Zalman Z11 Plus - 80mm Fan Noise

iFrag · 29 Jan 2015 at 14:15

Afternoon All,

I'm hoping I have posted this in the correct sub-forum.

I have a Zalman Z11 Plus case, it has 2x 80mm fans on the sides to provide extra air flow however the fan on the right hand side now makes a really loud noise when I turn my PC on, if I smack the case where the fan is it stops, it also stops once I am on the desktop screen as well.

I'm thinking of replacing the fan as I think it may be a bearing issue, I checked the fan and nothing is stopping it from moving.

The two fans currently connect up using Molex connectors and do not connect into the MB. Is it worth replacing these? If so, would this be a suitable replacement? http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FG-021-AE

Thanks
iFrag

ADT · 29 Jan 2015 at 15:10

I have the same case as you. For a while I forgot one of these side fans disconnected after cleaning the inside of my case. Didn't notice any difference in temperatures, but I only have 2 hard drives in there.

It might be easier that you just try disconnecting it and monitor your temperatures, less hassle

Bickaxe · 29 Jan 2015 at 16:03

Have seen this issue before. It was solved by disconnecting them.
Small fans = more noise (general rule of thumb)

iFrag · 29 Jan 2015 at 16:52

Ok, I'll just take them out of the case then. I removed the HDD bay to fit my R9 290 in there so the HDD is now in the second optical drive bay, the gain from those fans are probably negligible anyway seeing as I have the front case fan unobstructed on the inside.

MrMD · 29 Jan 2015 at 17:09

I just switched out from one of these cases

The side fans are awful,i just disconected them,they way they are orientated doesn't really make much sense for airflow either tbh.

iFrag · 29 Jan 2015 at 19:19

MrMD said:
I just switched out from one of these cases

The side fans are awful,i just disconected them,they way they are orientated doesn't really make much sense for airflow either tbh.

I know it's not necessarily cooling related, but what case did you switch out to?

MrMD · 29 Jan 2015 at 19:39

iFrag said:
I know it's not necessarily cooling related, but what case did you switch out to?

Corsair air 540

Love dat cube! only had it a few weeks.

Plus i wanted to sli my 970(not anymore tho lolol) and add a CPU loop.Z11 just cant really handle either of those properly really.

I really should get some pics up in the 540 thread actually

Z11 is a great case for the money tho