Dell cpu fan replacement and amps

[kailuron]

I have a Dell dimension 4550 with a bad jmc/datech CPU fan 12v .85a I also had two Dell dimension 3000 that I tore apart ages ago leaving two working nidec betav 12v 1.8a. My question is, can I put one of the good fans in place of the bad one? I ask because I have heard that the higher amp will only make the computer louder (fine by me I have an original Xbox 360 noise is not a problem) but I have also heard it could cause problems with the connector on the mobo or with the mobo entirely (Which I would prefer avoiding). I have finals this and next week so i have no time for shopping or waiting for a fan to ship and i actually had this exact problem two months ago when suddenly i got the fan to work after thorough cleaning, but again i have a time frame, i actually already have late work :/

I will say last time i did hook up a 1.8a fan to the computer and it was fine but i did it only shortly because i was anxious not knowing if it was dangerous for my computer and decided to try the old fan and all of a sudden it worked again after failing entirely 3 times before. I just dont know whether prolonged use could make it dangerous or if it could randomly cause damage so any knowledgeable answers are graciously welcome.

 

[acer0169]

It shouldn't damage your computer in anyway using the higher amp fan, it'll just be louder as you say. Personally, I'd suggest plugging it in, but ordering either a replacement stock fan or something else that'll do the job so in a week or so's time you can have a quieter computer and know 100% everything is hunky-doory.

 

[COLGeek]

I have a Dell dimension 4550 with a bad jmc/datech CPU fan 12v .85a I also had two Dell dimension 3000 that I tore apart ages ago leaving two working nidec betav 12v 1.8a. My question is, can I put one of the good fans in place of the bad one? I ask because I have heard that the higher amp will only make the computer louder (fine by me I have an original Xbox 360 noise is not a problem) but I have also heard it could cause problems with the connector on the mobo or with the mobo entirely (Which I would prefer avoiding). I have finals this and next week so i have no time for shopping or waiting for a fan to ship and i actually had this exact problem two months ago when suddenly i got the fan to work after thorough cleaning, but again i have a time frame, i actually already have late work :/

I will say last time i did hook up a 1.8a fan to the computer and it was fine but i did it only shortly because i was anxious not knowing if it was dangerous for my computer and decided to try the old fan and all of a sudden it worked again after failing entirely 3 times before. I just dont know whether prolonged use could make it dangerous or if it could randomly cause damage so any knowledgeable answers are graciously welcome.

As long as the pin-out in the connector is the same, using the higher amperage fan will be fine. Dell had some odd, 3-pin, 4-pin, and even 5-pin fans that were used with some of their older systems. If the physical connector is the same between the 2 fans, you should be okay. Good luck!