How to Install an 80mm Fan in your Framework Desktop

Escrito Por: Alex Diaz-Kokaisl

Comentários: 5

How to Install an 80mm Fan in your Framework Desktop

Dificuldade

Moderate

Passos

Tempo necessário

15 - 30 minutes

Introdução

Follow this guide to install a secondary 80mm fan in your Framework Desktop.

The Framework Desktop supports a 80mm fan with a standard 4-pin connector. For detailed fan requirements, click here.

The guide shows installing a Noctua NF-A8 80mm fan. If installing a different fan, mileage may vary.

This fan is completely optional. In thermal simulations, Framework saw that there wasn't a significant difference having the 80mm fan vs not.

Ferramentas

Framework Desktop Screwdriver

Passo 1

Before you begin repairs, shut down your desktop from the operating system and unplug it.
Wait one minute before continuing to allow your Desktop to fully power down.
Make sure your Framework Desktop Screwdriver has the Phillips #2 bit (labeled as PH2) facing outwards. If it's not, pull the bit out and flip it.

Passo 2

If you installed the Handle on your Desktop, follow this step. Otherwise, skip it.
Rotate the Handle's screw threads counterclockwise on both sides until it comes free.
Remove the Handle.

Passo 3

Use your finger to lift up the two D-rings on the Top Panel screws.

Passo 4

Use your fingers to twist the screw counter-clockwise and loosen it.
Remove the Top Panel screw.

Passo 5

Repeat the same procedure for the other Top Panel screw.

Passo 6

Slide the Top Panel towards the rear of the computer to release the clips securing it to the chassis.
If you're having a hard time gripping the Top Panel, use the screw holes to get a better handhold.
Lift the Top Panel off the chassis and remove it.

Passo 7

Use your fingers to pull the Front Panel off the magnets securing it to the chassis.

Passo 8

Use your fingers to grip the top of the Right Panel and slide it upward to release its clips.
Remove the Right Panel.

Passo 9

While holding the Desktop steady, use your Framework Desktop Screwdriver to remove the eight 4.0 mm‑long Phillips screws securing the top plate.

Passo 10

Lift the top plate off the Desktop and remove it.

Passo 11

Lay the right side of the Desktop on your work surface so the Mainboard is facing upward.

Passo 12

Orient the fan so its label is facing away from the chassis fan grille and the cable is pointing up.
If your fan has an arrow indicating airflow direction, make sure it's pointed towards the heatsink.
If you're using a different fan, orient it such that the fan is blowing into the Desktop, not away.
Insert the fan into the chassis and along the front plate, making sure that the screw holes in the chassis and the fan are aligned.

Hi, I've read Noctua's opinion on how the air would flow and they say they measured with getting the air out of the desktop: "yielded slightly lower temperatures, but at the expense of extra noise emission", yet you say to flow inwards. Also what I wonder and I'm 100% sure is that the front magnetic panel with/without the tiles yield totally different results. Can you please elaborate a little on how to use the fan to get the temps down? And also maybe it would be a nice idea to open-source the front magnetic panel for 3D printing so we can print one that does not restrict the air flow holes in the chasis. I don't mind so much about the estetics but I want to keep my power button :).
Context: I live in Greece and for me cooling is esential on all my electronics so I would like to improve my freshly new Desktop with the best cooling possible.
Thank you very much and keep the great projects comming!

Cristi Domsa -

I was wondering the same thing about the fan placement direction. Overall, I think air pushing in from the front would be better, so it brings a bit of airflow over the SSD too, and the hot air can leave at the back of the case, where there is a bigger exhaust opening.

And I'm sure about the front plate too, that it affects airflow. There are already 3D printed versions available. See "Forgework" on X. They made a vent-style front plate designed for airflow, so you cannot put tiles on that one. I actually suggested they create a design where the top 3 rows are vents optimized for airflow and the bottom 4 are left for the tiles. Hope they will make it.

Peter -

Pushing inside the air was my fisrt thought also but then you create a lot of positive presure inside and I don't think it's so beneficial as the case needs to be very well designed so that all that air goes out to the back... also the down holes on the front are important as I think about it :).
Forgework basically printed a 3x7 tile as I can see, so the venting optimization is not there as the front panel itself restricts the air. The front panel is opensourced by Framework here https://github.com/FrameworkComputer/Fra... . Found the magnets (neodyum 5x5x1 or 6x4x1 should be more than enough) but still searching for the button sollution. The tiles files are here: https://www.printables.com/model/1397765... . So basically only the button remains to be found :)).

Cristi Domsa - 13/11/25

Definitelly the case naturally flows much more hot air from the front holes after 2 days of hardcore using...

Cristi Domsa -

Passo 13

Use your Framework Desktop Screwdriver to install the four screws securing the secondary fan.
Most fans of this type use self-tapping screws that will carve threads into your fan's screw holes. This is normal and necessary for the fan to be secured.

Passo 14

Orient the fan cable so its two vertical lines are facing you.
Slide the fan cable over the four-pronged connector labeled "Sys Fan 2," making sure the orange label slots between the vertical lines.
You can also connect the cable into the "Sys Fan 1" slot depending on the cable's length and orientation.

Passo 15

Move the fan cable underneath the heat sink and tuck it behind the silver screw post.

Passo 16

Rotate the Desktop so it sits upright on your work surface.

Passo 17

Place the top plate on top of the Desktop, making sure it slots into the chassis so the orange circles are visible.

Passo 18

Make sure the matching screw hole on the top plate labeled "5/8" is slotted on the inside of the Chassis so that the orange circle is visible.

Passo 19

While holding the Desktop steady, use your Framework Desktop Screwdriver to install the eight 4.0 mm‑long Phillips screws securing the top plate.

Passo 20

Slide the Right Panel onto the right edge of the chassis, from top to bottom, and press it flat to ensure its clips are slotted into place.
There should be a small gap between the bottom of the Right Panel and the silver base.
Push the Right Panel towards the base of the computer to engage the clips.

Passo 21

Lay the bottom of the Front Panel on the small, protruding lip in the silver base to align its tabs.
Press the Front Panel flat to the chassis and let it align to the magnets.

Passo 22

Slide the Left Panel onto the left edge of the chassis and press it flat to ensure its clips are slotted into place.
There should be a small gap between the bottom of the Left Panel and the silver base.
Push the Left Panel towards the base of the computer to close the gap and engage the clips.

Passo 23

Orient the Top Panel so its arrow is pointing towards the rear of the computer.
While holding the Top Panel at a slight downward angle, slide it across the top of the chassis (from rear to front) until you feel its clips catch.
There should be a small gap between the Top Panel and the front of the Desktop.
Lay the Top Panel flat on the chassis to align the remaining clips.

Passo 24

While securing the computer with one hand, use the other hand to slide the Top Panel towards the front of the computer to close the gap and engage the clips.