12V to 7V cable to quiet a case fan

cvrefugee · June 1st, 2008, 06:40 AM

The 120mm exhaust fan in my mom's computer is getting loud (sounds like the bearings are going out). We both have Antec cases, but mine is a Sonata, so it has a special molex cable that is specifically to be used for the exhaust fan (which reduces the voltage and consequently the noise). My question is if I can buy this to make her fan quiet like mine?

I'm 99% positive this is what I need, short of buying an expensive fan controller, which normally only controls fans with 3-pin connectors anyways (this one is a normal 4-pin molex).

MadCow809 · June 1st, 2008, 07:16 AM

Never tried it.

But isn't easier to just replace the fan with a quieter one??

Vette Boss · June 1st, 2008, 07:25 AM

That cable will do the job. I've found Antec fans to be pretty low quality, problems with the bearings, as you noted.

With the bearings starting to grind, the fan probably won't last much longer.

MXM · June 1st, 2008, 07:29 AM

If bearings are done, slowing the fan down is only a temporary solution. But reducing 12v to 7v will definitely slow it down. I don't see why do you need to buy a cable, molex can be easily taken apart and reconfigured. You need a small flat screwdriver at most to push the pins out.

cvrefugee · June 1st, 2008, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MXM

If bearings are done, slowing the fan down is only a temporary solution. But reducing 12v to 7v will definitely slow it down. I don't see why do you need to buy a cable, molex can be easily taken apart and reconfigured. You need a small flat screwdriver at most to push the pins out.

The bearings are only noisy on a cold boot. Eventually I'll replace the fan but for now the reduced noise is what I wanted. After I made this post, I looked around online to see how to make my own 12V to 7V adapter since it looked so simple. I found a splitter and cannibalized that. I took this picture after I made the adapter and installed it, but it looks like this guy's (the bottom one):

http://pic.phyrefile.com/a/an/anonymous/2008/06/01/misc_003.jpg

http://pic.phyrefile.com/a/an/anonymous/2008/06/01/misc_002.JPG

Also, I learned not to mess around with Zalman, he will slice you up nicely!

http://pic.phyrefile.com/a/an/anonymous/2008/06/01/misc_001.JPG

Random photo of my mouse:

http://pic.phyrefile.com/a/an/anonymous/2008/06/01/misc_010.JPG

Viper007Bond · June 1st, 2008, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cvrefugee

Also, I learned not to mess around with Zalman, he will slice you up nicely!

Haha, yeah. I fucked myself up badly a month or two back as well via my HSF. images/smilies/sad.gif

Quote:

Originally Posted by cvrefugee

Random photo of my mouse:

Haha, I see we have the same wear pattern too! images/smilies/happy.gif

the Interceptor · June 1st, 2008, 09:31 AM

As long as you have one of these Molex cables, making yourself a 12 to 7V is no big deal. You just have to make sure you're making it the right way around, the rest is just swapping ground to 5V.

June 1st, 2008, 06:40 AM	#1
cvrefugee Joined: Aug 16th, 2004 Last Online: 07:37 AM Location: Corona, CA Age: 28 Posts: 3,296 Car: 2005 Scion xB Rep Power: 53	12V to 7V cable to quiet a case fan The 120mm exhaust fan in my mom's computer is getting loud (sounds like the bearings are going out). We both have Antec cases, but mine is a Sonata, so it has a special molex cable that is specifically to be used for the exhaust fan (which reduces the voltage and consequently the noise). My question is if I can buy this to make her fan quiet like mine? I'm 99% positive this is what I need, short of buying an expensive fan controller, which normally only controls fans with 3-pin connectors anyways (this one is a normal 4-pin molex).

June 1st, 2008, 07:16 AM	#2
MadCow809 Joined: Feb 23rd, 2006 Last Online: 01:13 AM Location: Durban, South Africa / Los Angeles, California Age: 23 Posts: 2,773 Car: 2007 E87 BMW 130i Rep Power: 25	Never tried it. But isn't easier to just replace the fan with a quieter one?? __________________ Supporting : A.Priaulx, Kimi Räikkönen, J.Button, R.Kubica, P.Solberg, M.Hirvonen, J.Plato & M.Jackson FinalGear's Car/Bike Register 08 Currently looking for a car.... 08 Honda Civic Coupe 06 BMW 130i 05 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS 05 Ford Bantam 1.3i 95 Mercedes Benz E320 Sportline Intel Core 2 Duo E4300 @ 3Ghz (333 X 9 @ 1.44v ~ 35°c with ZEROtherm BTF90/92mm Cooler) \| DFI INFINITY P965-S \| Corsair XMS DDR II 800 6 Gb \| GeCube ATi HD3850 512mb @ 800/1000Mhz \| Seagate 160Gb + 500Gb + 500Gb + 750Gb \| LITE-ON 20X DVDRW \| XION 600W PSU \| Logitech Z-2300 \| Logitech MX1000 \| Logitech G25 \| Dual 22" LCD Display @ 3360 x 1050 \| CoolerMaster Centurion 590 \| Vista 64 Ultimate \|

June 1st, 2008, 07:25 AM	#3
Vette Boss Joined: Nov 14th, 2004 Last Online: 08:02 AM Location: United States, Britain, in time Age: 22 Posts: 2,858 Car: Nissan Altima 3.5-litre SE Rep Power: 30	That cable will do the job. I've found Antec fans to be pretty low quality, problems with the bearings, as you noted. With the bearings starting to grind, the fan probably won't last much longer. __________________ 2003 Nissan Altima 3.5SE SHIFT_the future

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June 1st, 2008, 07:29 AM	#4
MXM old porsches do run! Joined: Jun 9th, 2004 Last Online: 09:46 AM Location: Finland Age: 26 Posts: 2,591 Car: Porsche 944 LFS Status: Rep Power: 29	If bearings are done, slowing the fan down is only a temporary solution. But reducing 12v to 7v will definitely slow it down. I don't see why do you need to buy a cable, molex can be easily taken apart and reconfigured. You need a small flat screwdriver at most to push the pins out.

June 1st, 2008, 09:31 AM	#7
the Interceptor Joined: Feb 22nd, 2005 Last Online: 10:07 AM Location: Germany Posts: 1,741 Car: BMW E36 323i superleggera Rep Power: 41	As long as you have one of these Molex cables, making yourself a 12 to 7V is no big deal. You just have to make sure you're making it the right way around, the rest is just swapping ground to 5V.

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