I have replaced my cMP 4,1>5,1 Apple standard 120mm PSU fan with the Noctua NF A12x25 120mm PWN fan and have also installed The Noctua NF-FC1 PWN Fan speed controller. I am happy to report that both the Noctua fan and the fan speed controller are working perfectly.
EDIT : I cleaned up the cables ! Everything is working. The Noctua fan is now at 1050 RPM as a test for summer
temps. It is working silently. @ 1050 rpm with ambient @ 26°C in iStats menus the PSU temp is 36°C.
Both of the DVD drive doors are taped OPEN to allow more airflow.
LINKS :
Noctua NF A12x25 120mm fan for cMP PSU on Amazon.com https://www.amazon.com/Noctua-NF-A1...ywords=noctua+nf-a12x25&qid=1589390335&sr=8-9
Noctua NA-FC1 PWN fan speed controller on Amazon.com https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B072M2HKSN/ref=dp_olp_afts?ie=UTF8&condition=all
I have tested changing the 120mm Noctua NF A12x25 fan's speeds from ( EDIT ) 800 ~ 1,200 rpm using the Noctua NA-FC1. Response in changing RPM is near instantaneous
a. WHY ?
Firstly, my 2009 4,1>5,1 cMP is now over 11 years old ! . .and because replacing the Apple PSU fan is a pain
as the 4,1 / 5,1 PSU fan's power cableruns UNDER the cMP's backplane/motherboard. Luckily I have bypassed this
limitation ( see " b " )
I live in Japan which has a long. hot ( up to 40°C ) 7 humid summer- late July to late SeptemberFA.
My 4,1>5,1 cMP is now 11 years old but still remains my faithful & favourite desktop computer.
Due to re-routing the PSu fan’s power cable I no longer need to remove the cMP’s backplane should I need to
again replace the PCU fan.
BONUS : I now have TWO working PSU fans - I’m keeping the original Apple PSU fan as a backup spare.
I have since proven that with just removing the power supply ( 4 screws ) I can now replace the PSU fan & reboot in
30 minutes.
b. Why is the PSU fan's cable routed UNDER the backplane/motherboard ?
Apple decided that to remove/replace the 4,1/5,1 PSU fan the the backplane MUST be removed.
This is a fallacy, I ran the Noctua’s power cable down through the small gap on the far left side under the DVD/PSU area.
Problem solved though for the very first time/replacement the BACKPLANE/MOTHERBOARD still needs to be removed ; allow the cable re-routing.
c. Fan rubber retaining grommets removal.
These grommets CAN be removed fairly easily.
Requirements : TWO pairs of slim long, ‘needle nose’ pliers
Using the pliers, grab EACH opposite end of a grommet and then STRETCH it from both ends !
Result: The grommet, as it is stretched becomes thinner in diameter and can then be ‘edged’ back through the
Fan ‘grommet hole’. I have successfully removed 6 grommets from old cMP 2,1 fans without causing ANY damage.
Proof
================================================================
1. Remove the power supply= 4 screws
2. Remove the backplane/motherboard. I VERY STRONGLY SUGGEST that first timers watch this video
prior to attempting this.
The only HARD PART is removing the CPU Tray fan assembly which requires so wiggling of the INTAKE & EXHAUST
fans. NOTE : Disconnect the INTAKE & EXHAUST fan connector from the BACKPLANE.
Removing the backplane is not a trivial operation but is definitely DOABLE in about 30 ~ 40 minutes provided you make a “ to do “ list
And work slowly and carefully. In my case, it was my first time and I do admit to some apprehension but in the end .. =success !
3. Remove the GROMMETS using TWO sets of slim, needle need pliers. ( follow the directions in “ paragraph “ c” above.
4. RE-ROUTING the Noctua NF A12x25 120mm fan CABLE.
Now that the backplane has been removed you can retract the existing PSU fan cable.
Install the Noctua fan
Run the Noctua NF A12x25’s power cable down through the small space on the far left side of the DVD/PCU space.
4.1 IMPORTANT :
The Noctua fan cable socket ( where it connects to the backplane) - has TWO raised locator guides !
ONE of these needs to be SHAVED OFF )
Use a hobby knife with a new blade. This SHAVING will allow the cable to 100% allow it to connect to the
backplane PSU power socket.
=======================================================
I will continue to finish this guide as time allows. I am recovering from a broken hip surgery, I need more sleep than usual.
