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Started by TheBadDonkey | | 8 answers
5-Pin fan? Really Dell?
My CPU is running hot. I mean 60°C IDLE hot. I upgraded the processor on my C521 and the stock crappy heatsink just doesn't cut it. I got a new heatsink fan, and I learned the hard way that not only did Dell use their own stupid bracket instead of the standard AM2 bracket, they have a FIVE PIN CPU FAN SLOT. WHAT? I can't find a good heatsink that's 5-pin ANYWHERE. I was thinking maybe I could get a 4 pin cooler that doesn't use brackets and buy a 4 pin to molex adapter, but lucky me, can't find that either. Anyone help? Please?
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September 29, 2014 9:26:52 PM

It sounds like you have a 125 watt CPU. An aftermarket heatsink using a 3-pin to molex cable and keeping the dell 5-pin front case fan is likely the best you can do.
September 29, 2014 5:07:32 PM

Thanks. I suppose I'll go for the three pin to molex and plug it into the 4 pin heatsink I have right now.

Best solution chosen by TheBadDonkey

a b à CPUs
September 29, 2014 6:51:33 AM

TheBadDonkey said:
I am using an AMD Athlon X2 6000+, clocked at 3.0 GHz. And trust me, this is my last Dell purchase, but I simply can't afford a new PC right now.
Quote:
Ask Dell. They'll sell you a new cpu cooler for a couple of hundred bucks I'm sure.

See if you can find the pin out - 12v, tacho, pwm etc. How many wires coming from the fan?

Can you fit the Dell cooler fan to your new cooler?
The fan has 4 coolers. I hope I did that quote right, I'm new to HTML haha.
Quote:
hate these things. that's why i build my own.

will a 3/4 pin fans work? i mean, maybe it is still compatible? or just use the molex (is that the correct term?)
Nope, I have a spare heatsink, like I said, but it's 4 pin and doesn't fit. I also took out a CPU fan from a Pentium 4 system, which was 3 pin. No dice. And that's my problem somewhat. I can't find a 4 pin to molex adapter, only 3 pin to molex, which I don't want.
Quote:
It looks like Dell has two heat sinks (or more) for that computer. The first think I would do is check if you have a heat sink with copper heat pipes or an all aluminum version. The copper heat pipe version should be better and you can find one on eBay (maybe part number HK912). Also never reuse a thermal pad on a heatsink. Clean the thermal pad off the CPU and heatsink and replace it with thermal paste. I think the Dell fan is fine with the right heatsink.
Do you really think that simply using copper will bring it down 15 degrees? (not sarcasm)


Usually if plugged in right a fan would operate as long as the fan is plugged in to it's correct holes. I had a 3 PIN Aftermarket Heatsink plugged into a 4PIN fan header and it operated. The extra pins are usually just for FAN Speed Control.

I have(or had, gave it away to a friends PC) a PCcooler Silenx Effizio Heatsink that is copper based heatsink. I noticed that it cut down my Temps by 10-12 degrees. While it's not the best, it cools better than stock and is alot quieter.



If the fan lines up with that little latch then it should work(Assuming there is one on that board ^^;)
September 29, 2014 6:19:11 AM

I am using an AMD Athlon X2 6000+, clocked at 3.0 GHz. And trust me, this is my last Dell purchase, but I simply can't afford a new PC right now.
Quote:
Ask Dell. They'll sell you a new cpu cooler for a couple of hundred bucks I'm sure.

See if you can find the pin out - 12v, tacho, pwm etc. How many wires coming from the fan?

Can you fit the Dell cooler fan to your new cooler?
The fan has 4 coolers. I hope I did that quote right, I'm new to HTML haha.
Quote:
hate these things. that's why i build my own.

will a 3/4 pin fans work? i mean, maybe it is still compatible? or just use the molex (is that the correct term?)
Nope, I have a spare heatsink, like I said, but it's 4 pin and doesn't fit. I also took out a CPU fan from a Pentium 4 system, which was 3 pin. No dice. And that's my problem somewhat. I can't find a 4 pin to molex adapter, only 3 pin to molex, which I don't want.
Quote:
It looks like Dell has two heat sinks (or more) for that computer. The first think I would do is check if you have a heat sink with copper heat pipes or an all aluminum version. The copper heat pipe version should be better and you can find one on eBay (maybe part number HK912). Also never reuse a thermal pad on a heatsink. Clean the thermal pad off the CPU and heatsink and replace it with thermal paste. I think the Dell fan is fine with the right heatsink.
Do you really think that simply using copper will bring it down 15 degrees? (not sarcasm)
September 28, 2014 9:00:12 PM

Also what CPU are using? Dell only designed that slimline computer for 89 watt processors (not the 125 watt versions).
September 28, 2014 8:41:15 PM

It looks like Dell has two heat sinks (or more) for that computer. The first think I would do is check if you have a heat sink with copper heat pipes or an all aluminum version. The copper heat pipe version should be better and you can find one on eBay (maybe part number HK912). Also never reuse a thermal pad on a heatsink. Clean the thermal pad off the CPU and heatsink and replace it with thermal paste. I think the Dell fan is fine with the right heatsink.
a b à CPUs
September 28, 2014 8:20:05 PM

hate these things. that's why i build my own.

will a 3/4 pin fans work? i mean, maybe it is still compatible? or just use the molex (is that the correct term?)
a c 404 à CPUs
September 28, 2014 8:03:00 PM

Ask Dell. They'll sell you a new cpu cooler for a couple of hundred bucks I'm sure.

See if you can find the pin out - 12v, tacho, pwm etc. How many wires coming from the fan?

Can you fit the Dell cooler fan to your new cooler?

See all answers