Home > Consumer Reviews > Antec TriCool 92mm DBB Case Fan with 3-Spd Switch 3/4-Pin & 3-Pin Monitoring

We have a Dell Dimension 8100 (desktop machine), which is notorious for its CPU fan. For whatever reason, Dell used a proprietary 3-pin motherboard connector for the fan. When the fan starts going out, it gets really loud, but the part is out of stock. Disconnecting the stock fan from the motherboard means that on every boot, you get a beep and have to hit "F1" to bypass the missing fan.

Antec to the rescue.

This fan (TriCool 92mm) ships with a 3-pin connector and a Y-adapter. The Y-Adapter allows you to get power from a large power-supply socket, like the kind a hard drive uses. The other branch of the adapter goes to a 3-pin connector with a white fan sense pin.

To use this fan to replace the Dell Dimension 8100 fan:
* Disconnect the existing CPU fan from the motherboard, noting which pin is connected to the white wire. This is the fan sense pin.
* Using pliers, carefully remove the plastic sheath on the motherboard fan pins.
* Using the Y-adapter, connect the Antec to a power supply socket.
* Using other branch of the cable, with the white wire to a 3-pin plug, connect ONLY the wired pin to the fan sense pin on the motherboard.

The Dell will then detect the new fan and bypass the warning message.
As a bonus, this fan moves more air on its high setting than the stock fan did.

I purchased this fan for my 5 year old Dell Dimension 2350. My old fan started making buzzing noise about a month ago and I think it was near death. After reading these reviews, I decided to buy the fan.

It took me 30 minutes to install because the screws were difficult to handle. But everything else was literally plug-and-play. Here's the steps for me:
1) Remove old fan
2) Screw in new fan
3) Plug in motherboard detector
4) Plug in power supply

It was so easy and a perfect fit for my old computer! I have the fan on the highest setting and it's quieter than my old fan. This fan has probably extended the life of my computer by 3 years; I am quite happy.

Also -- Dell wanted to sell me a fan for $93, so this is a GREAT price!

This is an excellent cooling fan - quiet, easy to install - make sure you get the double ball-bearing version - like this - there is a cheaper version available without the bearings.

Great product... I got 2 units for my 680i based Intel Core 2 Duo system!

The Antec 92MM FAN is great for individuals that are looking for a variable speed fan which can be increased or decreased to balance cooling and sound levels.

Due to it's size, I was worried it was going to be louder than my previous fans. This was definately not the case. After purchasing 3 fans I am finally satisfied with this...