How to install a PC case fan – 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 not sure, remove one of the currently installed fans and take it to your local computer dealer and order your size or measure yourself. Most modern cases use 120 mm fans. If you’re adding a new fan rather than replacing a burned-out one, you’ll need to look at how the fans interact with each other and whether air circulates over the components that need them, which is beyond the scope of this article. Items such as graphics cards and processors typically require individual fans that draw air through heat exchangers or heat sinks attached to each device, and some older graphics cards have fans attached to the device board. The relatively cool air from outside the case (the cooler the environment your PC is in, the better) is pulled/pulled in from the front of the case by one or more front fans (called intake fans). This cool air is forced through the inside of the case, cooling its components in the process, and then pushed out/expelled by one or more rear fans (called exhaust fans) at the back of the case.
Choosing the right fan
Cooling fans are available in a wide variety of sizes and shapes (and colors), from small barrel-type fans sometimes used to cool chips, to large axial fans used in most power supplies. The most common fan sizes are in the 70mm to 140mm range, but fans up to 230mm are becoming more popular. Fans with a diameter of 120 mm are typical in newer cases. Look for one with high airflow (measured in cubic feet per minute, or CFM) and low noise level (measured in decibels or dBA). This information will be on the packaging or on the product information page. Larger fans can usually spin at lower speeds and still move a lot of air without making too much noise. Some manufacturers also incorporate LED lighting into their fans.
keep positive pressure
When adding fans to a system, maintaining positive pressure inside the case can prevent dust from being sucked into any open holes or crevices. To maintain positive pressure, you need to have a higher combined CFM for the inlet fans than for the exhaust fans.
power connections
Most cooling fans connect to a PC with some sort of standard connector. Modern systems typically use dedicated 3-pin or 4-pin fan connectors, although standard 4-pin MOLEX peripheral connectors are also used. 3-pin analog and MOLEX connectors supply power to the fan to make it spin. The four-pin connectors are digitally controlled and allow the system to dynamically change the fan speed. Too many motherboards (and dedicated fan controllers) feature an array of 3-pin and/or 4-pin fan connectors that are placed in different locations around the card.
Installing a new fan
If you are replacing a fan, remove the old one by unscrewing it from the case and disconnecting the cable from the connector (or MOLEX connection). You can reuse screws if your new fan doesn’t come with any. To mount a fan, hold it up to the mounting position so that the holes for the screws up with the holes in the box. While holding the fan in place with one hand, use four screws to secure it in place with the other hand. If you only have plastic friction clips holding a fan in place, simply release the clips, remove the fan and put the new one in its place. Then connect the fan to an unused fan connector. Headers are encoded to ensure proper connection. Four-pin connectors will work with 3-pin fans, but you won’t have control over fan speeds.
Final note
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