Thecus N2100 Hardware Modifications
From NAS Website
Please keep in mind that hardware modifications void your warranty. And although they may seem to be working on the first and second view, they may still be a machine-killer later.
FAN mods
The default 40mm fan in the N2100 is pretty noisy. Replacing it with an quieter part yields a noticeable difference in sound levels from the unit.
The Rasurbo 40mm fan from QuietPC (they ship worldwide) does the job. To replace the part simply remove the SATA cage, unscrew & unplug the fan then do the same in reverse for the replacement part. Job done, sanity saved!
The silenX iXtrema PRO 40/10mm 3200U/min 5CFM 14db(A) [1] available from silenx.com (worldwide), pcsilent.de (germany), pcsilent.nl (netherlands) or acousticpc.com [2] does a tremendously good job without any hardware modification. Both, speed and air flow volume are better than for the original fan! So, further you will hear just the hard disk's noise!
Another solution is: silenX iXtrema PRO 40/20mm, 3000rpm 6CFM! 14db(A) [3] This fan is 20mm thick instead of 10mm so it won't fit in the thecus. However it can be mounted outside on the same holes (use the silicon fan mounts from silenX come with fan. Remove the hardisk block first for easy mounting). Fan air direction should be blow out of the box. Fan wire can go through a fan hole to the print.
However, the silenX iXtrema PRO 40/10mm is only 5 CFM, while the original stock fan is 5.7.
Adding a SECOND silenX iXtrema PRO blowing air INSIDE the device helped to drop the temperature by 15 degrees! You need to do some drilling from the side of the case, and use the splitter cable [4].
Works great!
A word from a reseller technician:
- do not do that unless you have thorough knowledge of airflow dynamics
- the first items dying from a mod like this are your precious hard disks
- take good care of
- the maximum speed of the replacement fan
- the air volume pumped by the replacement fan
-> those values need to be very close (bigger is better) to those of the original fan, otherwise you'll have to implement different fan controlling mechanisms.
And why would a NAS drive need to be quiet? It can be put at a place where the sound doesn't matter...
And yet, blowing air inside the unit proved to work. Actually, being tired of HDDs which run really hot, I cut a 100mm hole in the cover and installed a 120 mm fan [5]
Boy, this monster is quiet and efficient. At 54 (!) CFM (~10 times the original fan) it can drop HDD temperatures from their regular 65C to 35C.
Other mods
For info on compatible hardware, such as RAM, printers, hard drives, wireless etc., check out the Thecus N2100 Hardware page.