DIY Computer Fan Cooling Repair/Mod

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Keeping you files cool get's difficult when the neat color-lighted fan finally goes to graveyard.

When there is nothing else wrong with the cabinet but the fan died, or if you want to add more cool to the CPU box, try this simple mod.
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Step 1: Stuff You'll Need for this.

Tools

Whenever you buy any tool get the best you can afford and take care of it and it will not let you down. When buying, remember to check that it is the right type of tool required for the task.

Nibbler - I've only ever found these nibblers with a square "bite". Round and pointed triangle would be so useful. Luckily all we need here is the square. Cost is about $8-10cdn.

Screwdriver - To match screws heads.

Parts

12Vdc CPU Case Fan - You might want to get a computer case fan that comes with cables to tap into the drive power plugs. Best yet scrounge one from the computer parts dump, junk store, curb-side pickup on garbage day.

I had a CPU fan sitting in the shop so I just used it. It's a DFS122512L-PWM Kama PWM 12cm Fan; 1200rpm with only ~24.89bBA; but it does blow 52.71CFM; Sleeve Bearings with an MTBF of 30,000 hours. The connector is a 4-pin PWM (4-pin peripheral adapter included)

*Note: When 4-pin peripheral adapter is used or connected to 3-pin, the PWM function will not work. In order to take the advantage of PWM function, please use this fan with PWM function ready motherboard.

Finger guard - This is dependent on your "rug rats" status. Fans just love the taste of fresh fingertips for some reason and the screaming is just so darn anoying. If you have kids and/or pets use a real finger guard. 'Course it does mean one less learning oportunity for them, hmmmm.

Screws - Two options of sizes here, see Step 4

sebgonz says: Nov 24, 2010. 2:09 PM

Nice job. Been thinking of doing this for a while to cool down my pc. Gonna have to get to it.

Simpson_jr says: Oct 27, 2010. 3:01 PM

Doesn't that "filter" reduce your cfm-rate enormously ? I guess it also will be filled with dust in no time. When cooling air needs to travel as fast as possible !
Never reduce it. When, in time, dust reduces the cfm-rate close to zero, this setup might even add heat instead of remove it... It looks funny on the side, but I'd replace that piece of cloth with a 1-2$ grill.

Lhtrf says: Sep 26, 2010. 12:01 PM

another tip, to save time looking for arrow, or in case your eyes get bad and you can read it hardly, or there isnt any on the fan, all (if not all, probably 90%+) fans blow air in the direction that the motor is (that is, where wire comes out of, or where you would put oil for fan)

Lhtrf says: Sep 26, 2010. 11:57 AM

you could also use a hole saw, if you have one.

ben_k says: Feb 28, 2009. 5:17 PM

If I were you, I would have attached the fan to the inside of the case, instead of the outside, so you do not have a fan sticking out. This would also make this more visually appealing.

Lhtrf says: Sep 26, 2010. 11:55 AM

that depends on whose looking, i, for example, have put a fan on the side outside, with a grill on it, and on the front, over the optical drive on outside, again, with a grill, it looks better to me, it break the simple box form that most cases have.