How to attach 120mm fan to front of case?
See photos. I plan on adding 2 120mm fans. The fan holes line up with the holes on the case but the holes on the case are too small plus I would need a screw that is just over 1" long and have a self tapping end or would I use this? A long rubber screw that you push in. I think the case holes may be to small.
Windows 10 Pro 22H2
Cable ties. You will need ones that fit in the holes because there is different sized diameters so you might need to combine them because usually the diameters that fit are not long enough but you combine two together in that case.
@davidhelp
The screws go in from the backside. That way the short screws will work.
And... those "small" holes are not for the self tapping screws. They are for a longer screw with a washer and nut.
Like these. These are 1.25" long...
These are fan screws. They are very skinny.
You can get screws like these at Home Depot or similar.
These screws are probably size #1, #2, in diameter. Probably #2.
Last edited by Ghot; 01 Feb 2024 at 07:51.
I agree with Ghot.
A properly mounted fan will make far less noise than one held in by cable ties.
Best of luck,
Denis
Thanks to all for the suggestions.
The case holes were size #6-32, same as the brass standoffs for the motherboard. I bought oval phillips.
The holes were threaded so no nuts required.
The CPU temp use to be 127F and is now as low as 87F topping at 91F. (after a restart with 5 fans working)
This with the same number of Firefox web browser tabs (72...) and 7 windows and email, notetab, LDPlayer, MS Word, HTMLPad programs open as before.
TIP: Get the browser app called: Tab Session Manager to save your browser tabs so you can load them again if Firefox fails to restore them.
The pc is from July 2015. Upgraded ram and graphics. Below from Speccy.
CPU
Intel Core i5 4690K @ 3.50GHz 115 °F
Haswell 22nm Technology
RAM
32.0GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 665MHz (9-9-9-24)
Motherboard
Gigabyte Technology Co. Ltd. Z97X-UD5H (SOCKET 0) 74 °F
Graphics
MSI PS321QR (2560x1440@165Hz)
4095MB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 (ASUStek Computer Inc) 85 °F
Last edited by davidhelp; 02 Feb 2024 at 02:42.
Cable ties if done correctly are a valid method if you do it correctly there will be no noise because the housing is rigid to the chassis.
Those holes if they have no thread assuming this is the case asOP mentioned self tapping screws which would suggest as such. Fans generally come with threaded screws not bolts.
if that is the case then those holes might not even be for fans they could be apart of the tooling press guide pilots that stamped those sheet of metal. They conveniently serve the alternate purpose to mount fans but generally they should be threaded holes if that is the case.
What ever works is fine but Cable ties are also a valid solution i use it all the time. Some pictures of how they stamp a sheet metal for computer cases.
How PC cases are made: inside NZXT's factory | PC Gamer
Cable ties would actually work better than the rubber plug and also as strong as any screw. Although if you got the right plug it would work but i have never had success with those style they are more like a band aid method but a poor one.
Looking at the picture he posted the mounting holes in the case don't line up with the mounting holes in the fan. If that's the case wire ties or drilling new holes in the case are the only options I see.
If the case holes do align with the fan, simply cut (hacksaw) off the top screw flanges on the fan, and use the holes in the flanges that sit against the case, or enlarge the top flange holes enough for a screw head to pass through, or (rather fiddly) insert the screws into the case-end flange holes and do up with screwdriver that fits through top holes. Other bodges available on request!
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