Fan replacement for Akitio Node?  

I removed the PSU fan in my AKiTiO Node a while back. It’s a fairly standard 80mm fan.

I am also curious about this. itsage, you also mentioned that you disabled the PSU fan in your review from January. No problems with heat I guess? So you don't see a reason to replace the fan? Just disable by disconnecting the cables?

Thanks!

When I shut off my computer, the node PSU remains active. This is rather annoying since the PSU fan is loud.

Yet if I turn on the node using the physical power switch, the PSU fan does not switch on until I turn on my computer. It'd be nice to get the firmware updated so that power management on the node is improved.

Any suggestion for brand of fan?  9to5Mac replaced  Akitio Thunder 3 with Noctua fan.  Noctua comes up often on web search.  So 80 mm for PSU fan and 120 mm for front case fan?

Noctua makes great fans in pretty much every commonly used size, so they are a great choice for fan replacement.

Posted by: itsage

 

I removed the PSU fan in my AKiTiO Node a while back. It's a fairly standard 80mm fan.

   

Hi @itsage, how exactly did you manage to get at and remove the fan in the PSU in the Node? Mine seems to be in an enclosed case that doesn't look easily removable. Do you have any pics of how you did it?

Thanks, Dan

Just got my node. I want to get rid of that PSU fan too. Any particular steps we should take and any long term problems?

Can I disconnect the PSU fan on the Node and leave it out. It so freaking loud. I'm running it with a 1060.  Can it run without a fan?

The stock Node PSU fan is an 80x80x10(or 15, I didn't have a precise enough ruler next to me). I attempted to cram a Noctua 80x80x25 but it was way too thick.

I did some stress tests without the fan and the PSU got hot enough that it shut off power after ~30 minutes, (failsafe?) and it continued to do so, even after I left the cover off. So YMMV.

After a lot of research and dead ends about just how quiet a 10/15mm fan can be, I decided to put the stock fan back in since my graphics card is 10x louder anyway.

Now I am actually replacing Akitio PSU.  

I am looking at Corsir SF450 (SFX format).  It is 80+ Gold certified so it should run cooler.  It also has 92 mm zero RPM fan mode and should be silent during low and medium loads.  $90 price tag is steep, but worth it to rid of this loud PSU fan.

Only question I have is that I am not certain if the fan will line up with Akitio Node's PSU fan opening.   

Posted by: chocomonsters

 

Now I am actually replacing Akitio PSU.  

I am looking at Corsir SF450 (SFX format).  It is 80+ Gold certified so it should run cooler.  It also has 92 mm zero RPM fan mode and should be silent during low and medium loads.  $90 price tag is steep, but worth it to rid of this loud PSU fan.

Only question I have is that I am not certain if the fan will line up with Akitio Node's PSU fan opening.   

   

Thats not a half bad idea, My only gripe with the node is how loud it can get when everything is at idle. if you look at the tear down of the node that @itsage did and compare the PSU to the one you want to replace it with, it does look like it would match up but it is a little hard to tell without the measurements. Would be keen to try this mod out too depending on how you get on. Would you replace the front fan too?

I'd like to know why enclosures makers didn't consider to use TFX PSUs.

Ok.  It works great.  Fan cutout on Akitio Node and fan on Corsair PSU are both standard so they match.  

Unless I am running game, neither my GPU fan (MSI GTX 1070 gaming X) or Corsair PSU fan run.  Only fan running is Akitio Node front fan, which isn't too bad.  I will replace that with standard Noctua fan later.

Costs $ but silence is worth more to me....

EDIT:

These are modular cables.  It only ships with 2 PCIe cables so you will need to obtain one more if your GPU needs two cables.

@chocomonsters Thanks for the update! Glad to hear it worked out well, I think I will do the same in the next couple of weeks. In regards to replacing the front fan, How would one go about choosing a fan? I am keen to go with a Noctua fan, However I am little confused as to how it would all connect up? I see on the Akitio Node PCB that it has a 2 pin connector, however on all the fans I've looked at have a 3 pin connecter. Would I need to get an adapter or would i just be better off cutting the wires and connecting them up with the new fan, as I wouldn't need to worry about the 3rd pin in the connecter. I am complete noob when it comes to PSU / Fans etc as I've only owned Mac's so have never really had to look into any of this. Any help would be greatly appreciated.  

@chocomonsters Looks great! I'm starting to rethink the power supply fan again. I really hate that it always runs.

I'm curious how you actually "turn on" this power supply since the ATX connector that sends the "power on" command is not used. Is the power supply always on when you flip the master switch on the back? Or are you using a paper clip trick?

