tl;dr: just replace with EFB0412MD
There are already plenty of posts discussing fan modding of SX6012 here in this forum, some suggesting not to replace fans but just tune the speed, some are suggesting to use Noctua 4cm fans like NF-A4x10 FLX. The first option does not work very well for me, I reduced the fan speed to 30% but still hear noise that I am not comfortable with and the PowerPC CPU temperature is already around 75°C at empty load. The second option is far too expensive, paying like 20 USD for one fan is not a good idea to me. Therefore, I aim to find some fans that are cheap and produce enough airflow to cool everything down.
Baseline requirements on the fans based on information I gathered here:
Given the above restriction, there are not too many choices that easy to buy here in Singapore. I bought some based on their datasheets, however it turns datasheets may not be entirely trustworthy, especially the noise level can really vary. I spent like a month to buy and try various options before I can find the one that is optimum to me. In total the fans cost a bit more than 4 NF-A4x10 FLX (excluding shipping). Apparently, it didn't save me any money but I guess if I share my experience here, you can save some.
(the pile of fans I bought)
Here I intro fans I bought and a small photo for them:
The original fans: Delta FFB0412UHN
Sanyo 109P0412F3D01
Sanyo 109P0412H3013
Delta EFB0412MD
Delta FFB0412HN
Delta EFB0412VHD
Sunon MF40201VX-1000C-G99 (looks fake)
Sunon MB40201VX-0000-G99 (looks fake)
Sunon MF40201VX-1000C-G99
In case some readers are not aware, SX1012 is using the standard PC fan connectors but the wiring is a bit different. You need to use 4pin connector and move the wire one slot to the right. See below photo for detail
Basically:
I measured the fan noise level at full speed, using some phone app. The results are definitely not accurate or precise due to lack of equipment, but at least they are inline with my personal experience. I bought 4 units for each model, measured them each for 20 seconds and take average for the decibel reading. Here is the result:
I then chose the ones with better readings and put them into my SX1012 and measure (the noise reading represents the noise level of 4 fans together):
Looking at the results, EFB0412MD seems to be able to produce sufficiently good temperature reading with acceptable noise level. Most importantly, they are really cheap (1.5 USD per piece when I bought)
There are already plenty of posts discussing fan modding of SX6012 here in this forum, some suggesting not to replace fans but just tune the speed, some are suggesting to use Noctua 4cm fans like NF-A4x10 FLX. The first option does not work very well for me, I reduced the fan speed to 30% but still hear noise that I am not comfortable with and the PowerPC CPU temperature is already around 75°C at empty load. The second option is far too expensive, paying like 20 USD for one fan is not a good idea to me. Therefore, I aim to find some fans that are cheap and produce enough airflow to cool everything down.
Baseline requirements on the fans based on information I gathered here:
- 4cm fans, with thickness less than or equals to 28mm;
- Rated 12v;
- Speed more than 4500rpm;
- Have to support tachometer;
- Better to avoid pwm fans due to some speed control bug
Given the above restriction, there are not too many choices that easy to buy here in Singapore. I bought some based on their datasheets, however it turns datasheets may not be entirely trustworthy, especially the noise level can really vary. I spent like a month to buy and try various options before I can find the one that is optimum to me. In total the fans cost a bit more than 4 NF-A4x10 FLX (excluding shipping). Apparently, it didn't save me any money but I guess if I share my experience here, you can save some.
(the pile of fans I bought)
Here I intro fans I bought and a small photo for them:
The original fans: Delta FFB0412UHN
Sanyo 109P0412F3D01
Sanyo 109P0412H3013
Delta EFB0412MD
Delta FFB0412HN
Delta EFB0412VHD
Sunon MF40201VX-1000C-G99 (looks fake)
Sunon MB40201VX-0000-G99 (looks fake)
Sunon MF40201VX-1000C-G99
In case some readers are not aware, SX1012 is using the standard PC fan connectors but the wiring is a bit different. You need to use 4pin connector and move the wire one slot to the right. See below photo for detail
Basically:
| Pin | PC | SX1012 |
| 1 | GND | 12V |
| 2 | 12V | RPM |
| 3 | RPM | |
| 4 | GND |
I measured the fan noise level at full speed, using some phone app. The results are definitely not accurate or precise due to lack of equipment, but at least they are inline with my personal experience. I bought 4 units for each model, measured them each for 20 seconds and take average for the decibel reading. Here is the result:
| Model | Noise level |
| Background noise | 24.5db |
| 109P0412F3D01 | 49.0db |
| 109P0412H3013 | 55.5db |
| EFB0412MD | 44.9db |
| FFB0412HN | 59.7db |
| EFB0412VHD | 52.8db |
| MF40201VX-1000C-G99 (fake) | 49.8db |
| MF40201VX-1000C-G99 | 47.8db |
| MB40201VX-0000-G99 (fake) | 49.5db |
I then chose the ones with better readings and put them into my SX1012 and measure (the noise reading represents the noise level of 4 fans together):
| Model | Noise level | CPU temperature |
| Room temperature | 28°C | |
| EFB0412MD | 48.1db | 69°C |
| EFB0412VHD | 58.2db | 65°C |
| MF40201VX-1000C-G99 | 56.8db | 66°C |
Looking at the results, EFB0412MD seems to be able to produce sufficiently good temperature reading with acceptable noise level. Most importantly, they are really cheap (1.5 USD per piece when I bought)
