Custom memory fan made from case fan?

Phædrus2401 · 06-24-2009, 12:27 PM

I was looking around newegg for a decent cooling fan for RAM. I've noticed that even with the heatspreader my 2x2GB OCZ Platinum DDR2 1066 gets quite hot and I was thinking it might be worthwhile to get a fan for my memory. However, most of the memory fans on Newegg look really shoddy, or like they wouldn't fit with my graphics card. So I was wondering: is it possible to turn an 80mm case fan into a memory fan? I have a generic one from my old case and I don't have anywhere to mount it in my new one. If this is possible, how should I mount it such that it doesn't get in the way of my graphics card (Sapphire Radeon HD4870). I have an ASUS P5Q Pro motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131299 and my GPU is in the first PCIe x16 slot. I have an Antec 900 case with side fan. I also have a rather large CPU Thermaltake V1 heatsink, which probably shouldn't get in the way the way it's oriented now, but it's something to keep in mind. Also, should the fan blow down onto the RAM or blow air out from it? Finally, would this even be worth doing? Would my RAM be much cooler from just an 80mm fan? It is/will be mildly overclocked (it's at 1120MHz, 2.14V, will be at something similar after I install my new CPU) so I'd feel safer with some more cooling.

So is this possible? Worthwhile? How would I go about doing this? Thanks for your help. :)

HD_Monkey · 06-24-2009, 02:17 PM

This will work with your ram as well:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835704001

Phædrus2401 · 06-24-2009, 08:55 PM

I looked at that, but it's way too expensive compared to using a (essentially free) case fan. Also some of the reviewers raised concerns that it didn't hold on very tightly. Finally I don't know if just one would cover both my memory modules, since the arrangement is RAM stick, empty slot, small space, second stick, empty slot. That looks like it might just cover two adjacent slots, though I don't really have anything for a sense of scale.

**Tyree** · 06-25-2009, 12:11 PM

OC'ing makes heat. Is the RAM overheating to where it is causing problems?
My best advice, if you have no place to mount a cooling device for the RAM--back off the OC, install case fans/s, or get a case with better cooling.

Phædrus2401 · 06-25-2009, 12:44 PM

No, not to the point of causing problems. My case has plenty of cooling, it's an Antec 900 with a side fan, and keep everything on high, so no problems there. The RAM just gets a little warm, for instance if I leave my case open and play a game for a while, then place my hand near different components, the air right around my RAM is about 10F hotter than the air coming through my CPU heatsink, though it's much cooler than my GPU.

This isn't really something I *need*, but it might be nice. I wouldn't go and buy a RAM fan, not for $25, but if there's a way to mount this old 80mm fan over the RAM without too much trouble I'd do that. Since my computer is going to be in pieces for a while while I install my new components it would seem to be the best opportunity.

Just any idea of how to do it would be nice.

06-24-2009, 12:27 PM	#1 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,347 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Custom memory fan made from case fan? I was looking around newegg for a decent cooling fan for RAM. I've noticed that even with the heatspreader my 2x2GB OCZ Platinum DDR2 1066 gets quite hot and I was thinking it might be worthwhile to get a fan for my memory. However, most of the memory fans on Newegg look really shoddy, or like they wouldn't fit with my graphics card. So I was wondering: is it possible to turn an 80mm case fan into a memory fan? I have a generic one from my old case and I don't have anywhere to mount it in my new one. If this is possible, how should I mount it such that it doesn't get in the way of my graphics card (Sapphire Radeon HD4870). I have an ASUS P5Q Pro motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131299 and my GPU is in the first PCIe x16 slot. I have an Antec 900 case with side fan. I also have a rather large CPU Thermaltake V1 heatsink, which probably shouldn't get in the way the way it's oriented now, but it's something to keep in mind. Also, should the fan blow down onto the RAM or blow air out from it? Finally, would this even be worth doing? Would my RAM be much cooler from just an 80mm fan? It is/will be mildly overclocked (it's at 1120MHz, 2.14V, will be at something similar after I install my new CPU) so I'd feel safer with some more cooling. So is this possible? Worthwhile? How would I go about doing this? Thanks for your help. :) __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

06-24-2009, 02:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
HD_Monkey Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 367 OS: XP x64 SP2 My System	Re: Custom memory fan made from case fan? This will work with your ram as well: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835704001 __________________

06-24-2009, 08:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,347 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Custom memory fan made from case fan? I looked at that, but it's way too expensive compared to using a (essentially free) case fan. Also some of the reviewers raised concerns that it didn't hold on very tightly. Finally I don't know if just one would cover both my memory modules, since the arrangement is RAM stick, empty slot, small space, second stick, empty slot. That looks like it might just cover two adjacent slots, though I don't really have anything for a sense of scale. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

06-25-2009, 12:11 PM	#4 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,749 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Custom memory fan made from case fan? OC'ing makes heat. Is the RAM overheating to where it is causing problems? My best advice, if you have no place to mount a cooling device for the RAM--back off the OC, install case fans/s, or get a case with better cooling. __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

06-25-2009, 12:44 PM	#5 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,347 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Custom memory fan made from case fan? No, not to the point of causing problems. My case has plenty of cooling, it's an Antec 900 with a side fan, and keep everything on high, so no problems there. The RAM just gets a little warm, for instance if I leave my case open and play a game for a while, then place my hand near different components, the air right around my RAM is about 10F hotter than the air coming through my CPU heatsink, though it's much cooler than my GPU. This isn't really something I need, but it might be nice. I wouldn't go and buy a RAM fan, not for $25, but if there's a way to mount this old 80mm fan over the RAM without too much trouble I'd do that. Since my computer is going to be in pieces for a while while I install my new components it would seem to be the best opportunity. Just any idea of how to do it would be nice. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.