Buying secondhand case fans. Bad idea?

5ubsonic · 25 Apr 2025 at 13:03

I'm not 100% happy with the noise levels from the case fans (and possibly CPU cooler fans) I'm using. It's a mix of brands (Thermalright, Be Quiet!) and fans that came with the case (Fractal Design).

I was thinking about trying some of the more expensive options from Noctua and Be Quiet!, but don't want to spend a chunk of cash on brand new fans to find they don't make much difference or my ears don't like the particular frequency of noise they produce. So I was thinking about picking up a couple of used fans from eBay or Gumtree or somewhere to test out.

However, I know from moving around some of the fans in my case that the "threads" created from screwing the fans in place get stripped very quickly, making it difficult to get a tight fit once you've moved them a couple of times. So, would it be a bad idea to purchase secondhand fans for this reason? Should I be using those long rubber silicone mounts instead?

Kurgen · 25 Apr 2025 at 13:21

never had a problem with re-fitting fans multiple times... i dont purchase 2nd hand fans as i dont want other peoples fluff

5ubsonic · 25 Apr 2025 at 14:59

Kurgen said:
never had a problem with re-fitting fans multiple times... i dont purchase 2nd hand fans as i dont want other peoples fluff

Maybe I'm doing something wrong but I moved a couple of fans around recently and ended up having to take them out and screw them back in again a couple of times for cable management purposes and the screws seem to have stripped the threads in the plastic in places, such that I can't get a satisfactory tightness in a couple of corners.

Kurgen · 25 Apr 2025 at 15:50

i guess it depends on the fans, and how hard your screwed them in originally

Raumarik · 25 Apr 2025 at 16:10

Never had a problem using second hand fans, they are at risk of damage to the fins etc when in transit though if not in the original packaging.

Unlikely though. Generally fans made in recent years will last for many years. I'm still using some 15 year old Noctua fans

hornetstinger · 25 Apr 2025 at 16:12

Not really worth it, they're what a tenner new

Disco_P · 25 Apr 2025 at 20:02

I would do it if someone was selling a set for dirt cheap but only if they were <3 years old

bazzabear · 25 Apr 2025 at 20:16

5ubsonic said:
Maybe I'm doing something wrong but I moved a couple of fans around recently and ended up having to take them out and screw them back in again a couple of times for cable management purposes and the screws seem to have stripped the threads in the plastic in places, such that I can't get a satisfactory tightness in a couple of corners.

Why don't you try getting some of those rubber anti-vibration mounts? Then there's no screws to strip anything.

hornetstinger · 25 Apr 2025 at 20:18

bazzabear said:
Why don't you try getting some of those rubber anti-vibration mounts? Then there's no screws to strip anything.

yeah they're not expensive, plus reduce motor rumble being transmitted to the case.

5ubsonic · 25 Apr 2025 at 20:27

bazzabear said:
Why don't you try getting some of those rubber anti-vibration mounts? Then there's no screws to strip anything.

I think that's a good idea. I didn't know they existed until doing some research recently and wasn't sure if they were a gimmick :cry:

hornetstinger said:
yeah they're not expensive, plus reduce motor rumble being transmitted to the case.

That sounds ideal.

OK, so where's the best place to get them? OCUK don't seem to stock them - at least I can't find them by searching.

bazzabear · 25 Apr 2025 at 20:29

I'm sure I've bought them from OCUK in the past! But I can't remember what they're official described as!