Norco has a reputation for providing inexpensive server rackmount cases that are oftentimes good enough for many home and small business applications. Being server cases, popular models like the RPC-4220 and RPC-4020 are built to be installed in server rooms where airflow takes precedence over noise. Traditional 90mm fans were found in the center partitions of those models. While the typical quality Delta units moved a lot of air, the fan speed required with the smaller fans also yielded a lot of noise, which is not desirable for a lot of users. Cavediver (who can be found on the ServeTheHome.com forums and [H]ardforums fabricated a fan bracket for the popular Norco cases that incorporated 120mm fans. 120mm fans can spin slower while moving a similar amount of air due to their larger fin areas. With the introduction of the RPC-4224, Norco started using the 120mm fan center partition design, and made the bracket available to end users for a relatively nominal amount (something like $11 not including shipping). This is pretty much a simple, install fans on the new, unscrew and remove the old, screw in the new, and hook up fans to a power source job so I have some illustrations to show users what this is like.

Let me say this, for home users, you WANT 120mm fans in the center partition! The noise difference  is amazing.

The Installation

First, here is a shot of three partitions, the stock RPC-4220 partition with the 90mm Delta fans, the 120mm Norco bracket with three fans, and the 120mm bracket with no fans.

Taken outside, the original RPC-4220 fan partition and two 120mm fan partitions

If you have never installed fans before, you need to remember that the fans should be pointed in the direction of the rear of the case when they are on after the bracket’s installation. You do not want the airflow to go from the rear of the case to the front. After you have the 120mm bracket prepped, it is time to pull out the old partition (feel free to do this in reverse order).

Norco RPC-4220 fan partition removed

Everyone will probably install these differently as there is a bit of manual work to get the new bracket to fit. I was running late for a dinner so I used the “brute force I go to the gym every day and can bend steel” method to install the bracket. Do not do this as it can warp the case and the bracket as you can see below. Again, do not do this.

Brute force installation method yields poor results for partition installation

One other tip is to do this installation when initially purchasing a system so you are not faced with tight quarters when maneuvering the bracket into place or the other option of dis-assembly. For example, the SFF-8087 connectors need to bend a bit to fit. You want to think about the routing well before installation.

SFF-8087 cables need to bend a bit to install with the 120mm fan bracket

I should note that I had an issue with some of the shorter cables making the new routing between the Norco backplanes and the HP SAS Expander.

Once installed, one needs to wire the fans into the motherboard or the included power distribution point. Supermicro boards tend to have fan headers on the far side of the board specifically to control case fans, so I decided to use those.

Three 120mm fans wired to the Supermicro X8SI6-F

Another key point is to carefully lay out your cabling prior to installing the bracket.

120mm fan partition installed

There is not much room to get cables through the partition (which is a good thing for airflow) so prep work and foresight here come in handy.

Norco 120mm fan bracket installed

One could reverse the bracket and put the fans on the other side, but I prefer this installation so I can route the power wires directly to 3-pin headers. It is actually better to install the fans on the reverse side so that you can unscrew the non-hot swap fans without removing the partition.

Conclusion

If you Norco RPC-4220 or RPC-4020 is within earshot (i.e. not in a server room) do this mod. The total cost is quite a bit since you need four 120mm fans and the bracket. I think I spent $13 on the fans and $20ish shipped on the bracket so it costs about $60 per chassis. On the other hand, using a fan controller with the stock fans is louder, moves less air than the original fans, and still costs $15-20, but it is an easier mod. Another nice thing is that all of my fans can now be monitored via the motherboard.

If you have any installation tips or pictures, please feel free to post in the ServeTheHome.com Chassis and Enclosures Forum.

Related posts:

1. First Look: Norco 2U and 4U JBOD and SAS Expander Chassis Releasing Next Week!