Description
This is *NOT* a standalone product. Please only purchase it alongside the Libreboot 9020 SFF. This is sold as an upgrade, replacing the stock Dell fans. Minifree replaces every fan: chassis, PSU and CPU fans. The PSU supply fan is very difficult to replace and not recommended unless you’re competent dealing with high voltage gear; Minifree does it for you, at an affordable price.
By default, Minifree provides the stock Dell fans, on Libreboot 9020 SFF workstations, to keep costs low. The default fans work well, but the Noctua fan upgrade will result in much quieter and cooler operation.
If you want a quieter machine on *very high workload* (e.g. 100% CPU usage), the Noctua fans reduce noise levels and are generally higher quality (better performance). Noctua fans run at a lower RPM but have a higher air pressure, hence lower amount of noise (measured in decibels).
Lower operating temperature will also increase the overall lifespan of the machine; the fans also don’t need to run as fast, and therefore will last longer due to lower amount of wear and tear.
The product/gallery photos show examples of these fans installed, including PSU fans.
To keep prices down, and to reduce cable length (for a cleaner looking installation), Minifree does *not* use cable adapters for the fans. Dell uses a non-standard connector for fans. Minifree re-solders Dell’s own connector to the Noctua fans, double-insulating it (heatshrink over each wire when soldered, and then heatshrink over all the wires at once); photos of this are also shown here.
The photo shows Dell fan (left), versus Noctua fan (right). The connector from the old fan is soldered to the new fan, and properly insulated. See below, and the photos also show the fan connector being soldered (the one shown is 2-wire 60mm for 9020 SFF PSU):