CPU cooler upgrade for Orion 3000 p03-620 Desktop

System
System Member Posts: 4,549 Seasoned Practitioner WiFi Icon
This discussion was created from comments split from: CPU cooler upgrade for Orion 3000 p03-620 Desktop.

Answers

  • Topdahl
    Topdahl Member Posts: 8

    Tinkerer

    edited March 2021
    Hi,

    I've just ordered the very same pc as yours and I want to order a new cpu fan right away. Mostly to reduce the noise from the stock cpu fan that I keep reading about from other owners. So I was wondering about this Noctua NH-L9x65, Premium Low-Profile CPU Cooler of yours. Did you notice a considerable reduction in noise or was it more or less the same? Did you replace other fans in the case aswell? Did you also have to upgrade your powersupply?

    Thank you
  • GotBanned
    GotBanned Member Posts: 654 Seasoned Specialist WiFi Icon
    Noctua NH-D9L works too, in case some are considering between various models.
  • Gressex1
    Gressex1 Member Posts: 16 Troubleshooter
    I changed the CPU fan mostly due to high temperatures (80-90 degrees whilst playing racing sims!).  So, noise was not my greatest concern. I like to think case noise has reduced, but it is still quieter than my Fanatec wheelbase so was never really an issue for me - unlike the Alienware Aurora that I returned because that really was very, very, noisy!  I have not bothered replacing the case fans.  I tried to find an upgrade for the PSU but failed to find one as it is an ATX 12VO (12V-Only) supply, with a non-standard power connector!  The good news is that the PC seems to run OK with the stock 500W PSU and an RTX2080, even when driven hard - possibly because the PSU is a 'Gold' model and 12VO PSU is more efficient that traditional ATX multi-voltage PSUs.  I have seen the occasional random freezing for second or two (as reported by others) but as I don't game for more than about an hour at a time I rarely see it.  In fact it may have gone away over the winter - possibly due to cooler ambient temperatures or that now use Intel XTU rather than Acer PredatorSense app to monitor the temperatures.   Also worth noting that, rather accidentally, I ended up with a single-fan  'blower' type RTX2080 which I think has done me a favour as the heat in contained within a shell over the card, and blow out vents on back, rather than venting inside the case .  So if upgrading GPU you may want to consider a 'blower' GPU which may actually sell for cheaper as many people seem to equate multiple fan GPU as a more powerful which I don't think is the case ;-)
  • Fingarn
    Fingarn Member Posts: 51 Devotee WiFi Icon
    https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/633578/some-help-on-changing-cpu-fan-po3-620#latest

    Here is a guide on changing the CPU Cooling. It also shows why changing the CPU cooler will void your warranty. 
  • Topdahl
    Topdahl Member Posts: 8

    Tinkerer

    Hi again,

    Got another question for you. As I've just ordered this cooler I noticed you had some problems with the screws you mention. Can you elaborate on this for me please. Do you mean the 4 included thumbnuts? Because I can't see where you use screws unless you mean the ones that are attached to the bracket that sits on the other side of the motherboard. If it is indeed the nuts, where they too big or too small and did you figure out what size they where? I need to order 4 for myself and could really use the correct diameter before attempting to remove my old fan and make the change.

    Now, if you really did mean screws I'm not understanding where these screws come into place. The only screws I see here are the 4 i've mentioned above that are attached to the mounting bracket and two other ones that are part of the two curved brackets that sits ontop of the mounting bracket. In this case theres only two screws that has the spring on it. 

    Also, if I end up having to remove the motherboard to attach the included mounting bracket, did you notice if the original one was glued into place? I've seen people talking about having to pry the original mounting bracket off because it's glued into place, and that really scares me to do.

    Any help here is much appreciated.

    Thank you


  • GotBanned
    GotBanned Member Posts: 654 Seasoned Specialist WiFi Icon
    edited April 2021
    If you get a Noctua and don't want to remove the motherboard and the original mounting bracket, the screws/thumb nuts that come with Noctua HSF can't be used.The original bracket has holes in it for the screw to go in, while Noctua's bracket is the screw itself. Does this make any sense? As soon as you get your HSF it will be plain as day.

    Seems that Noctua can be fastened to the original bracket by machine screws M3x12 or M4x12. I haven't done this, but I'd think that the correct size is the former. Smaller screw can be put in bigger hole, but it only "kinda fits". Why don't you take one of the originals out and visit a local hardware store - Covid willing - and they will tell what you need?

    The original mounting bracket is secured onto the motherboard by double sided tape. A bit pain to get out, but doable.


    EDIT:  Here's a pic of what I was trying to say "being screw itself". Just happened to have one extra bracket laying around. ^^


  • Topdahl
    Topdahl Member Posts: 8

    Tinkerer

    Thank you for taking the time to explain. I understand the bracket and screw problem now. I will probably end up trying to change the backplate. Your help has been much appreciated. 

    Thanks again!
  • Topdahl
    Topdahl Member Posts: 8

    Tinkerer

    I've now upgraded my rig with the Noctua NH-L9x65 and I am well happy! Installation was much easier than I thought as I didn't have to change the bracket at all. I simply had to use a new set of M3 12mm screws to fit in the excisting mount arms from the bracket.

    Temperatures have now dropped in average 20 degrees. From 82 to 62 (+/-). Have not noticed much reduction in noise though. I suspect noise comes from the front and back fans, and will replace them later to see if it helps.

    Thanks to Gressex1 for giving me the confidence to try!
  • GotBanned
    GotBanned Member Posts: 654 Seasoned Specialist WiFi Icon
    Good job! If I remember correctly, most of the noise is coming from the exhaust fan. Even more so now that you have replaced the original HSF combo.
  • Topdahl
    Topdahl Member Posts: 8

    Tinkerer

    I should've included you in the thanks too Gotbanned. I'm sorry I forgot. Your help was not less helpful than Gressex1's initial explanation. On the contrary. Couldn't have done it without you and your pictures to help. Feeling more confident now to tackle other (still small though) upgrades to my system ;-)

    Next up, front and rear fans.

    Are they the same size by the way? I swear the front one looks bigger than the rear one. 120mm in front and 92mm in back?
    Any suggestions to quiet ones with RGB? I've quite come to like the light effects from these RGB fans now that I've got them.
  • GotBanned
    GotBanned Member Posts: 654 Seasoned Specialist WiFi Icon
    No worries!

    Both fans are 92mm. It would be nice if they were 120, but no. Without some serious "case butchering" (cutting metal and plastics) there is no way to use 120mm front fan.

    Hopefully someone can recommend you some good RGB fans. I'm old-fashioned kind guy, who prefers performance and silence over bling bling. ^^