Mac mini 2007 fan removal?

[equalsign]

Hey all,

My mac:

Model Identifier: Macmini2,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 1.83 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 2 MB
Memory: 4 GB (upgraded from 1GB)
Bus Speed: 667 MHz

I want my computer to be silent. I have an SSD coming in the mail tomorrow, but the real noise maker seems to be my fan. It used to be extremely quiet, but few years ago it just started being noisier than before. I don't think anything really brought it on. It's been bugging me since. This was years before I ever opened the machine. There has been no increase in noise since I upgraded the RAM.

Last time I opened up my machine (to upgrade the wireless card) I oiled the fan a bit. It has helped, but the noise is still there. SMC fan control cannot let me go below the default 1500 rpm. Sometimes it dips down to 1000 and the noise difference is wonderful. I have cleaned out my unit, and have it elevated.

I was wondering if there would be any consequence to removing the fan altogether. This might sound dumb, but the machine will still boot and everything, right? I know heat will be an issue, though I'm hoping the SSD will help. I've had trouble finding a replacement fan for my specific model. I was wondering if something like this would work - link.

This version of the mac mini has little vents all around the bottom, so I was thinking a laptop cooling pad might do the job. Thoughts?

 

[Intell]

Do not remove the fan from your Mac Mini. That will only lead to a short quite life of a few hours followed by a fast death of overheating.

 

[KScottMyers]

Hey all,

My mac:

Model Identifier: Macmini2,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 1.83 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 2 MB
Memory: 4 GB (upgraded from 1GB)
Bus Speed: 667 MHz

I want my computer to be silent. I have an SSD coming in the mail tomorrow, but the real noise maker seems to be my fan. It used to be extremely quiet, but few years ago it just started being noisier than before. I don't think anything really brought it on. It's been bugging me since. This was years before I ever opened the machine. There has been no increase in noise since I upgraded the RAM.

Last time I opened up my machine (to upgrade the wireless card) I oiled the fan a bit. It has helped, but the noise is still there. SMC fan control cannot let me go below the default 1500 rpm. Sometimes it dips down to 1000 and the noise difference is wonderful. I have cleaned out my unit, and have it elevated.

I was wondering if there would be any consequence to removing the fan altogether. This might sound dumb, but the machine will still boot and everything, right? I know heat will be an issue, though I'm hoping the SSD will help. I've had trouble finding a replacement fan for my specific model. I was wondering if something like this would work - link.

This version of the mac mini has little vents all around the bottom, so I was thinking a laptop cooling pad might do the job. Thoughts?

How many computers have you seen without a fan? You'll end up cooking the processor. Good luck.

 

[equalsign]

I wasn't talking about not having a fan. I was talking about my fan being external. I just found out that Fan Control lets me set the base speed to 1000 rpm and the noise difference is great. The smcFanControl only lets you set it to 1500. It's still an annoying sound, but so much more bearable.

I'm still thinking about picking up one of those cooling pads to keep my temp under the lower threshold.

 

[philipma1957]

you can remove internal fan but a 2007 mini needs cooling with a fan.

most options are ugly. your idea will not work as most heat is the cpu not the hdd.


http://ark.intel.com/products/29759/Intel-Core2-Duo-Processor-T7100-(2M-Cache-1_80-GHz-800-MHz-FSB)


this may be your cpu 35watts

a hdd is 5 watts or less

http://www.newegg.com/Product/CategoryIntelligenceArticle.aspx?articleId=222


you could pop the top and put in a monster passive heat sink


http://www.scythe-usa.com/product/cpu/026/scnj1100p.html don't attach the fan


but the dvd and the hdd are in the way.

 

[Gav2k]

Replace the fan with a new one and by limiting it to 1500 your throttling your CPU

 

[equalsign]

you can remove internal fan but a 2007 mini needs cooling with a fan.

most options are ugly. your idea will not work as most heat is the cpu not the hdd.

Alright, good to know that bit about the CPU. I'm not terribly hardware savvy yet. What are the ugly options?

Replace the fan with a new one and by limiting it to 1500 your throttling your CPU

Are there any non-apple fans that will work in the mini? Also, my fan is set to 1000 as a lower limit. As the heat increases above 60 C, so will the fan speed. I have no upper limit on my fan speed. Am I still throttling my CPU?

 

[philipma1957]

the best ugly option is buy a 180cm fan





get 4 rubber feet



http://www.amazon.com/SilverStone-P...8?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1339203252&sr=1-8


stack the mini on this fan run the mini with the internal fan disconnected and the lid/aluminum of the mini removed .

clock your cpu temps with istat menu 3 for a few days. if the cpu goes over 90c this method does not work .

if the cpu stays under 60c pop the white/aluminum top on fan turned off clock your temps. if the cpu stays at 90c or less you will have a lower noise. quick question are you under 30. if you are you have better hearing. general rule of thumb. so a noisy fan is easy to hear.

I have playing with sound music macs and pc 's a long time my hearing is meh. MY 55 year old ears don't hear the top end like I used to hear it. I can still hear fan noise I effing hate it myself.

 

[gladoscc]

The ridiculous option would be water cooling it :weed:

 

[equalsign]

the best ugly option is buy a 180cm fan

quick question are you under 30. if you are you have better hearing. general rule of thumb. so a noisy fan is easy to hear.

I have playing with sound music macs and pc 's a long time my hearing is meh. MY 55 year old ears don't hear the top end like I used to hear it. I can still hear fan noise I effing hate it myself.

I'm interested. How would I power such a unit though?

I believe this (link) is the fan in my unit right now. I'll check tomorrow when I pop it open to install the SSD.

You're correct in your guess! I'm 24. I hate the noise too.

 

[Litany]

Put the mini upright with the exhaust vents pointing up. Convection cooling, like the cube.

 

[equalsign]

Alright. So would this fan (link) just plug into my motherboard? My current fan (link) looks 3-pin, but the connector looks a little different than the "normal" 3-pin.

Also, the amperage is different. My current fan is 0.4A, and the Silverstone fan is 0.45A. People online have suggested this kind of difference is not a big deal, but I know macs are a little finicky. Is it a problem?

Finally, does it matter that the RPM on the Silverstone fan is much lower than my current fan?

 

[philipma1957]

Alright. So would this fan (link) just plug into my motherboard? My current fan (link) looks 3-pin, but the connector looks a little different than the "normal" 3-pin.

Also, the amperage is different. My current fan is 0.4A, and the Silverstone fan is 0.45A. People online have suggested this kind of difference is not a big deal, but I know macs are a little finicky. Is it a problem?

Finally, does it matter that the RPM on the Silverstone fan is much lower than my current fan?

no you would buy these 2


http://compare.ebay.com/like/270763301676?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/MEPMPWR12VF8/

plug the cable into the minis fw400


then splice to the fan.


if you want you could buy this


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Three-piece...s_Adapters&hash=item4d02085b1d#ht_1135wt_1398


cut off one end bare the wires and figure out which ones are + -


you need a dc voltmeter to do this once you figure the + - then splice to the fan