How to Install a Desktop Computer Fan
Check your case specifications., Look at your case., Pick larger fans, if you have an option., Compare different fans., Choose between LED or standard., Make sure that you're choosing fans with the right power connector for your computer., Unplug...
Step-by-Step Guide
-
Step 1: Check your case specifications.
There are two main sizes for computer fans: 80 mm and 120 mm.
Your computer may support other sizes, including 60 mm or 140 mm.
If you're unsure, remove one of the fans that is currently installed and take it to your local computer retailer and ask about its size or measure it yourself.
Most modern cases use 120 mm fans.
If you are adding a new fan instead of replacing a burnt out one, you will need to look at how the fans interact with each other and whether they will circulate air over the components they are needed for, which is beyond the scope of this article.
Items like video cards and processors tend to require individual cooling fans designed to draw air over heat exchangers or heat sinks attached to the individual devices, and some older video cards have fans attached to the device board. -
Step 2: Look at your case.
Find empty spots where fans can be installed.
There are typically fan spots on the back, side, top and front of the tower.
Each case has its own fan configuration and maximum number of fans. , If your case supports multiple sizes of fans, larger fans will almost always be better than smaller ones. 120 mm fans are significantly quieter and also move much more air per spin, making them much more efficient. , Read spec sheets and reviews to compare different fans.
Look for lower volume levels and high reliability.
Fans are usually pretty inexpensive, and you may be able to get a good deal if you buy a pack of four.
Some of the more popular manufacturers include:
Cooler Master Evercool Deep Cool Corsair Thermaltake , If you want to add a little flair to your case, you can use LED fans.
These will light up your case with different colors, but are a little more expensive. , If you're planning to connect the fan(s) to the power supply, open your PC's case and inspect the power cables coming from it to determine what kind of power connector your fan(s) should have.
The most common connectors are molex, 3-pin, and 4-pin.
Some power supplies will have multiple kinds of connectors which enables you to buy any kind of fan, but do this to be sure.
If want to be able to control the fan's speed, you should connect the fan to your motherboard (unless you have a special feature of your PC that allows you to control the speed without the motherboard).
Most motherboards provide 3 and/or 4 pin connectors for fans., This step is self-explanatory., Hold the power button for at least ten seconds., You will need to remove the side panel of your computer opposite of the motherboard in order to access the inside.
Remove any screws securing the side panel to the rest of your computer's case and pry it off.
Some cases have side panels that swing.
The side panel opposite of the motherboard is usually on the left side.
There are dozens of panel configurations, some using the described screws, some with flipback latches, and others with latches you depress to unlock a panel. , Always ground yourself before working inside of a computer.
Electrostatic discharge can seriously damage components.
You can use an electrostatic wrist strap, or you can ground yourself by touching a metal object.
Continue to ground yourself while working on the computer to release any charge that has built up. , There are multiple vents in the case that can support fan installation.
You can find the vents on the back, front, side, and top of the computer, depending on the case. , They may be scattered around, and there may only be a couple.
Fan connectors are typically labeled CHA_FAN# or SYS_FAN#.
Consult your motherboard's documentation if you are having difficulty finding the connectors.
If you have more fans than connectors, you can use Molex adapters to power your extra fans. , The fans on your computer don't just blow air on your components.
This is not the most efficient way to cool your computer.
Instead, fans should move air through the computer, passing fresh air over your components., Fans move air in one direction, indicated by an arrow printed on the top of the fan enclosure.
Look at your new case fan.
On the top of the enclosure, you should see an arrow.
This indicates which way the fan blows.
If there is no arrow printed, you can examine the label on the fan mechanism.
The air usually flows out of the side with the sticker. , The wind tunnel is created by intake fans and exhaust fans.
Generally you'll want more exhaust fans than intake fans, as this will help create a vacuum inside the case.
When there is a vacuum effect, all of the cracks and small openings in your case will also be pulling cool air in.
Rear
- The power supply on the back of your computer has one fan that pushes air out the back (exhaust).
Set up another fan or two on the rear of the case configured to exhaust air as well.
Front
- Install a fan on the front of your computer that sucks air in (intake).
You may want to install a second front fan in the hard drive bay (if the case supports it).
