Fan

[danfman]

I need to install a fan to cool the cabinet and I need to power it from the PC.  I have 2 connections available from the power supply, a P4 and P8 connectors. 

I guess my question is what kind of fan should I buy?  Should I look for something that will connect into one of the 2 connectors mentioned or should I look to connect it to mother board or something?

[thecheat]

Buy a 12v fan and connect the black and red wires to the black and yellow wires off of one of the 4-pin hard drive connectors. Some of the larger (120mm) fans come with these adaptors that fit inline with the power connectors and just plug in.

If you have a yellow wire in addition to the black and red wire on the fan, disregard it, it is for the tachometer function.

[KissMyWookie]

Another thing to consider, is that generally the larger fans can be run at lower speeds (while moving the same amount of air as a smaller fan) which will make them virtually silent.

140mm fans are becoming popular and 2x of them should keep your cabinet cool, but ideally a 200mm one would be best.

You can get fan controllers (either electronic, like the Zalman fanmate or others which are glorified rheostats) to fine tune the speed/airflow/noise.

Either the fan or a fan controller may even come with a 4-pin molex (HDD power connector) to 3-pin fan connector, should you need one.

Steve

[ami-man]

Hi,

If you fit a fan you will need to fit a vent at a lower level on the cabinet or fit another fan to pull air into the cabinet so you get a flow of air.

Regards
Alan Hood
ami-man

[KissMyWookie]

Another thing to consider is if you want positive or negative air pressure ... that is, the fan blowing cool air in or sucking warm air out.

With negative pressure, unless your cabinet is sealed nice and tight (except for fresh air intakes at the bottom rear of the cabinet), dust will build up around anywhere air can find it's way in. ie: around the monitor bezel, marquee, coin door slots, etc.

If you have the same number/type of fans blowing in the bottom and sucking out the top, then the pressure in your cabinet will be balanced and dust will only gather in the path that the air flows. (and onto components it flows over/around).

Steve

[Haterot]

Invest in some fan filters. You can get these online or sometimes at some big box stores. If you want to go cheap head to a fabric store. Anything that can be stretched and will breathe can be used as a filter. hell I used an old pair of my wife's ripped panythhose on a rig once. it works.

[CadeFreak]

I have 3 different types of 12 volt fans at work. I have about 20 of each, ex stock from a technicians. I wont be able to upload photos until friday so cheak back you might have interest! 

[Beretta]

as was said larger fans move the same amount of air at lower speeds.. lower speeds equal less noise.

it's easier to get ahold of 120mm fans then 140 or 200mm though.

make sure you dont put your intake and exhaust fans close together or you'll get a short circuit in your air flow.


as for power.. you can wire them up to a 4 pin directly off the power supply, if your fan is a high performance one that draws a lot of powre then that is the recommended way.

however if you hook them up to the 3pin on the mother board AND your mother board supports it..

you can control the fan and monitor its speed (assuming it has 3 wires for RPM sensor)

so for example you could have the computer automatically control fan speed and it will only increase as the computer heats up.

so it's something to keep in mind.