I am about to undertake a build using the Norco 4224.  It is suggested that a 120mm fan plate be used with quieter fans.  Unfortunately that $11 part will cost me over $50 to ship to Canada.  I refuse to pay this outrageous amount for a piece of sheet metal.  Can someone suggest a fan solution using 80 mm fans or some way to insure I can get quiet and cool operation of this beast.

 

Thanks in advance.

Although it is not ideal, it is def possible to "string up" 3 120mm fans together without the wall. I did this in a 4220.

 

I actually used zip ties to hold the fans together. Then I zip tied this through the holes on the side of the case. Because the fans are low RPM, it doesn't look like the sway too much.

 

It is pretty ghetto, and it doesn't look good, but it works.

Would it be a big mistake to use all 80 mm fans.  This unit will be in my office with me and I'm concerned about noise level.

 

Maybe some metal snips will do? Chop, chop.

You can see if you can get the measurements of the fan plate. Any metal shop should be able to whip it up in no time for considerably less cost.

For that kind of cash, I'd mock a plate up in cardboard, then transfer the dimensions to some sheet metal and start cutting.

The problem with mikes suggestion is that it will most likely just recirculate the air already in the case instead of suck in fresh air.

you really need to fill in all gaps in the fanwall to get good suction through the drive bays. even the stock noros have to many holes to be efficient.

 

I have more then once seen people take the 80mm stock fanwall and cut 120mm holes into it. this was what people did before the 120mm fanplate existed..

 

if you cant get that to look right, you can just put a new piece of sheet in the existing fanwall and then drill out the holes with a hole saw.

That way you dont have to worry about bending the edges and drilling the chassis mounting screw holes and getting it 100% exact.

 

I was pretty tempted to do this when I got my norcos...

 

other options... replace the 80mm fans.

or put the 80mm fans on a fan controller and slow them down a tad.

The problem with mikes suggestion is that it will most likely just recirculate the air already in the case instead of suck in fresh air.

you really need to fill in all gaps in the fanwall to get good suction through the drive bays. even the stock noros have to many holes to be efficient.

 

I have more then once seen people take the 80mm stock fanwall and cut 120mm holes into it. this was what people did before the 120mm fanplate existed..

 

if you cant get that to look right, you can just put a new piece of sheet in the existing fanwall and then drill out the holes with a hole saw.

That way you dont have to worry about bending the edges and drilling the chassis mounting screw holes and getting it 100% exact.

 

I was pretty tempted to do this when I got my norcos...

 

other options... replace the 80mm fans.

or put the 80mm fans on a fan controller and slow them down a tad.

 

This man speaks the truth. More important than the pure CFM of the fans will be where the air is coming from.

 

The more you can create a complete wall where air is coming directly from one area and flowing to another, the better.

 

My solution was not meant as a stand alone. I def plugged those wholes, I just didn't have metal, and the fan wall would not fit in the 4220 correctly.

 

I ended up using the fan wall on my 4224, so not all was lost.

Should I not simply go with 3 80mm fans of good quality?

there lies the problem...

 

Yes you can swap out the 80mm..

 

it is not a simple task of just replacing the fans with some lower rpm namebrand-x (this is for 80mm or 120mm).

there are other factors that need to be factored in.

 

one being static pressure. the fan will be under stress pulling air though tiny pathways of the drive bays while trying to create positive pressure in the motherboard area. you fan might not have the horsepower to keep full speed under that load. your 1800rpm fan might reduce to 1200 and not move enough CFM to keep the drives cool.. its a cat and mouse game..

 

I'd look at CPU cooler fans. those tend to have better torque.

 

I'd do a little googling and see what people are using.

 

once you have the server built.. fill in the holes in the fanwall with foam insulation or duct tape or some some other material

 

PS. the norco uses quality fans. just they tend to be reved a bit high for home use. I'd try a baybus. lower the rpm a bit. (not 100% sure what the effect would be, but i'm pretty sure it would work ok)