External Powered Fan Controller?

Discussion in 'PC Hardware' started by DeathStalker77, Sep 5, 2018.

  1. DeathStalker77

    DeathStalker77 MDL Senior Member

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    Hello all!

    I have a Dell AIO unit that gets *extremely* hot with the stock cooling (and as it uses notebook components, no way to upgrade anything. One alternative is to add some 120mm fans to the back panel, but I would need to connect them to an external power supply.

    Anyone have any ideas on this? there are PLENTY of controllers out there that go to fan controllers on the mobo, but this mobo does not have that option, so it would need to be a completely independent unit.

    Thanks much!!! :)
     
  2. Joe C

    Joe C MDL Guru

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    #2 Joe C, Sep 5, 2018
    Last edited: Sep 5, 2018
  3. DeathStalker77

    DeathStalker77 MDL Senior Member

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  4. Joe C

    Joe C MDL Guru

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  5. DeathStalker77

    DeathStalker77 MDL Senior Member

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    But *where* inside would I tap the power supply without splicing into it? FWIW, this is a Dell XPS2720 AIO. No problem getting the fans and grills, just concerned about where/HOW to get the power :)
     
  6. DeathStalker77

    DeathStalker77 MDL Senior Member

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    LOL! What I thought was the video card (left side, viewed from the back) is actually the power supply!) No wonder there is no swapping out, or enhancing the cooling of the actual video card - it's just a chip on the mobo!
     
  7. DeathStalker77

    DeathStalker77 MDL Senior Member

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    Oh, since I'm not overly concerned about the look of the back of it, I don't mind having the cables externally exposed. Can't get the Scotch Locks for at least a month :( (not available locally)
     
  8. Joe C

    Joe C MDL Guru

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    yup... checked some specs on that power supply, although it does have a fan cable that psu is only 260 watts. I've read that some are having issues with that psu too, so it would be best not to use it for anything other than what it is intended for
     
  9. DeathStalker77

    DeathStalker77 MDL Senior Member

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    So does anyone have good suggestions on the correct power supply for 2-3 120mm fans? I figure if I'm going to do one on each side, I might as well add another (exhaust) at the top center - I think I would do inflow cooling for the other 2.

    Thanks!
     
  10. DeathStalker77

    DeathStalker77 MDL Senior Member

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  11. Joe C

    Joe C MDL Guru

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  12. DeathStalker77

    DeathStalker77 MDL Senior Member

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  13. DeathStalker77

    DeathStalker77 MDL Senior Member

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    The CoolerGuys PS is rated at 2a, while the other is only 500ma - but as the fans only draw 0.16a (or 160ma) each, 3@480ma should suffice - or am I hedging things too close?
     
  14. DeathStalker77

    DeathStalker77 MDL Senior Member

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  15. Joe C

    Joe C MDL Guru

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  16. DeathStalker77

    DeathStalker77 MDL Senior Member

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    <25db I think is pretty good.
     
  17. Joe C

    Joe C MDL Guru

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    :mushy:
     
  18. Joe C

    Joe C MDL Guru

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    #18 Joe C, Sep 6, 2018
    Last edited: Sep 6, 2018
  19. DeathStalker77

    DeathStalker77 MDL Senior Member

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    First I've ever heard of mmH20 - I've always just gone by CFM & db. ML fans are, by & large, quieter and longer lasting, but more expensive. As these are going to be on the back of the unit, I'm not as concerned about the noise. My own system (which is a MONSTER) has over a dozen 140mm fans going in it, so it is exceedingly loud - it's a CoolerMaster Cosmos II tower(just about the largest tower available). If the noise gets annoying, headphones are available :)
     
  20. DeathStalker77

    DeathStalker77 MDL Senior Member

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    Well the fans turned out to be TOTALLY silent - running the straight from the power supply - unfortunately they didn't make a dent in the the GPU temps of the system (AIO unit with a GT 750M) - still pegging at 90c+. :(