12V to 7V mod, success!

C

Compuwiz

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jun 16, 2003
Messages
277
First off, when I had my external USB linksys wireless 54G adapter, my cpu temps were at like 47°C. When I replaced that with a PCI card, it dropped to 37, much better.

I ordered my 12V to 7V power adapters, got them, installed them, hooked them up to my fans...and oh boy, what a difference! My case is QUIET now! Before it used to sound like a jet, now its extremely quiet (without getting expensive papst fans that dont haev good CFM also) Hurray! I ordered two 12V to 7V adapters one for front intake fans, and one for rear exhaust fans. I turned on comp and temp was at about 43°C or so.

My front fans were the loud ones, but they pump air like none other, very fast...my rear fans were quiet to begin with, so when I applied the 7V adapter, obviously they slowed down and were silent, but didnt push much air at all (thermisistor fans). So when I took the 7V adapter from my exhaust fans to speed them up, there was no difference in noise, and my comp did infact drop a couple degrees.

I strongly suggest this mod to anyone out there with a loud machine. Even if you have cheap, loud, fast fans, this mod significantly reduces the noise! Instead of replacing my fans with Papst 12dba fans at $12/each, I got this adapter and saved me around 60 dollars (5 fans = 2 intake, 1 side, 2 exhaust). Definatly try it out.

I am still using the 420W Raidmax power supply that came with my comp, do you think I should replace that with a 120mm power supply, or is it not needed? I know that obviously one big 120mm fan would take more hot air out of my case than two small crappy 80mm fans.

When I ordered my adapters, I got one power Y cable to split, and two 12V to 7V adapters. I didnt need my Y cable or my 2nd 7v adapter, if anyone is interested in this mod, or wants either, let me know and Ill sell em to ya. PM me.
 
I would ditch the raidmax for a namebrand PSU.

You could have done it in 10 minutes for free with a soldering iron, too.
 
cool that it works so well. I have been wanting to order some of those to see how well it works. I want to order at least one, then I will attempt to do it myself. I am a super noob with a solder stick.

For the PSU. You should look into the Tagen 480W, I have it and it is super quiet. The only time the back fan kicks in is when I am Folding for more than a half hour. Other than that, the front PSU fan is all that is running and it is quiet. The power is super stable too. Look into it, I believe the Egg has them in. Not too spendy either.

I am most looking forward to trying the 7v mod on a Panaflo 120mm fan that I have....it moves a TON of air...a TON....as in make sure your hair piece is tied down before walking in front of it! Noisey big bugger though. So the adapter is going on that first to see what it does. :D
 
you need a soldering iron for that? I thought you could just pull the wires from the molex connecter, and switch em.
 
How is that mod done, and can it harm power supply??

My computer is a jet, cant sleep!!!

OldMX
 
no it won't hurt your power supply. :p seriously. It's just a resistor in line, or you can run the 5v rail (same as a wire) to the fan's ground pin and 12v rail to the fan's positive pin.
 
I just run my fans at 7v or 5v by switching some wires, and some non electrician approved wiring.
 
GlobalFear said:
USB using more cpu power than a pci slot. Thus generating more heat.
Click to expand...

Thanks dude.

So, it's just heat from the CPU working... What if you use a PCI USB card to run the WiFi adapter? How about that?
 
GlobalFear said:
USB using more cpu power than a pci slot. Thus generating more heat.
Click to expand...

exactly. as soon as I put in my PCI card, it was a huge decrease in power, and my box performed much faster (online and overall) because the CPU has that much more resources available instead of dedicating so much power and such to USB.

and yes, I know I could have done this mod for free, but I do not have a soldering gun, or any experience for that matter. A couple dollars for a pre-made adapter has nothing on me.

I was looking at this power supply:
400 Watt Quiet Nexus PS

Any input? Also, do they make PSs with 140mm's?? Also, would I have a problem with a drop of 20W from my 420 to 400?...I did the power calculator on a couple of sites and I think it said I use 380W or so, give or take a few...dont remember actual score. But I also want enough power for future upgrades.
 
Compuwiz said:
I ordered my 12V to 7V power adapters.
Click to expand...

Perhaps I missed something really important, but where did you order them from?

That's for those of us who are not electronics wiz's.
 
Most companies sell at most a PSU with 120mm fans. The only 140mm based units I know of are the ones made by TTGI, and sold under the TTGI, SuperFlower, or Link Depot brand names. It seems NewEgg still carries the Link Depot line in 450w and 550w versions. Also, Directron used to carry the SF line, but I'm not sure of they still do or not. As does Xoxide...Perhaps others.

I almost got one of these, but caved into the pressure of a proven PSU in the 530w Fortron, although I haven't ever really seen anything bad about the TTGI units. I could be wrong (and probably am here), but with a huge LED lit fan, and most casings mirror/colored (read: flashy), in the $60-90 range, they could be using components of a lower quality than Fortron. Of course it could just be FSP (& retailers) jacking up the price on their stuff b/c it's popular - who knows?

/disclaimer - Still kinda waking up, haven't consumed enough coffee yet, so tend to ramble/could be wrong re: 140mm PSU makers :).

[edit] Seems Directron does, but none of the 14cm models in stock, and can't remember the last time I actually did see they had any. And Xoxide has the 450w/550w modular versions only.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top