Replace Noisy Case Fan in a Dell Dimension 4300 PC

[Jay Chan]

I would like to know if there is any good and quiet fan that I can use
to replace the noisy case fan in my Dell Dimension 4300 PC. This PC
makes a constant medium pitch noise. I have determined that the noise
is solely coming from the case fan that pulls hot air from the CPU.
The hard disk and the fan in the power supply are quite quiet. But
that case fan somehow is noisy. This is the reason why I want to
replace it with a quiet one.

The spec of the existing noisy case fan is:
DATECH
9232-12HBTL
DC 12V 0.70A
DC BRUSHLESS FAN
P/N 7G538

According to some discussion in internet, I get these info:
- 9232 means 92mm diameter 32mm depth
- 0.70A is kind of high for a case fan. This explains
the reason why it is noisy.
- Dell may need such a powerful fan to cool down the CPU enough?

My questions are:
- Does anyone replace the case fan in Dell Dimension 4300 before?
Does this cut down the noise? Did the CPU overheat?
- Any other suggestion on a compatible and quiet fan?

Thanks in advance for any recommendation.

Jay Chan

 

[JAD]

Your confusing a 'case' fan with a 'CPU' fan.. a case fan mounts in the front , top, rear, of the case and the CPU fan is
mounted on the heat sink and that on CPU

 

[Will Dormann]

Your confusing a 'case' fan with a 'CPU' fan.. a case fan mounts in the front , top, rear, of the case and the CPU fan is
mounted on the heat sink and that on CPU

With some Dells, there's not much of a distinction between the two. The
fan may be physically mounted as a rear case fan, but a cowling makes it
cool the heatsink on the CPU.

-WD

 

[JAD]

hmmm seen this with micro setups but it would figure Dell would need to save 1.50$ and skimp on a fan.

 

[Jay Chan]

With some Dells, there's not much of a distinction between the two. The

fan may be physically mounted as a rear case fan, but a cowling makes it
cool the heatsink on the CPU.

Your description of the case fan is exactly correct. The fan is
mounted on the case facing the rear. There is a large plastic hood
that encloses the CPU (I am sure there is a heatsink on top of the
CPU; I haven't checked it though). The hood directs the air flow over
the CPU and out from the case fan.

I am just wondering whether anyone has successfully replaced that case
fan in that Dell PC with a quiet one. That Dell PC otherwises is very
quiet...

Thanks.

Jay Chan

 

[Allen_L]

There are several people that have replaced the Dell CPU case fans with
bearing fans that are quiet. Do a search on Google Groups in the
alt.sys.pc-clone.dell newsgroup, you will see some sucessful posts. Only
hard thing is removing the Dell fan from it's assembly that fits into the
back of the case. The shroud fits over the fan and down to the CPU. And to
answer another question posted above, there is a very large heatsink on the
CPU. Board wiring for the fan may need a little modification also. I'm using
a Dell Dim. 4100 with is about the same machine.

....Allen

 

[Allen_L]

There are several people that have replaced the Dell CPU case fans with
bearing fans that are quiet. Do a search on Google Groups in the
alt.sys.pc-clone.dell newsgroup, you will see some sucessful posts. Only
hard thing is removing the Dell fan from it's assembly that fits into the
back of the case. The shroud fits over the fan and down to the CPU. And to
answer another question posted above, there is a very large heatsink on the
CPU. Board wiring for the fan may need a little modification also. I'm using
a Dell Dim. 4100 with is about the same machine.

....Allen

 

[Jay Chan]

alt.sys.pc-clone.dell newsgroup, you will see some sucessful posts.

Thanks for the link. I will go there to check it out.

Jay Chan

 

[buyercnish]

cheap alternative to Dell P/N 7g538 fan

If any of you have been searching for this Dell part number 7g538, you will find prices ranging from $30 - $150. This part number if for a Datech brand 92 x 32mm case fan for a Dell Dimension 8200. It was mentioned somewhere that most Dimensions use the same fan - not sure if this is true or not.

An alternative to the expensive fan above is an NMB brand fan, P/N 3612KL-04W. If you search for this part number, you will be pleasantly surprised with prices as low as $5. I purchased my fan from ePowerhousepc. You may have to change the wiring around a bit but it's probably worth the savings.

 

[boz1950]

fans for dell demsion 4300-- thanks for your post!

it hit my nail on the head. Now, not that I need it yet, but having trouble finding a cross number for the fan on top--meaning above the one you mentioned. You really helped me. Would rather order the top fan also just so shipping would be close to the same. And by the way-- do you like the fan---nmb3612kl-o4w?? My fan has been noisy since the day I got the comp. But with time and dog hair, it's worse and is really bothersome.
(e-mail address removed)

 

[Cleatus]

Okay, so you might need some help brother?
I just replaced the noisy fan in my wife's Dell Dimension 4300. Here is what you need to know. ANY 90mm fan should work.
It simply clips into the holder bracket of the fan shroud assembly. I used a 92mm fan, specifically, Arctic Cooling 's Arctic 9, marketed as an exhaust case fan. It works awesome and is very quiet. I paid $8.49 at a local computer store.
Here is what you must do though to make it work. First remove old fan connector from motherboard, pushing in on the plastic retaining thing. Then completely remove fan shroud assy. Pop old fan out. Now you have to cut out the old Dell connector and reuse it because it is proprietary. Cut the 3 wires about 2-3 inches up from the connector. Do the same with the new fan. Wirenut the number 1 wires together, mine were different colors from new fan to old connector. Middle wires are the same (RED) and then the last wire. If you don't have wirenuts you can try a cripping connector, but wirenuts are the best. You'll need 3 very small ones, like the ones used in thermostat wire. Okay, that's it, pretty easy, and good results.