.

[ahlknysvgmwso]

.

 

[ReDgUaRd008]

Ya removing the grill will make it more silence because the air wont be crashing into anything. Im not sure about covering up the edge's but im pretty sure your not going to stick your finger near a spinning fan.

 

[Skaterpunk]

spinning fans and me dont get along so i just leave mine on

 

[synaps3]

Do it, of course. That is always the first thing I do when I get a case. When you cut them, just use a metal file to smooth out the stupid sharpened edges. Get one of these: http://www.svc.com/finguargril.html if it is on the outside.

 

[Asian Dub Foundation]

definetly do it... noise level AND temps will drop a bit

 

[synaps3]

You might need a new fan then. I would at least file down those edges...

 

[gud4u]

The potential gains for removing case fan grills are:
- Reduced noise by reducing air-turbulence (seldom effective).
- Increased air flow for better case ventilation (often effective).

Next step for quieting fans would be:
- Select fans with best combination of flow-rate and minimal noise, or;
- Voltage-control fan RPM for best combination of flow and noise.
- Vibration-isolate the fans by replacing screws with rubber fasteners.

I'm using two Panaflo M1A 120mm fans at 7V with about 50CFM flow rate. Not totally inaudible, but very good combination of flow rate and low noise.

Hope this helps!

 

[matt00926]

I just did it to mine 120mm exhaust, my fan is on 5v so you cant even feel air leaving the case lol. At 12v it pushed a shitload of air though, but its sooo loud.

 

[Mr. Baz]

Could I "grease" the fan somehow to make it whine less?

ValeX

Do NOT use grease. On the back of the fan, there is usually a sticker or label. Peel this off and you'll either see a little rubber 'thing' that covers a really small hole, or you'll just simply see the hole..
Use 3in1 oil (AKA sewing machine oil). Anything else is TOO THICK. Put ONE drop in the hole (capillary effect will pull the oil through the small spaces to where it needs to go) and rotate the fan a bit to make sure it gets distributed good. Then whipe the excess off and put the sticker back on. Done.

 

[Mohonri]

Then whipe the excess off and put the sticker back on. Done.

I've done this myself, too. Just make sure you get the oil in the hole and nowhere else. Especially on the sticker or the plastic it sticks to--once the oil's on the sticker, you might as well throw it away, because it won't stick back onto the fan.

 

[acaurora]

You also have to understand these things are mass produced, and therefore quality control isn't at it's greatest. Also, the dBA ratings on those fans are always wrong, they are never accurate. If you want a quiet 80mm, go with a Panaflo L1A. For a 120mm, get a Nexus Real Silent Case Fan. As for fixing up the 'nekkid' cuts that you made, you can go to Home Depot and get some U-Channel molding. That should do the trick. If not, I just use electrician's tape. Thick, holds well. Or of course just slap on a wire grille

 

[cyks]

3. The blades of the fan are held to the main frame via a magnet.
5. Taking the fan completely apart and putting it back together makes it sound terrible....it's reallllyyy loose right now. heh.

lol, what did you do to that poor fan?

 

[acaurora]

So what's my game-plan? Visit a quality computer shop and buy some super silent fans, no matter the cost, that have a nice balance between airflow and silence. I will file down the edges on my now ghetto-tacular case so it looks a little better, and i'll pick up a silver guard for it.....should turn out ok after all........Hoorah!

Like I said, get some Panaflo L1As, make sure they are 'Made in Japan', for 80mm. Nexus 12CM Real Silent Case fan for 120mms. Those are the best

 

[bob]

Ok, so I found some 3 in 1 oil...

Took off the sticker - turns out it was a crappy piece of paper glued to the fan, with a clear sticker over top of it, looks like that sucker ain't goin back on....

I see a small clear plastic/rubber ring around what looks like a ball bearing...I thought this was the place to do it, so I put in a single drop of oil....it's not really soaking in though, I think this may have been the "rubber THING" you were talking about earlier....how should I go about removing and replacing this "thing" to properly lube it up ?

Well what I did may be considered blasphemy to some people here, but I mixed up some ether and 30w motor oil, and poured it between the fan propeller and the motor. Why? Ether is about as runny as anything will get, and it will dilute down the motor oil. The whole mess runs into the fan, gets into every area. Ether evaporates quickly, and leaves behind the oil. Plus ether smells cool (just kidding).