I have ordered Noctua 120 mm NF-S12A FLX and 2 pin to 3 pin fan adapter from Amazon.  Will let you know how quiet it is once I get it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BEZKX8Y

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002PNL3IS

NF-S is for universal case ventilation and quietness (NF-F is for heatsink and NF-P is for in-between).  PWN is for 4-pin control so useless for our use.  ULN maybe too slow and low ventilation.  FLX has 17 dB/A and 8dB/A.  

Just use 3 pin to 2 pin converter.  3rd wire is for a speed signal which won't be used in Akitio Node.

@chocomonsters, not sure but have you replaced the entire PSU?

The Node's standard PSU comes with a 12v 80mm slim fan. I replaced the fan with a SilenX Itrema slim 80mm fan. It's very very silent. Note the fan needs to have a height of 15mm instead of the standard 25mm or it won't fit.

The label on the PSU states "with fan sensor control", my guess is the voltage is going up depending on temperature. I measured the voltage on 3,6 volt without anything plugged in. Too low for the fan to start up but it started turning during benchmarks and stayed on after reboot. After cool down it shuts off.

To replace the fan you can easily open the PSU with 4 screws. Oh yes, please don't try this at home kids. The SilenX fan comes with a 3pin plug so I soldered the wires to the 2pin plug. You could also get a adapter ofcourse, but space is limited inside the PSU.

@anima how quiet is the PSU after the fan replacement?

Curious while install 98o ti hybrid do you use node's fan with Radiator or Evga Fan ?  

thanks

@markbam.  Yes, all PSU requires "on" signal from motherboard to turn-on as safety measure.  I did not use paper clip to jump ("on" Green wire to "ground" Black wire).  I am using jumper tool similar to this one from Amazon.  

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NKQ4F98/

You can use paper clip but you need to wrap it well in electrical tape.

@Anima.  Yes, I replaced the PSU with Corsair SF450.  It is 80+ Gold (but meets Platinum level on reviews) so much more efficient in conversion and less heat generation.  The fan has zero RPM mode so it is not even running most of time except under load (heavy 3D or benchmarking).  So basically it is silent most of time.  

Since my graphic card only runs fan under load, only sound is coming from Akitio front fan (which I am waiting for Noctua fan replacement from Amazon).

@Jonwatso It's really silent, nearly inaudible. Only with your ear pressed against it can you hear some faint nothingness

@nperei Wouldn't use either, both are noisy. But whichever you use I would connect it directly to the GPU so it has variable speed depending on the load.

@chocomonsters Nice that PSU fits in. About that 2 pin to 3 pin adapter you might want to have a look at that, judging from the link that might be the reverse of what you need

This might also be of interest.

https://egpu.io/forums/builds/2015-15-macbook-pro-m370x-akitio-node-evga-980ti-win10-plug-and-play/#post-9441

@anima   Thanks for catching that.  Correct one from that vendor is below link for 3 to 2 pin converter.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002FR84FY

Posted by: chocomonsters

 

Ok.  It works great.  Fan cutout on Akitio Node and fan on Corsair PSU are both standard so they match.  

Unless I am running game, neither my GPU fan (MSI GTX 1070 gaming X) or Corsair PSU fan run.  Only fan running is Akitio Node front fan, which isn't too bad.  I will replace that with standard Noctua fan later.

Costs $ but silence is worth more to me....

EDIT:

These are modular cables.  It only ships with 2 PCIe cables so you will need to obtain one more if your GPU needs two cables.

   

Thanks for the inspiring post! I've never messed around with the PSU before, can you help me to describe the installation procedure? Are there any special tools required, or extra cables, or special procedures, or does it just slot in?

@DANgerous25.  Nothing to install really.  SFX format PSU is standard size that fits in Akitio Node.  Unscrew and PSU slides out.  No special tools needed.  No need to open up PSU.

I chose Corsair SF450 as it was modular PSU that can accommodate 3 PCIe cables (one PCIe for Akitio Node and 2 PCIe for MSI GTX1070 gaming X).  It is rated 80 plus Gold so it runs cool enough that PSU fan doesn't kick in ever.  It only came on once during stress benchmarking.  This PSU comes with 2 PCIe cables so I requested and received 3rd PCIe cable from Corsair.  All PSU designed to use with motherboard will need "power-on" jumper with paper clip or pre-made jumper tool from Amazon.  Just attach jumper tool to 24 ATX cable to power on PSU.  This simulate power on-signal from computer motherboard and turn PSU on.

