BADFlSH

Ok, I know a lot of you guys are overclocking and you probably have a ton of fans running. All those fans can be pretty loud and aren’t really necessary if your computer isn’t under a heavy load, like when its sleeping. Here is a description of how I put variable speed fan switches in my computer. This wont be very detailed because I did it awhile ago so I don’t remember part numbers anymore but it should give you an idea how to go about doing it yourself if you are so inclined.

Ok, here is a front view of my case, which as you can see, has two knobs (I only have two fans that I want to adjust the speed on). These can be used to choose one of six speeds for each fan. Also there are two small jacks. Those are so that I can plug a mic and headphones into my comp without having dig through the mess of wires in the back. More on that in a minute.


This is a shot of the inside of the front panel of my case. Sort of looks like a bomb if you ask me. Anyway, those rectangular things at the bottom are the resistors. The ones I used were 18 ohms each but you may end up using different values. The reason they are so big is because they have to dissipate heat. I am not sure what wattage these were but you should just hook your system up on a workbench and let it run for a while to see how hot it gets. These stay pretty cool because of there size.

There are eight resistors total, four for each switch. The resistors are soldered together in series and each node is connected to the switch.

Here is a simple schematic of the switch and resistors. Notice that in position 1 all of the resistors are bypassed. In this position the fan runs at full speed. In position 6 nothing is connected. When in this position the fan is off.

As far as the jacks for the mic and headphones all you have to do is go to radio shack and get both male and female versions of these mini jacks. Put them in the front of the case, next connect the female plugs to the male plugs and run them through an empty slot in the back of the case, then just plug them into your sound card. You can also get an adapter as I have in the picture below so that you can have your computer plugged into a set of speakers behind your case but also plug headphones in the front for when the speakers are turned off.

And there is the back of my case with the wires for the jacks plugged in.

I hope this helps someone. If you need more info let me know and I will try to get more detailed.


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[This message has been edited by BADFlSH (edited 07-28-2000).]

[This message has been edited by BADFlSH (edited 07-28-2000).]

[This message has been edited by BADFlSH (edited 07-28-2000).]

[This message has been edited by BADFlSH (edited 07-28-2000).]

[This message has been edited by BADFlSH (edited 07-28-2000).]

BADFlSH

Anyone know how you post pictures in here?

Nevermind, I got it after editing it FIVE times. LoL

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[This message has been edited by BADFlSH (edited 07-28-2000).]

spigidygak

Very nice, very very nice. But maybe its just me, I would like to have fans on full power all the time. Guess it would be nice to quiet them down at night. . . but with all those ad banners going. . . hehe

BADFlSH

LoL, I know what you mean, I usually have at least 4 banners going at a time.

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Pdizog

Whoa...I wonder what you're tower is gonna look like if you decide to upgrade.

BADFlSH

I think if I ever upgrade the case I will make one out of plexy glass with neon lighting. Or maybe integrate a tank for water-cooling, and then you could put fish tank plants and stuff in it. I don’t think fish would survive but the fake plants and stuff would look cool.

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revil

I'm putting a strobe light in mine

coleslaw

badfish, did you calculate the 18 ohm resistor value as needed, or did you just take a guess?? also, where did you get the red-covered wire. this looks like a very interesting project!! do you think you could send me some more info??

BADFlSH

I just tried different resistors that I had sitting around and 18 happened to work the best. I think if I used less than an 18 one of the fans that I am using didnt have enough juice to start spinning from stop on the lowest setting. The wire was just something else that I had sitting around. Just tell me what type of stuff you would like to know and I will try to get back to you within the next couple days.

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coleslaw

wouldn't it have been easier to use a rheostat??

BADFlSH

Easier, but not as much fun! Actually I just didnt have any around.

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coleslaw

that's always a good reason

Paladin

I took an electronics class bt I for got it all use like a 100ohm to make it really low thats about all I know.

coleslaw

what are you talking about??

coleslaw

i just found a really cool site dedicated to case modification: www.virtualhideout.net

neon lights and windows are kinda cool actually. no time for that though!!