Quiet and modular 800W + PSU?

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skypine27

Gawd
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Apr 18, 2008
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I've had two Ultra X3 Modular PSUs lately. The 1000 watt and the 800 watt. The 1000 watt was gradually getting louder, and i assumed the fan was going bad, or the PSU was going bad (only 6 months old) and heating up internally, causing the fan to spin faster.

So, I replaced it with the X3 800 watt model, to simplify cable installation (all the same modular cables worked obviously).

Anyway, thought it is quiter than my 1000watt model was, it is still not quiet. As soon as you put some heavy load on it, it heats up, and the 135mm intake fan on the bottom really speeds up and makes noise.

Anyone know of a quiet 800 watt or 1000 watt PSU? I know quiet is a relative term, and will mean something different to anyone out there.

Anyone ever try to replace their PSU's fan with a lower DB model? I dont care if it voids the warranty. Frozen CPU is where I usually buy my fans, and they have a ton of 140 mm models that might fit mine:

http://www.frozencpu.com/cat/l3/g36/c15/s61/list/p1/Fans-12_Volt_Fans-140mm_x_20mm_Fans-Page1.html

(No one seems to sell 135mm fans)

Thanks

edit:

Maybe Im just insane, most reviews seem to claim the X3s are quiet!

http://www.overclockercafe.com/Reviews/other_misc/Ultra_X3/pg2.htm
 
I have an Ultra X3 1000Watt PSU and the 135mm fan on mine was also loud. I looked for a 135mm fan and couldn't find one, so I opened up the PSU and unplugged the black connector that controls the fan speed. The fan still works great and I can't hear it at all. Make sure you unplug the correct one since there are two connectors when you open it up. I started up my computer with the PSU sitting on my desk opened up to make sure that I had disconnected the right one. The first time I unplugged the fan by mistake. No big deal. I just turned it off and plugged it back in and unplugged the other one. It worked perfectly. I have been using the PSU for a couple of months and it is rock solid. Hope this helps.
 
I have a Cooler Master 850w Real power pro. It's the quietest PSU I've ever heard. Mine is not modular but the one Anandtech reviewed was.
 
Borocay:

I'm definitely going to try out your suggestion. I'm assuming the black connector is the wire that makes the fan speed up when the PSU gets hot. I wonder what RPM the fan runs at with the wire disconnected, and I wonder if you'll (and me too after I try it) will ever have any overheating problems.

Mickel:

Might try out that Cooler Master if Borocay's tip doesn't help. Also, I looked around AnandTech and could not find a review of the PSU u are talking about. Can u shoot me a link if you happen to see it?

Thanks guys.
 
The fan runs at normal speed all the time now. I have seen no overheating problems and I have been playing Crysis and Bioshock with a 9800GX2. I have played for a couple of hours at a time and it has never crashed or caused me any problems. The fan on the videocard gets loud when it heats up, but the PSU just keeps on rocking. I had a Corsiar HX520 before this one and the fan never went above normal speed even when I was playing games, so I don't see how it would harm this PSU. The fan it still working and pushing air out of the back of the case, just not at an increased rate. So far I haven't seen any adverse effects and I have been busting this PSU's balls for a couple of months now. The fan controller just seems to be too sensitive. I sure wasn't going to throw the PSU away just because the fan got loud so I took it upon myself to find a solution. It has worked great.
 
I have the X3 1000W and have not found the fan to be loud enough to even hear.

Of course, I have my video cards set up to run the fans at 100% once their temps hit > 65C.:D

I have a triple SLi configuration and have found the Ultra to be rock solid.
 
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