StarDestroyer.Net BBS

I have a side fan on my computer case that I want to change from outake into intake. How do I do that?

Remove the screws. Flip it around. Reattach using the mount points on other side. Done.

Shinova wrote:I have a side fan on my computer case that I want to change from outake into intake. How do I do that?

Open the Power supply, locate the cables that carry the current to the fan, reverse the polarity (just detach all cables for that connector, connect the positive cables where the negative once were and vice versa) close the power supply, done.

You don’t want to connect anything else but the fan to the modded connector. There's a risk of shock and your warranty will probably be voided.

Shogoki wrote:

Shinova wrote:I have a side fan on my computer case that I want to change from outake into intake. How do I do that?

Open the Power supply, locate the cables that carry the current to the fan, reverse the polarity (just detach all cables for that connector, connect the positive cables where the negative once were and vice versa) close the power supply, done.

You don’t want to connect anything else but the fan to the modded connector. There's a risk of shock and your warranty will probably be voided.

If using this method unplug the comp and hold down the power button for a few minutes then let it sit for an hour or two to remove all voltage that may be present.

Shogoki wrote:You don’t want to connect anything else but the fan to the modded connector. There's a risk of shock and your warranty will probably be voided.

That, and you'll fry whatever is connected to that line as well as the power supply.

Just turn the sucker around. MUCH safer, and if its one of those fans that only have mountings on one side (like most fans in power supplies) then just use long screws with nuts on the end.

Shogoki wrote:

Shinova wrote:I have a side fan on my computer case that I want to change from outake into intake. How do I do that?

Open the Power supply, locate the cables that carry the current to the fan, reverse the polarity (just detach all cables for that connector, connect the positive cables where the negative once were and vice versa) close the power supply, done.

You don’t want to connect anything else but the fan to the modded connector. There's a risk of shock and your warranty will probably be voided.

Reverse the Polarity? What is this, Star Trek?

Shin, just take Vert and DD's advice. No opening up high-energy components, just a quick, simple, safe, and practical solution.

While you're at it, you may want to invest in some fan filters, clean up the dust in the comp, and check all your cable connections for damage and looseness. HTH

True, and it's not the power supply fan I want turning around but a regular side fan.

darthdavid wrote:Remove the screws. Flip it around. Reattach using the mount points on other side. Done.

We have a winner, ladies and gentlemen!

You want a fan to push air the other way, you turn it around, or failing that reverse the blades. Not that hard.

DO NOT reverse the polarity on the connector. Bad things can happen if you do that.

Just flip the fan. However, you should determine if the additional airflow in will help versus the loss in airflow out.

Oh, come on, i was being sarcastic. The answer is too straight forward, had to go the Star Trek way. And i was refering to the side fan, not the power supply's. At least darth david got it, i think.

Oh, and you are better off leaving it taking the hot air out, it justs works better that way, and you get less dust on your components.

Shogoki wrote:Oh, come on, i was being sarcastic. The answer is too straight forward, had to go the Star Trek way. And i was refering to the side fan, not the power supply's. At least darth david got it, i think.

I actually though you were referring to the fan, not the PSU.

Oh, and you are better off leaving it taking the hot air out, it justs works better that way, and you get less dust on your components.

Actually, the best way is to have airflow in > airflow out. Dust tends to get blown out that way; when you have airflow out > airflow in then dust tends to get sucked in more.

After turning the fan around, playing UT2004 for a few minutes, and reaching a CPU temp of 90 degrees celsius, I have formally decided to turn my fan back around to where it was.


But I really need to get a better cpu fan for a more permanent solution. My CPUs been's regularly hitting temps of 70C, sometimes even 85. (It's been one tough cookie so far)


Right now my computer has one side fan and the one rear PSU fan. There are also some little holes on the other side of the case, the side where the motherboard resides. Should I have that side fan as intake or should I change it back to outake?

Put the CPU inside a mini-fridge. Cut holes in the door for the wires.

Look into purchasing a more efficient heatsink/fan for your CPU. I have a Jet7 on my Athlon and it hasn't gone above 47C or so in a while. Make sure you get some decent thermal paste as well, like Arctic Silver. And a friend who knows what he's doing better than I

It sounds like not only are you using the retail heatsink, but it isn't making good contact with the CPU die (either from poor mounting or more likely crappy/insufficient thermal grease).

If you want my suggestion, get yourself a new heatsink (The Coolemaster TMD's are nice), get a tube of Arctic Silver (or Arctic Aluminium if you want to be really cheap) and you should see your temps go down to < 50C.

Try this website for all your cooling needs.

Zalman makes good coolers as well and they typically are quieter than most.

Shinova wrote:But I really need to get a better cpu fan for a more permanent solution. My CPUs been's regularly hitting temps of 70C, sometimes even 85. (It's been one tough cookie so far)

Guess who is using an Intel processor.

ggs wrote:

Shinova wrote:But I really need to get a better cpu fan for a more permanent solution. My CPUs been's regularly hitting temps of 70C, sometimes even 85. (It's been one tough cookie so far)

Guess who is using an Intel processor.

I am and my CPU and system temp. never go above 38C.