[EnVoy]

So I didn't do Apple's fan replacement program when it was available, and I'm kicking myself now. The fan noise has been driving me crazy lately. What can I do about it?

Anyone know of a good, quiet, hopefully inexpensive fan replacement part?

[Waragainstsleep]

They don't cost that much (though it is alot for a fan) from Apple. You could probably get something suitable from Panaflo or one of the other big aftermarket fan makers.
If you want something more specific, use google to search for G4 cooling mods:

http://www.google.com/mac.html

[Waragainstsleep]

They don't cost that much (though it is alot for a fan) from Apple. You could probably get something suitable from Panaflo or one of the other big aftermarket fan makers.
If you want something more specific, use google to search for G4 cooling mods:

http://www.google.com/mac.html

[EnVoy]

Originally Posted by Waragainstsleep

They don't cost that much (though it is alot for a fan) from Apple. You could probably get something suitable from Panaflo or one of the other big aftermarket fan makers.
If you want something more specific, use google to search for G4 cooling mods:

http://www.google.com/mac.html

Do you have a link to the Apple fan? I dont see it anywhere.

[Waragainstsleep]

I'm looking at Apple's parts prices. You should be able to get a price from an Apple warranty repair centre.

[DrBoar]

There is nothing special about the Apple fans apart from using 2 pin connector rather then 3 or 4 pin. I am replaced that horrible 120mm fan on dual 1.25. The new slower one is unregulated and run at max speed all the time (using a 4 pin connector). Way quiter than the original fan runnning regulated. CPU temp is still below 60 C despite running Folding@home 24/7 (100% CPU load for months).

If you are unsure about wich fan is making the noise. Open the case with the computer off or "sleeping" put a finger on a fan and start the computer. With everything booted release the fan and listen for the difference. Repeat this until you are sure what fan to replace first.

Panflo, Pabst and Nexus all make good fans most are well below 20 dollars each.

[EnVoy]

Originally Posted by DrBoar

There is nothing special about the Apple fans apart from using 2 pin connector rather then 3 or 4 pin. I am replaced that horrible 120mm fan on dual 1.25. The new slower one is unregulated and run at max speed all the time (using a 4 pin connector). Way quiter than the original fan runnning regulated. CPU temp is still below 60 C despite running Folding@home 24/7 (100% CPU load for months).

If you are unsure about wich fan is making the noise. Open the case with the computer off or "sleeping" put a finger on a fan and start the computer. With everything booted release the fan and listen for the difference. Repeat this until you are sure what fan to replace first.

Panflo, Pabst and Nexus all make good fans most are well below 20 dollars each.

Thanks DRBoar. Is there any specific spec I need to look for in a new fan for my Mac? Or just that it needs to be 120mm, 4pin, unregulated? Got a link?

Thanks

[DrBoar]

Most 120 mm fans are 25mm deep but the Apple one is 38mm so a 38mm fan is a easy dropin replacement and probably a more efficent. A 25 mm fan will need some wedges or somthing to make them stay put.

The original windtunnel fan is rated at 3700 rpm and that is very high for a 120mm fan. Apple has to have cooling available for the worst case. Warm room 4 harddisk, 2 optical drives and full CPU load. I have one HD one optical drive and a room temp of 20 C so even with full CPU load 1500 rpm is plenty.

http://www.pctoys.com/120.html panaflo low or medium speed fans should be excellent

[Tuoder]

It would be somewhat easy to just install a 99 cent radio shack potentiometer inline with the fan. I would get a 5k-ohm one. All you would have to do is open the case, cut the wire (either one), and solder each of the newly-cut ends to the middle and end contact (either end, but not both ends, one must be in the middle) on the potentiometer. Fire up the computer and twist your newly installed knob until you are happy with it. I would then test the CPU temperature under load to make sure that everything is kosher. If it is running hot, just turn it up a bit and test it again.

This assumes that you already have a soldering iron and solder that you are not queasy about using, and that you are at least half as cheap as I am.