My quest to make my Dell 4600 quieter

[Parn]

My Dell Dimension 4600 (trust me... I've built computers on my own since I was 16..., but I bought this dell because they sold a $3000 system to me for $1000, and now there's a lot of "annoyances" with it) has this 92mm fan that is thermal sensing and RPM controlled by the temp. At full capacity, it does 115CFM, and sounds like a hand vac. It has been hotter in CA these days, so I am feeling the full effect of it.

So I figured, I can just change the fan, but having a 3.2ghz with HT, I didn't want to just replace with a weaker fan and risk overheating. The 4600 has a duct like apparatus that is connected to the case fan (the loud fan I'm talking about), and no direct fan on the heatsink. The fan also has a clip customly made for the duct Dell puts in there.

I figured the easiest way to go would be to replace the case fan, and add a CPU fan on the heatsink. However, the heatsink has no mechanism to hold any kind of fan in place. No screw holes, no clips, etc (obviously cuz it's not designed for that).

So then the next thing I'm thinking is... do I need to replace my heatsink? So then I inspect the Dell mobo a little bit... there are no mounting holes for heatsinks. Ok. There are custom clips that holds the duct in place on the heatsink base also. What I can't be sure of, is whether the cpu sockes even has the standard clips to clip on a heatsink.

So then let's say there are no clips for the heatsink... then what do I do? Do I replace the motherboard? Then I think... why didn't I just build my computer....

I AM, however, very happy with the 2001FP that came with the system.

Does anyone have experience with anything like this?

 

[SneakyStuff]

Watch out, Dell fans use a proprietary connector for the mobo, I tried to replace my old Dimension 4500's fan, only to find that the 3 pin connector on the mobo was totally unique And if you don't plug anything into that, the system doesnt boot.

 

[Parn]

Yeah, I saw that it uses a different connector. I will just go to fry's or something and get a connector like that and attach it to my new fan's wires. I believe it's the RPM sensing (the lack of) that keeps the system from booting.

 

[SneakyStuff]

Well, my dimension 4500 used a 92mm temp. controlled fan too, I know what you mean, they can be loud.

 

[Navid]

Do you have a picture of how the CPU is mounted?
Would this not work?
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=35-118-108&depa=0
from Zalman
http://www.zalmantech.com/

Edit:
It does not need holes in the motherboard.

 

[Navid]

If the CNPS cannot be mounted, you can consider this too.
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=35-118-204&depa=0

It mounts on the PCI/AGP slot connector holes (directly to the case, not the motherboard).
You can leave your heatsink. But, use this to blow air into it. The fan mounts on this braket. The braket is flexible. So, the vibration of the fan is not amplified by the case (low noise). You can even install a bigger fan on it. Since this places the fan much closer to your heatsink than your current case fan, the fan can run at a lower RPM and still cool it down.

 

[Parn]

I decided to give tech support a try, and they want to send a technician out to replace the "malfunctioning" fan. I sent them a reply asking whether they will just replace the fan with the same fan, or do something to keep it quieter.

 

[Granorense]

Originally posted by: SneakyStuff
Watch out, Dell fans use a proprietary connector for the mobo, I tried to replace my old Dimension 4500's fan, only to find that the 3 pin connector on the mobo was totally unique And if you don't plug anything into that, the system doesnt boot.

I just opened up one of those systems yesterday and noticed that they had replaced its cpu/case fan, and since the connector on the mb is not standard, they cut they cut off the wires of the old fan and used them for the new fan. If you think about it, there is no need to do that. Just prime out the black connector on the mother board and you will have the bare pins to connect a standard fan. As simple as Dell!

 

[Parn]

The replacement is supposed to come today. I will see how much quieter things run after they replace the fan. I am not too hopeful, because when I talked to the technician that is coming out, he said it is exactly the same fan.

 

[Parn]

The replacement came today, and they changed the Datech fan to a Nidec BetaV TA350DC. It doesn't sound any quieter to me...

 

[Parn]

This fan blows out 130CFM max. It is actually LOUDER than the fan they replaced with it. I am so frustrated...:|

 

[Parn]

Ok, now that I've had a little more time to play with my computer, it does sound a little quieter. It's actually tolerable now.

I think my next step will be to replace the Radeon 9800 pro stock HSF to a VGA Silencer to vent out heat created by the 9800 out without having to have it go past the CPU HS. I think it will help a lot, both on noise from the stock HSF and by reducing temp of the air inside.