Side
- Side fans should be set up to exhaust air out the side as well.
Most cases support one side fan.
Top
- The top fan should be configured as another intake.
It may seem natural to set is as an exhaust since the heat will build up at the top of the case, but this will usually lead to too much exhaust and not enough cool air intake. , Screw the fan in using the four included screws.
Make sure that the fan is secure so that it doesn't rattle.
Hand-tighten the screws, but don't over-tighten in case you need to remove or replace the fan later.
Make sure that any cables, including the fan's own power cable, cannot get caught in the fan blades.
Use cable ties to pull cables out of the way if necessary.
If you are having trouble holding the fan in place while you screw it in, use a few small pieces of masking tape to secure it until the screws are inserted.
Make sure not to tape any components or circuitry. , Connect the fans to the fan connectors on your motherboard.
If you have too many fans, or the fan cables will not reach the connectors, use the Molex adapter to connect the fans directly to your power supply.
If fans are plugged directly into the power supply, you will not be able to change the fan speed in the BIOS; they will always run at full speed. , Make sure to close up your case before testing your fans out.
Cases and fans are designed with airflow in mind, and an open case will negate all the airflow benefits.
Open cases will cool much less efficiently than a closed case. , If your fans are connected to the motherboard, you can check that they are working by opening your BIOS.
You can also use the BIOS to change the fan speed.
Use a program like SpeedFan to monitor your fan speed in Windows.
Any fans plugged directly into your power supply will not be monitored. , It's all well and good if your fans are spinning properly, but the end goal is to cool the computer's components.
Download a temperature monitoring program (SpeedFan takes care of this as well).
If your computer is still overheating, you may need to reconfigure your fan locations and directions, or consider more extreme cooling solutions. -
Step 3: Pick larger fans
-
Step 4: if you have an option.
-
Step 5: Compare different fans.
-
Step 6: Choose between LED or standard.
-
Step 7: Make sure that you're choosing fans with the right power connector for your computer.
-
Step 8: Unplug the computer.
-
Step 9: Discharge any remaining power in your computer.
-
Step 10: Remove the side panel.
-
Step 11: Ground yourself.
-
Step 12: Locate all of your vents.
-
Step 13: Locate the power connectors on the motherboard.
-
Step 14: Understand how efficient air cooling works.
-
Step 15: Examine the fan.
-
Step 16: Set up your fans to create a wind tunnel.
-
Step 17: Install the fans.
-
Step 18: Connect the fans.
-
Step 19: Close your case.
-
Step 20: Monitor your fans.
-
Step 21: Monitor your computer's temperature.
Detailed Guide
There are two main sizes for computer fans: 80 mm and 120 mm.
Your computer may support other sizes, including 60 mm or 140 mm.
If you're unsure, remove one of the fans that is currently installed and take it to your local computer retailer and ask about its size or measure it yourself.
Most modern cases use 120 mm fans.
If you are adding a new fan instead of replacing a burnt out one, you will need to look at how the fans interact with each other and whether they will circulate air over the components they are needed for, which is beyond the scope of this article.
Items like video cards and processors tend to require individual cooling fans designed to draw air over heat exchangers or heat sinks attached to the individual devices, and some older video cards have fans attached to the device board.
Find empty spots where fans can be installed.
There are typically fan spots on the back, side, top and front of the tower.
Each case has its own fan configuration and maximum number of fans. , If your case supports multiple sizes of fans, larger fans will almost always be better than smaller ones. 120 mm fans are significantly quieter and also move much more air per spin, making them much more efficient. , Read spec sheets and reviews to compare different fans.
Look for lower volume levels and high reliability.
Fans are usually pretty inexpensive, and you may be able to get a good deal if you buy a pack of four.
Some of the more popular manufacturers include:
Cooler Master Evercool Deep Cool Corsair Thermaltake , If you want to add a little flair to your case, you can use LED fans.
These will light up your case with different colors, but are a little more expensive. , If you're planning to connect the fan(s) to the power supply, open your PC's case and inspect the power cables coming from it to determine what kind of power connector your fan(s) should have.
The most common connectors are molex, 3-pin, and 4-pin.
