Which fan to swap into S12?

60beetle60 · Post by **60beetle60** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 8:07 pm

Hi, my computer has got to the point where the S12 is now the loudest component and its starting to bug me so I've decided its fan swap time.
I've seen on some threads on here were people have replaced their fan with a nexus but I'm not sure if a nexus would be able to cope during summer when the ambient temp can get up to 40 degreesC. Any one have any idea how a nexus would cope in 40degree heat?

The other option I was thinking of was going with a S-flex because it wasn't a sleeve bearing and should hopefully cope a bit better. But what model? 1600rpm? 1900? Can anyone give some advice on which model would be best? Id like to go the 1200 or 1600 but not sure If the PSU would survive with the lower rpm when summer comes round

Post by **MikeC** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 9:09 pm

It's been done many times by many people: 1600rpm.

JamieG · Post by **JamieG** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 9:19 pm

+1 for 1600rpm S-Flex.

A useful tip if you are wiring the fan to the PSU header: if you can't reach the actual PSU header and have to instead cut the wires coming from the PSU's fan header (like I had to do), don't cut the wires on the fan you buy to solder them to the wires coming from the PSU header.

Instead, buy a 3 pin fan header extension cable and cut this to wire the red and black wires from the extension cable to the same coloured wires coming from the PSU header. Then connect the 3-pin cable from your fan to this. This way, you don't ruin the fan you swap in by cutting its cables.

(Hope that makes sense...)

josephclemente · Post by **josephclemente** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 9:30 pm

I've been running a Slipstream 1200 in my M12II-430 for almost a year and a half now. I'm using a fan header extension cable too, and have the RPM wire connected to my motherboard. Right now it is spinning at 635 RPM.

kater · Post by **kater** » Tue Sep 01, 2009 12:01 am

I recently gave/sold my S12 430W to a friend, but when I had it I used to run a 1400 Fander in it, connected to a manual operated front panel. The fan did ca 550-600 rpm in idle, and when I stressed the system (games, benching, stability testing for OC) I simply cranked it up to some 10V and kept the PSU cool even in summer, even with up to 300W wall load. The inside cover would get v warm (not hot though) and the PSU never showed any sign of wear or trouble.

I say 1600 rpm is very safe.

60beetle60 · Post by **60beetle60** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 5:42 am

cheers guys, i guess a 1600 it is

tehfire · Post by **tehfire** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 9:56 am

josephclemente wrote:I've been running a Slipstream 1200 in my M12II-430 for almost a year and a half now. I'm using a fan header extension cable too, and have the RPM wire connected to my motherboard. Right now it is spinning at 635 RPM.

Sorry for the hijack, but I have an S12II-430 powering my Core i7 system, and I've been trying to decide whether to go with the 1200rpm or the 1600rpm S-Flex. My system draws about 355W DC during load (~430W AC, measured with a Kill-A-Watt), and the stock fan definitely ramps up big time. Does anybody think I could get away with using a 1200rpm S-Flex? Or should I get a 1600?

According to the old 120mm article, the 1200rpm's starting voltage is around 4.8v IIRC, and the S12II's starting voltage is a little lower than this (according to a thread that I can't locate right now). That's putting me off the 1200rpm, plus I'm not sure if it would be able to cool sufficiently. FWIW, the air coming out the Power Supply is pretty cool.

This would be in a P183, by the way. So, 1200rpm or 1600rpm? And if the 1600rpm, is it gonna ramp up to the same level as the stock fan? Because the turbulence noise itself is loud enough, not to mention the bearing noise...

Post by **MikeC** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 10:15 am

tehfire wrote:Sorry for the hijack, but I have an S12II-430 powering my Core i7 system, and I've been trying to decide whether to go with the 1200rpm or the 1600rpm S-Flex. My system draws about 355W DC during load (~430W AC, measured with a Kill-A-Watt), and the stock fan definitely ramps up big time. Does anybody think I could get away with using a 1200rpm S-Flex? Or should I get a 1600?

According to the old 120mm article, the 1200rpm's starting voltage is around 4.8v IIRC, and the S12II's starting voltage is a little lower than this (according to a thread that I can't locate right now). That's putting me off the 1200rpm, plus I'm not sure if it would be able to cool sufficiently. FWIW, the air coming out the Power Supply is pretty cool.

This would be in a P183, by the way. So, 1200rpm or 1600rpm? And if the 1600rpm, is it gonna ramp up to the same level as the stock fan? Because the turbulence noise itself is loud enough, not to mention the bearing noise...

The original Adda fan in the S12II is rated for 2050rpm at 12V. Which means the 1600rpm s-flex will not run as fast or noisy throughout the range. It will still ramp up, but less than now.

tehfire · Post by **tehfire** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 2:24 pm

Alright. Thanks, Mike. If ever I visit Vancouver, I owe you a beer or something