 

[MrK6]

The VGA silencer will help alot, but what will help even more is getting air intake into the case. I had the same problem with my 8200, although my 92mm in the back wasn't as loud as your describing (I was also running a 1.9Ghz P4, not a 3.2 ). Here's a couple of mods I did to see what worked the best:

Slot Blower Mod

60mm on the heatsink

The blower configuration worked the best for me. After I reserved the Dell as just being a folding machine, I even took out the 80mm stealth I had on the side and back case fan is still silent. The 60mm configuration worked well too, but it wasn't as silent and it drew alot of dust into the case. I think if you put a 92mm stealth fan on the side, the blower in one of the drive bays, and a VGA silencer on your 9800Pro, you'll see a big difference. No air intake kills a system.

The blower mod is pretty easy to make and it's silent. Just buy a slot blower and cut a slot into one of your spare drive bays that's equal with the heatsink. Slip in the blower and electric tape the hell out of it. Run the wires through the hole to the molex connectors too. Then cover it with the end of a stocking or some other kind of filtration device and you're good to go. Remember to clean the "filter" once a week. :thumbsup:

 

[mattozan]

I just got a 4600 and want to get this fan outta here too! Has anyone had any success in adapting a standard fan to the Dell-only mobo connector?

 

[Parn]

Just prime out the black connector on the mother board and you will have the bare pins to connect a standard fan. As simple as Dell!

I vote for this method. Right now, my fan is quiet enough (getting cooler around here), so I don't have a huge desire to switch out fans right now. But if I were to, rather than fiddling with the wires, I would take off the bracket on the motherboard to expose the bare pins.

 

[Greg04]

You guys have me scared - I just bought a 4600 3.2g and would like to sell my old 8250. Is the 4600 gonna be much louder? Does anyone have both so that they can commnet on this?
thanks

 

[mattozan]

My fan is calming down now that it is cooler, too. I'll probably forget about it until next summer.

Greg04- I don't know how loud or quiet your 8250 was for comparison, but the 4600 is seriously noticable in its cooling noise. The fan RPM varies (by temp sensor, or CPU usage?) so when it is at low RPM it's not that bad. But at high RPM it really sounds like it's going to take off. If you are watching a DVD or something, forget it! Very annoying!

 

[Greg04]

Originally posted by: mattozan
My fan is calming down now that it is cooler, too. I'll probably forget about it until next summer.

Greg04- I don't know how loud or quiet your 8250 was for comparison, but the 4600 is seriously noticable in its cooling noise. The fan RPM varies (by temp sensor, or CPU usage?) so when it is at low RPM it's not that bad. But at high RPM it really sounds like it's going to take off. If you are watching a DVD or something, forget it! Very annoying!

Thanks - I'll unpack it and then see if theincrease in speed (2.4 to 3.2HT) is worth the noise. I doubt it will be and then I'll just send it packing back to Dell.

 

[Tiamat]

I know this is probably a long shot, but have you dusted out the cpu heatsink and psu lately? I find that if either of these 2 get dusty, temps rise.

 

[Greg04]

Holy crap! Anticipating some buyer's remorse, I emailed dell to cancel my order. They offered me $150 in an online credit to not cancel. I took it.

Here's my setup --- $799 for the computer and LCD (which ebays for ~$200) - $150 rebate, minus the $200 for the LCD minus the $150 gift certificate = $299 for the 3.2ghz 4600. Not too horrible. THANKS! Buyer's remorse turned around

 

[Greg04]

Well, the machine is in, minus all my rebates, I don't hear what the fuss was about. The fan almost never kicks into high speed, but even when it does it is barely louder than my 8250 at high speed.

I did however use that double sided sticky foam tape to quiet the hard drives almost completely. The problem is that the damn thing are tied into the two cages with bare metal on metal. I put about 10 contact point tabs about 1/2" each on the cages and wherever the cages met the case. The foam compresses just enought to be a great sound insulator, and elimnates the need for any extra work. Note: Only remove one side of the tape covering - the slippery covering makes installation easy.

In bout 10 minutes I cut the whine HD whine ( I have two WD800's) and nearly all the seek noise. All for about a quarter.

 

[AMEXplat]

Originally posted by: Greg04
I did however use that double sided sticky foam tape to quiet the hard drives almost completely. The problem is that the damn thing are tied into the two cages with bare metal on metal. I put about 10 contact point tabs about 1/2" each on the cages and wherever the cages met the case. The foam compresses just enought to be a great sound insulator, and elimnates the need for any extra work. Note: Only remove one side of the tape covering - the slippery covering makes installation easy.

How thick is the double-side tape and how big was each tab/strip? Can you suggest where I can get this tape?

TIA

 

[Greg04]

You can pick the tape up at any staples -- try this:

http://www.staples.com/Catalog...eType=1&Sku=130450

 

[Parn]

After installing the VGA silencer, the new fan, and the temp coming down in the area, the fan is very quiet at idle, and starts to be a little louder during load. However, it's at a noise level I can handle. I will not bother with it until it gets hotter, by which time I will probably upgrade anyways.

I have never been bothered by sounds of the HD. 250GB SATA drive.