Some power supplies will have multiple kinds of connectors which enables you to buy any kind of fan, but do this to be sure.
If want to be able to control the fan's speed, you should connect the fan to your motherboard (unless you have a special feature of your PC that allows you to control the speed without the motherboard).
Most motherboards provide 3 and/or 4 pin connectors for fans., This step is self-explanatory., Hold the power button for at least ten seconds., You will need to remove the side panel of your computer opposite of the motherboard in order to access the inside.
Remove any screws securing the side panel to the rest of your computer's case and pry it off.
Some cases have side panels that swing.
The side panel opposite of the motherboard is usually on the left side.
There are dozens of panel configurations, some using the described screws, some with flipback latches, and others with latches you depress to unlock a panel. , Always ground yourself before working inside of a computer.
Electrostatic discharge can seriously damage components.
You can use an electrostatic wrist strap, or you can ground yourself by touching a metal object.
Continue to ground yourself while working on the computer to release any charge that has built up. , There are multiple vents in the case that can support fan installation.
You can find the vents on the back, front, side, and top of the computer, depending on the case. , They may be scattered around, and there may only be a couple.
Fan connectors are typically labeled CHA_FAN# or SYS_FAN#.
Consult your motherboard's documentation if you are having difficulty finding the connectors.
If you have more fans than connectors, you can use Molex adapters to power your extra fans. , The fans on your computer don't just blow air on your components.
This is not the most efficient way to cool your computer.
Instead, fans should move air through the computer, passing fresh air over your components., Fans move air in one direction, indicated by an arrow printed on the top of the fan enclosure.
Look at your new case fan.
On the top of the enclosure, you should see an arrow.
This indicates which way the fan blows.
If there is no arrow printed, you can examine the label on the fan mechanism.
The air usually flows out of the side with the sticker. , The wind tunnel is created by intake fans and exhaust fans.
Generally you'll want more exhaust fans than intake fans, as this will help create a vacuum inside the case.
When there is a vacuum effect, all of the cracks and small openings in your case will also be pulling cool air in.
Rear
- The power supply on the back of your computer has one fan that pushes air out the back (exhaust).
Set up another fan or two on the rear of the case configured to exhaust air as well.
Front
- Install a fan on the front of your computer that sucks air in (intake).
You may want to install a second front fan in the hard drive bay (if the case supports it).
Side
- Side fans should be set up to exhaust air out the side as well.
Most cases support one side fan.
Top
- The top fan should be configured as another intake.
It may seem natural to set is as an exhaust since the heat will build up at the top of the case, but this will usually lead to too much exhaust and not enough cool air intake. , Screw the fan in using the four included screws.
Make sure that the fan is secure so that it doesn't rattle.
Hand-tighten the screws, but don't over-tighten in case you need to remove or replace the fan later.
Make sure that any cables, including the fan's own power cable, cannot get caught in the fan blades.
Use cable ties to pull cables out of the way if necessary.
If you are having trouble holding the fan in place while you screw it in, use a few small pieces of masking tape to secure it until the screws are inserted.
Make sure not to tape any components or circuitry. , Connect the fans to the fan connectors on your motherboard.
If you have too many fans, or the fan cables will not reach the connectors, use the Molex adapter to connect the fans directly to your power supply.
If fans are plugged directly into the power supply, you will not be able to change the fan speed in the BIOS; they will always run at full speed. , Make sure to close up your case before testing your fans out.
Cases and fans are designed with airflow in mind, and an open case will negate all the airflow benefits.
Open cases will cool much less efficiently than a closed case. , If your fans are connected to the motherboard, you can check that they are working by opening your BIOS.
You can also use the BIOS to change the fan speed.
Use a program like SpeedFan to monitor your fan speed in Windows.
Any fans plugged directly into your power supply will not be monitored. , It's all well and good if your fans are spinning properly, but the end goal is to cool the computer's components.
Download a temperature monitoring program (SpeedFan takes care of this as well).
If your computer is still overheating, you may need to reconfigure your fan locations and directions, or consider more extreme cooling solutions.
About the Author
Michelle Hill
Dedicated to helping readers learn new skills in practical skills and beyond.
Rate This Guide
How helpful was this guide? Click to rate: