would have been a perfect fit.

Now I have to decide about a fan of 20mm or less to buy. The good part of that is that what I have seen is a lot cheaper. I wonder if they are anywhere as good? I also may need a 2 to 3 pin adapter, since all of the fans I've seen so far are 3 pin, and the case socket is only 2 pin.

seekermeister · 03-03-2012

The fans that I ordered arrived...at least they are supposed to be in the mailbox, so I will be installing them later today. I got wondering if it might be a good idea to spray them with some additional lubricant? I know that they are already lubed, but when I sprayed the old fans, they stopped making a racket for a little over a week each time. Would more lube be good, or would it be an overkill?