Cooling my 360 with case fans powered by USB. can I do it?

bobbyd3 · 03-20-2008, 07:05 PM

So I had an idea to buy 2 computer case fans and 2 usb cables. then cut of the plug on the fan that normally plugs into the motherboard and splicing it to the usb cable.
Then attaching one fan infront of the air intake on my 360 blowing in, and the other fan at the exhaust blowing outwards to increase airflow.

Does anyone know if a usb port can power a case fan? A friend of mine bought some intec fan thats powered by USB, but it is so weak its useless. So I am not sure if USB has enough power.

Parrockk · 03-22-2008, 06:56 PM

Go to your local electronics store and purchase the Intercooler for the 360, it snaps on to the back of the 360, has three cooling fans, and will run you about $25.00 and save you time.

ebackhus · 03-25-2008, 11:49 AM

The Intercooler is also known for ruining consoles.

The easiest way to help cool and quiet your system is to buy rubber feet for it. They sell for about $1.99 at Home Depot. Just stick 4 onto the bottom of your 360 and let it run.

bobbyd3 · 03-26-2008, 02:21 PM

That intercooler fan can messpower up your system because you plug the
Power cord into it and the power flows through it to your xbox.

I bought some other intec fan for $8 bucks that plugs into the usb port and hooks onto the right side of the console, but the fan is weak and the plastic case seems to just block airflow.

From what I've read USB can power 5v dc fans, like what you find on laptop cooling pads. The pc fans that plug into the powersupply of your desktop require more power than a usb can provide.

Been trying to track down 5v fans, found some cheap made ones on ebay that end up costing about $7-$9 a piece, might as well buy a cheap laptop pad and take it apart

ebackhus · 03-26-2008, 04:35 PM

Even a 12v fan can run on 5v, but undervolting has been known to cause problems.

1 g0t 0wn3d · 03-26-2008, 04:39 PM

i am going to look for a extra usb cable and try this pics if it works

1 g0t 0wn3d · 03-26-2008, 05:47 PM

Good news it works

the bad news the fan always spins when pluged into the 360 even if its off

bobbyd3 · 03-26-2008, 10:23 PM

So are you using a regular case fan or a 5v fan?

1 g0t 0wn3d · 03-26-2008, 10:49 PM

thats actually a stock intel cpu fan but a normal case fan will work to i like this for my 360 because it clips right onto the bottom vents

dxj · 03-28-2008, 04:58 AM

Intresting, does it have much of a cooling effect on it?

dxj · 03-28-2008, 05:34 AM

Also would a cooling pad be any use?

1 g0t 0wn3d · 03-28-2008, 06:58 AM

i dont think so its alittle better

03-20-2008, 07:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
bobbyd3 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 25 OS: XP	Cooling my 360 with case fans powered by USB. can I do it? So I had an idea to buy 2 computer case fans and 2 usb cables. then cut of the plug on the fan that normally plugs into the motherboard and splicing it to the usb cable. Then attaching one fan infront of the air intake on my 360 blowing in, and the other fan at the exhaust blowing outwards to increase airflow. Does anyone know if a usb port can power a case fan? A friend of mine bought some intec fan thats powered by USB, but it is so weak its useless. So I am not sure if USB has enough power.

03-22-2008, 06:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
Parrockk Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 14 OS: vista	Re: Cooling my 360 with case fans powered by USB. can I do it? Go to your local electronics store and purchase the Intercooler for the 360, it snaps on to the back of the 360, has three cooling fans, and will run you about $25.00 and save you time.

03-25-2008, 11:49 AM	#3 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 12,811 OS: WinXP Pro SP3 My System Blog Entries: 25	Re: Cooling my 360 with case fans powered by USB. can I do it? The Intercooler is also known for ruining consoles. The easiest way to help cool and quiet your system is to buy rubber feet for it. They sell for about $1.99 at Home Depot. Just stick 4 onto the bottom of your 360 and let it run. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

03-26-2008, 02:21 PM	#4 (permalink)
bobbyd3 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 25 OS: XP	Re: Cooling my 360 with case fans powered by USB. can I do it? That intercooler fan can messpower up your system because you plug the Power cord into it and the power flows through it to your xbox. I bought some other intec fan for $8 bucks that plugs into the usb port and hooks onto the right side of the console, but the fan is weak and the plastic case seems to just block airflow. From what I've read USB can power 5v dc fans, like what you find on laptop cooling pads. The pc fans that plug into the powersupply of your desktop require more power than a usb can provide. Been trying to track down 5v fans, found some cheap made ones on ebay that end up costing about $7-$9 a piece, might as well buy a cheap laptop pad and take it apart

03-26-2008, 04:35 PM	#5 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 12,811 OS: WinXP Pro SP3 My System Blog Entries: 25	Re: Cooling my 360 with case fans powered by USB. can I do it? Even a 12v fan can run on 5v, but undervolting has been known to cause problems. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

03-26-2008, 04:39 PM	#6 (permalink)
1 g0t 0wn3d Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Sedona, az Posts: 6,420 OS: Vista basic 32bit My System	Re: Cooling my 360 with case fans powered by USB. can I do it? i am going to look for a extra usb cable and try this pics if it works __________________ Bench Test \| PC Wizard \| System specs \| PSU info \| PSU calculator \| Memtest86+ \| Speedfan

03-26-2008, 05:47 PM	#7 (permalink)
1 g0t 0wn3d Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Sedona, az Posts: 6,420 OS: Vista basic 32bit My System	Re: Cooling my 360 with case fans powered by USB. can I do it? Good news it works the bad news the fan always spins when pluged into the 360 even if its off __________________ Bench Test \| PC Wizard \| System specs \| PSU info \| PSU calculator \| Memtest86+ \| Speedfan

03-26-2008, 10:23 PM	#8 (permalink)
bobbyd3 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 25 OS: XP	Re: Cooling my 360 with case fans powered by USB. can I do it? So are you using a regular case fan or a 5v fan?

03-26-2008, 10:49 PM	#9 (permalink)
1 g0t 0wn3d Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Sedona, az Posts: 6,420 OS: Vista basic 32bit My System	Re: Cooling my 360 with case fans powered by USB. can I do it? thats actually a stock intel cpu fan but a normal case fan will work to i like this for my 360 because it clips right onto the bottom vents __________________ Bench Test \| PC Wizard \| System specs \| PSU info \| PSU calculator \| Memtest86+ \| Speedfan

03-28-2008, 04:58 AM	#10 (permalink)
dxj Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: UK Posts: 258 OS: XP Pro, Mac OS X	Re: Cooling my 360 with case fans powered by USB. can I do it? Intresting, does it have much of a cooling effect on it?

03-28-2008, 05:34 AM	#11 (permalink)
dxj Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: UK Posts: 258 OS: XP Pro, Mac OS X	Re: Cooling my 360 with case fans powered by USB. can I do it? Also would a cooling pad be any use?

03-28-2008, 06:58 AM	#12 (permalink)
1 g0t 0wn3d Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Sedona, az Posts: 6,420 OS: Vista basic 32bit My System	Re: Cooling my 360 with case fans powered by USB. can I do it? i dont think so its alittle better __________________ Bench Test \| PC Wizard \| System specs \| PSU info \| PSU calculator \| Memtest86+ \| Speedfan