I also replaced stock Sunon fan with Noctua NF-S12A FLX fan yesterday.  It is really quiet (17.8 dB at 63 CFM air flow with max speed setting) vs Sunon fan (29.6 dB at 55 CFM air flow) and moves more air than stock fan in Akitio Node.  This fan can run at slower speed but I dont find it necessary.  You do need a 3 pin to 2 pin fan adapter cable.

These are what I used.

Corsair SF450 PSU         www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CGGOXWQ

PSU Bridge Tool               www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NKQ4F98

3 to 2 pin fan adapter      www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002FR84FY

Noctua NF-S12A FLX      www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BEZKX8Y

Corsair CP-8920143 PCIe spare cable from Corsair

Really helpful post, chocomonsters. I'm going to try to replicate this setup. 

Thank you! The stock psu is also driving me nuts. 

After seeing the Akitio Node photos from the NAB Show I decided to go with a Purple SP120 Corsair fan (would've made more sense to get the AF version, but this one was cheap.). Even though this isn't marketed as a quiet fan, its quieter than the GPU fan. Quite like the look of the purple glow. Still waiting on the PSU fan. 

It would be very interesting to post details on the product and the process to put thm in place when it is not straitforward.

Waiting for my Node and the 980 hybrid... they are in route 🙂

Posted by: igerard

 

It would be very interesting to post details on the product and the process to put thm in place when it is not straitforward.

Waiting for my Node and the 980 hybrid... they are in route 🙂

   

I am going to post a quick tutorial on how to replace the fan / PSU fan once I get all the bits and bobs. Super easy to replace the front fan. By the looks of it Akitio designed it to be replaced as it just slides out (Much like the Power Mac G4/5 Fans). You shouldn't run into any issues with your 980 Hybrid 😊

Hello.

I am Japanese. Looking at this wonderful forum, we successfully customized eGPU and front fans.

Thank you very much!

@ Shion1048 That looks really good. What fan are you using for the front?

I've finished swapping out the PSU Fan with a "SilenX IXTREMA Pro IXP-52-11 80mm x 15mm" Fan. Made a massive difference with sound. Its fairly easy to do, You just need to be handy with a soldering iron to wire the new fan in place. I can't even hear the PSU anymore. The only fan I can hear is the fan on my RX480. 

Posted by: chocomonsters

 

@DANgerous25.  Nothing to install really.  SFX format PSU is standard size that fits in Akitio Node.  Unscrew and PSU slides out.  No special tools needed.  No need to open up PSU.

I chose Corsair SF450 as it was modular PSU that can accommodate 3 PCIe cables (one PCIe for Akitio Node and 2 PCIe for MSI GTX1070 gaming X).  It is rated 80 plus Gold so it runs cool enough that PSU fan doesn't kick in ever.  It only came on once during stress benchmarking.  This PSU comes with 2 PCIe cables so I requested and received 3rd PCIe cable from Corsair.  All PSU designed to use with motherboard will need "power-on" jumper with paper clip or pre-made jumper tool from Amazon.  Just attach jumper tool to 24 ATX cable to power on PSU.  This simulate power on-signal from computer motherboard and turn PSU on.

I also replaced stock Sunon fan with Noctua NF-S12A FLX fan yesterday.  It is really quiet (17.8 dB at 63 CFM air flow with max speed setting) vs Sunon fan (29.6 dB at 55 CFM air flow) and moves more air than stock fan in Akitio Node.  This fan can run at slower speed but I dont find it necessary.  You do need a 3 pin to 2 pin fan adapter cable.

These are what I used.

Corsair SF450 PSU         www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CGGOXWQ

PSU Bridge Tool               www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NKQ4F98

3 to 2 pin fan adapter      www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002FR84FY

Noctua NF-S12A FLX      www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BEZKX8Y

Corsair CP-8920143 PCIe spare cable from Corsair

 

 

 

   

I was thinking of replacing the stock PSU with the Corsair SF450, but it seems to only support two PCIe connections? Which slot are you plugging your spare PCIe cable into? 

@Jonwatso

hi

This is Fan.

https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/B06XGV1SSY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks to @Chocomonsters' advice, I've now received all the parts and I've successfully replaced my power supply, and also added a ThermalTake LED fan for good measure. Here's how it looks without the cover on!

Apologies for the PDF, for some reason the site won't let me upload as a JPEG even though the filesize is only a few hundred Kbs.

It has two PCIe and one EPS/SFX12V connections that are interchangeable.  I obtained extra PCIe (6+2) cable from Corsair which can be connected to EPS/SFX12V.  I used PCIe connected to EPS connection for powering Akitio Node and two PCIe to power GPU.