PSU fan removal/silencing

[Bezzaboy123]

Hi guys,

So got a new case for my small HTPC build, Its running this spec below:

[font=Verdana, sans-serif, FreeSans]AMD Athlon II X3 460 (underclocked to 3GHZ)[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif, FreeSans]Asus M4N68T V2 M-ATX[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif, FreeSans]4GB DDR3 1600MHZ G.Skill RAM [/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif, FreeSans]1 x 128GB Crucial SSD[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif, FreeSans]2 x 2TB WD Green's[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif, FreeSans]My problem is the PSU that came with the case is this:[/font]

http://www.envizage.com/products/psucit300micro-cit-300w-micro-atx-psu-power-supply.html

its M-ATX which is making it really hard to find replacements, I have had suggestions given to me but a 300/450W M-ATX psu costs more than most 5/600 watt modular ATX power supplies, I know that PSU's are important but seeing as this is just a build of recycled parts its not that imperitive I pick a decent branded PSU, this 300W is fine for what it is,

But it is so damn loud!,

My question is, would it not be better just to replace the fan? is it the PSU that is causing the fan to spin at such high RPM? if I remove the Hard drives nothing changes and if I put the PC under load the fan still spins at the same speed which leads me to believe It wouldn't be such a bad idea putting a 80mm noctua or the likes in it and controlling the fan with the onboard fan headers?

What are you're thoughts people?

thanks!

PSU that came with the case

 

[Bezzaboy123]

Just did some googling, would it be a good idea to maybe get one of these?

http://specialtech.co.uk/spshop/customer/Zalman-RC100-5V-Noiseless-Resistor-Cable-pid-5394.html

I know the fan will be a 2 pin in the PSU but the white wire isn't needed to get the fan to spin so by putting this between the fan and the PSU it should slow it down right?

 

[Pr3d4t0r]

just get a hybrid psu, they arent too expensive and under low load they are silent as fans dont even spin.

 

[Bezzaboy123]

the case only fits Micro ATX PSU's or SFX form factor PSU's.

There are literally 2 on the market, the BeQuiet 300 W at about £50 and the Silverstone strider 450 at £70.

300W for £30 or less isn't alot to ask for is it really?

 

[Bezzaboy123]

Well i've swapped out the standard 80mm fan for a slightly better one with a 3 pin connector coming out of the PSU and going into the 3 pin motherboard header which has signifcantly helped, I have also turned the PSU so the fan is facing inside and not sucking air through the tiny holes making loads of noise.

For now its a slight fix, but it can be improved upon a whole lot more.

 

[Bezzaboy123]

Bought the BeQuiet because I had had enough, It is brilliant, managed to get it for £38 and its perfect, whisper silent and seems to powering everything fine