Blackmagic Design Decklink Mini Monitor/ Recorder 4k - Fan Mod

OVERVIEW

The fan on the Blackmagic Design Decklink Mini Monitor & Recorder 4k cards are notoriously noisy. I had already picked up a replacement fan from Blackmagic once, and while that was quieter for a bit, it ultimately got a bit whiny again.

So I designed this little adapter to allow the Decklink to be retrofitted with a standard 40x10mm PC fan. Specifically, I used the Noctua NF-A4x10 FLX (12v - 3pin).

I bought the 12v- 3pin version so that I could connect it directly to the Decklink fan header (by cutting the wire off the old fan and using it's connector), but I've ended up being lazy and connecting the fan to a header on my motherboard. If going this route, you could pick the 4pin fan if you prefer.

The adapter connects to the heatsink using the original fan screws. The Noctua fan is then attached to the adapter using M3x12mm button head bolts. The clearance is pretty tight, so the bolts need to be 12mm long. Any shorter and they won't screw into the adapter, any longer and they will hit the heatsink.

I've used an infrared thermometer to check the heatsink temps. With the new fan, it has stayed locked to 40°c. The adapter also hasn't showed any signs of deforming or melting (printed in PLA+).

INSTALLATION

1 - Remove original heatsink fan
2 - Attach adapter to heatsink (using original screws)
3 - Attach Noctua Fan to adapter (using M3x12mm bolts)

COMPONENTS

Fan - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B009NQLT0M

Screws - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C4NH5VB6

NOTE

I originally designed it for the Mini Monitor 4k, but I now also own a Mini Recorder 4k and can confirm that it works exactly the same.