Replacing PSU fan

Vladislav Antonov · Aug 28, 2014

hello,what fan can I use to replace the stock fan on http://www.powercolor.com/global/products_power_features.asp?id=10 PSU ?

these are some photos of how it looks without cover :
http://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/powercolor-extreme-series-1000w-power-supply-review/3/

Are there any specific requirements,or any fan will work? I want to replace the fan because it makes a lot of noise(just air moving noise)even when the PC is completely idle.I used my iphone to measure the decibels,its around ~45. Also I am from Bulgaria so I am forced to used this site:
http://www.altech.bg/bg/catalog/201/ventilatori-ohladiteli

volcanoscout · Aug 28, 2014

I wouldn't recommend replacing the fan - if you do, take it to a repair shop. Doing it yourself will give you a good opportunity to kill yourself - the capacitors in the PSU carry enough juice to be lethal, even when it's unplugged from the wall. If it's too loud, buy a good quality PSU. You can use the list linked below to pick one - try to get a Tier 3 or better.

http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-1804779/power-supply-unit-tier-list.html

Vladislav Antonov · Aug 28, 2014

my PSU is of very good quality(if u checked the link).I don't mind killing myself,could you answer my question please.

volcanoscout · Aug 28, 2014

I'm sure it's a great PSU, but Solytech isn't exactly known for it's premium builds. As for safely disassembling the PSU, obviously it can be done, but you'll need to find someone else to help you, sorry.

Good luck!

Vladislav Antonov · Aug 28, 2014

Its PowerColor not solytech? what did you click lol .. I will use gloves,I heard they can help.I have opened PSU's many times before,for cleaning dust,but i've never changed a fan..

volcanoscout · Aug 28, 2014

Power Color sells it branded with their logo, but the OEM is Solytech : http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page5472.htm

Vladislav Antonov · Aug 28, 2014

well the PSU is working fine anyway,24/7 stable,just the fan is very loud...

again..will Any fan work? or do I have to look for some specific specs?

volcanoscout · Aug 28, 2014

Vladislav Antonov :

If it's still under warranty, I'd look to RMA it - according to the review, the thing should be whisper quiet until you get to 750W-1000W load. At 1000W, the reviewers measured it at 34.3 dbA.

Vladislav Antonov · Aug 28, 2014

its about 3 years old and i've opened it several times to clean it up,warranty is over.I just need to know what kind of amps/volts i need to have on the new fan to make it work

volcanoscout · Aug 28, 2014

Vladislav Antonov :

Are you looking for a direct replacement, as in identical, or just one that will work? (and be quieter)

Vladislav Antonov · Aug 28, 2014

just one that will work and be quieter and not overheat the psu.Also I want to ask,how does the psu change the fan speed when there are only red and black (2 wires) connecting the fan to the psu,shouldnt they be 4.My psu has a fan connector as you can see on the photo i posted earlier,can I just hook up the new fan without any kind of soldering?(what if its 3pin?)

Vladislav Antonov · Aug 30, 2014

hello?

Vladislav Antonov · Aug 31, 2014

reply plssss

volcanoscout · Aug 31, 2014

Sorry for the delay. After doing some research, I believe you only have one practical option, with two variations. The fan in the PSU is thermally controlled, but the sensor is actually contained in the fan rather than somewhere else in the PSU case, which is why it only has power and ground wires - the fan controller in the fan hub is what is going to vary the speed based on internal PSU temps. I looked through the website you linked and was not able to find any fans with thermal control. You'll want to take a look yourself as I may have just missed it.

If you can't get a thermal control fan, you can use a 2- or 3-pin fan (these are the two variations I mentioned above). The only problem is that it's going to run at 100% all the time. This won't bother your PSU at all, and if you get one that's quiet enough while still providing good airflow it shouldn't bother you either.

The header and fan connector in the pic look like standard sizes, so you can probably just plug either fan connector into the header - the 3-pin connector will have the tach wire (usually yellow) hanging off the right side with no corresponding pin. If the header won't accommodate a 3pin plug, you can just remove the wires from the stock connector and switch it with the one on the fan and clip the fan's tach wire off as it won't be used anyway.

A few things you'll want to verify when you do this:
1. Make sure that the replacement fan will actually fit.
2. Make sure that the pinout matches, i.e. ground and positive wires of the fan connect with ground and positive pins on the header.
3. Make sure the replacement fan doesn't draw more than .40A. The header can probably handle more, but that's what the stock fan draws so better to play it safe.

I'll take another look at the fans on the website and see if I can't come up with a recommendation for a specific fan.

Vladislav Antonov · Aug 31, 2014

I think my current PSU fan is not changing its speed at all,the thermal sensor is probably broken,idle on desktop or gaming its always the same amount of noise.I will go and clean it thoroughly tomorrow to see if it will improve,if not I am buying this fan http://www.aerocool.us/accessory/shark_bu14.html I could not find any thermal controlled fans in my region,so I will be running it at 100% all the time,if the 2pin in the psu dont work for one reason or another,im just going to connect it to a molex cable outside of the psu(this way the psu won't be 100% closed,but shouldnt be a problem)The stock fan is 12v 0.40A,this one is 12v 0.36A and has 95CFM which should be sufficient,has a blue led too

I will keep you posted on the results

volcanoscout · Aug 31, 2014

Be very careful. It's no joke - there's plenty enough amps in that PSU to kill you. Why don't you just sell it and get a new one?

Vladislav Antonov · Sep 3, 2014

hi,I am alive

I cleaned it up and an idea popped up in my head,to turn the PSU upside down,this way it sucks up air from inside the case instead from outside through a filter on the bottom of the case...A case fan on the side panel blows very close to it...PC is super quiet now.40decibels 1 meter from with,compared to 48 before.also when the pc is turned off I get 27decibels so its a noisy environment.So yea,turning the PSU upside down definately works!

volcanoscout · Sep 3, 2014

So it wasn't the fan after all, but your case temps. I should have thought to ask the orientation, but you sounded so sure about the fan that it didn't occur to me - sorry.

Vladislav Antonov · Sep 3, 2014

It could still be the fan,not sure.gravity is pulling the other way now

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