can you replace a power supply fan?

[BubbaFreaktree2]

I heard that 80mm Panaflo fans are quiet. Can you simply open up a power supply and swap out the fan?

I'm starting to think you can do this!

[xpine73]

sure u can.
but be careful about the air flow direction.

[fetaost]

Be aware that there most likely are dangerous high voltages inside the psu even when the power cord is removed due to some capacitors. Even the heatsinks can be live! The best thing to do about it is to remove the power cord and then push the computers power-on switch 5-6 times. Good luck!

[BubbaFreaktree2]

i'm glad to hear you can do this and thanks for suggestions about airflow and electrical safety.

i was thinking of just letting the power supply stay off for 24 hours and then opening it up. but clearing the switch a few times could help too.

[hvengel1]

You can find more information at http://www.silentpcreview.com about PSU mods and quite and even silent PSUs. This is probably the best resource on teh web about reducing the noise level of your PC. So check it out.

[jackn2mpu]

Depending on the age of the computer, cycling the power switch won't do anything unless it's a toggle or flip-type switch. Computers with a pushbutton switch need live voltage to turn the machine on; simply cycling the switch on such a machine won't do squat. I know you're not trying to turn the computer on, you're just trying to drain any residual voltage in power supply capacitors. The only safe way to make sure any stored voltage is drained from a cap is to short eithewr or both terminals to chassis ground. Actually, there is another way, but Windows (or a Mac) won't like it: leave the computer on and pull the cord from the wall outlet.
As to the fan swap and having a quiet computer, why not just replace the power supply if you can with one from PC Power and Cooling?

[dawboxpro]

Replace the PSU they are only $50 for a nice silent one. Or be a bubba freak tree and get a silent fan and modify it!

Just for kicks I modified a regular 330W psu with a silent fan of the same size with a lower spin speed. It works perfect but I would only trust that in my personal or office machine. It is going strong on a AMD64 setup now.

so if your cheap, consider that, wire it right & tight though because if you mess it up we are talking fire hazard burn your house down possibilities.

Best of luck to you and all!!!


The smart idea is to just go out and get a nice silent 350W or better that is brand new. You can avoid many issues with a good PSU.

[Boom]

I had a fan go out in a power supply and I just replaced it with an 80mm case fan. It's very easy to do. The new fan seemed to put out more airflow.

[BubbaFreaktree2]

i checked...my particular powersupply has the fan solder-wired to the psu. so i would need to get a new psu.

got other fish to fry right now...