=======================================================
In the meantime . . . . .
These cables are included in the NA-FC1 PWM speed controller kit
EDIT : I cleaned up the cables ! Everything is working. The Noctua fan is now at 1050 RPM as a test for summer
temps. It is working silently. @ 1050 rpm with ambient @ 26°C in iStats menus the PSU temp is 36°C.
Both of the DVD drive doors are taped OPEN to allow more airflow.
LINKS :
Noctua NF A12x25 120mm fan for cMP PSU on Amazon.com https://www.amazon.com/Noctua-NF-A1...ywords=noctua+nf-a12x25&qid=1589390335&sr=8-9
Noctua NA-FC1 PWN fan speed controller on Amazon.com https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B072M2HKSN/ref=dp_olp_afts?ie=UTF8&condition=all
I have tested changing the 120mm Noctua NF A12x25 fan's speeds from ( EDIT ) 800 ~ 1,200 rpm using the Noctua NA-FC1. Response in changing RPM is near instantaneous
a. WHY ?
Firstly, my 2009 4,1>5,1 cMP is now over 11 years old ! . .and because replacing the Apple PSU fan is a pain
as the 4,1 / 5,1 PSU fan's power cableruns UNDER the cMP's backplane/motherboard. Luckily I have bypassed this
limitation ( see " b " )
I live in Japan which has a long. hot ( up to 40°C ) 7 humid summer- late July to late SeptemberFA.
My 4,1>5,1 cMP is now 11 years old but still remains my faithful & favourite desktop computer.
Due to re-routing the PSu fan’s power cable I no longer need to remove the cMP’s backplane should I need to
again replace the PCU fan.
BONUS : I now have TWO working PSU fans - I’m keeping the original Apple PSU fan as a backup spare.
I have since proven that with just removing the power supply ( 4 screws ) I can now replace the PSU fan & reboot in
30 minutes.
b. Why is the PSU fan's cable routed UNDER the backplane/motherboard ?
Apple decided that to remove/replace the 4,1/5,1 PSU fan the the backplane MUST be removed.
This is a fallacy, I ran the Noctua’s power cable down through the small gap on the far left side under the DVD/PSU area.
Problem solved though for the very first time/replacement the BACKPLANE/MOTHERBOARD still needs to be removed ; allow the cable re-routing.
c. Fan rubber retaining grommets removal.
These grommets CAN be removed fairly easily.
Requirements : TWO pairs of slim long, ‘needle nose’ pliers
Using the pliers, grab EACH opposite end of a grommet and then STRETCH it from both ends !
Result: The grommet, as it is stretched becomes thinner in diameter and can then be ‘edged’ back through the
Fan ‘grommet hole’. I have successfully removed 6 grommets from old cMP 2,1 fans without causing ANY damage.
Proof
================================================================
HOW TO REPLACE the 4,1 / 5,1 PSU fan with Noctua A12x25 120mm fan. ( first time ).
1. Remove the power supply= 4 screws
2. Remove the backplane/motherboard. I VERY STRONGLY SUGGEST that first timers watch this video
The only HARD PART is removing the CPU Tray fan assembly which requires so wiggling of the INTAKE & EXHAUST
fans. NOTE : Disconnect the INTAKE & EXHAUST fan connector from the BACKPLANE.
Removing the backplane is not a trivial operation but is definitely DOABLE in about 30 ~ 40 minutes provided you make a “ to do “ list
And work slowly and carefully. In my case, it was my first time and I do admit to some apprehension but in the end .. =success !
3. Remove the GROMMETS using TWO sets of slim, needle need pliers. ( follow the directions in “ paragraph “ c” above.
4. RE-ROUTING the Noctua NF A12x25 120mm fan CABLE.
Now that the backplane has been removed you can retract the existing PSU fan cable.
Install the Noctua fan
Run the Noctua NF A12x25’s power cable down through the small space on the far left side of the DVD/PCU space.
4.1 IMPORTANT :
The Noctua fan cable socket ( where it connects to the backplane) - has TWO raised locator guides !
ONE of these needs to be SHAVED OFF )
Use a hobby knife with a new blade. This SHAVING will allow the cable to 100% allow it to connect to the
backplane PSU power socket.
=======================================================
I will continue to finish this guide as time allows. I am recovering from a broken hip surgery, I need more sleep than usual.
=======================================================
In the meantime . . . . .
These cables are included in the NA-FC1 PWM speed controller kit
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