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Noisy fan
- Thread starter pechenegs
- Start date
How are the thermals of the CPU? If they're OK, you might want to try connecting the fan to the 5v lead from the Molex connector (red in the US) instead of the 12v (yellow). Please note this will reduce the cooling capability so don't do this if your CPU is running hot. Best practice would be to replace the fan, but that's not what you asked. NOTE: you can also get 7v by connecting to the 12v & the 5v leads. At least this is what I read!
Tony
Users helping Users...
Tony
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- Thread starter
- #3
I'll give more info on this.
The buzzing noise started about a week ago, I cleaned out the case fan and also cleaned out the power supply unit/fan, put the case back together and buzzing stopped, only for it to return last night.
So, I would take it, that it is probably the case fan and not the cpu one?
Member of ASAP Alliance of Security Analysis Professionals
under the name khazars
The buzzing noise started about a week ago, I cleaned out the case fan and also cleaned out the power supply unit/fan, put the case back together and buzzing stopped, only for it to return last night.
So, I would take it, that it is probably the case fan and not the cpu one?
Member of ASAP Alliance of Security Analysis Professionals
under the name khazars
- Moderator
- #4
It's simple enough to determine which fan is making noise.
Open the case, and stop each fan with your finger (for not more than about a second, on the CPU fan).
When you find the fan that is making the noise, replace it.
Most fans (unfortunately) use a bushing instead of bearings. The bushings wear, and the noise that you're hearing is the shaft vibrating around inside of the bushing.
Replace the fan. Preferably with one with a bearing.
If you can find the same size fan, you don't have to replace the heat sink, just remove the screws that go into the fins and replace the fan.
Just my 2¢
-Cole's Law: Shredded cabbage
--Greg
Open the case, and stop each fan with your finger (for not more than about a second, on the CPU fan).
When you find the fan that is making the noise, replace it.
Most fans (unfortunately) use a bushing instead of bearings. The bushings wear, and the noise that you're hearing is the shaft vibrating around inside of the bushing.
Replace the fan. Preferably with one with a bearing.
If you can find the same size fan, you don't have to replace the heat sink, just remove the screws that go into the fins and replace the fan.
Just my 2¢
-Cole's Law: Shredded cabbage
--Greg
gbaughma said:
I would agree, but in this order: SHUT DOWN the PC, restart it while holding one of the fans. Or, on a running PC, stop the fan by pressing on the center, not the blades. I say this because I once went to stop an Antec 120mm fan with my finger to the blades and ended up with a shattered fan blade. No blood, just a useless fan.
Tony
Users helping Users...
- Thread starter
- #6
If this is a home PC and you know what you're doing, then replacing a fan in the PSU is relatively straightforward. They're usually either 120mm or 80mm units, and the wires will possibly need soldering onto the pcb inside. Beware of high voltages retained by the primary circuit capacitors!
If, however, this is a commercial job, then it's not generally financially worthwhile going to the trouble of taking it apart to replace the fan - just go buy a complete new PSU and get yourself a 12 month warranty.
ROGER - G0AOZ.
If, however, this is a commercial job, then it's not generally financially worthwhile going to the trouble of taking it apart to replace the fan - just go buy a complete new PSU and get yourself a 12 month warranty.
ROGER - G0AOZ.
- Thread starter
- #8
ok, mission accomplished, put in a new cpu!
However, I noticed something i haven't seen before on the case fan, it had two plugs like the ones on the cpu but it didn't plug into the motherboard it plugged into one of the cpu lead plugs.
It had one to plug in and one to be plugged into which meant I had to plug two of the plugs from the cpu leads into two other plugs, the fan case and the light on the unit, and then use the other plugs to plug unto the hard drive and hte cd/dvd rom drives.
Anyone seen this, usually the fan case and the led just plug into the motherboard instead of into the cpu leads!
Member of ASAP Alliance of Security Analysis Professionals
under the name khazars
However, I noticed something i haven't seen before on the case fan, it had two plugs like the ones on the cpu but it didn't plug into the motherboard it plugged into one of the cpu lead plugs.
It had one to plug in and one to be plugged into which meant I had to plug two of the plugs from the cpu leads into two other plugs, the fan case and the light on the unit, and then use the other plugs to plug unto the hard drive and hte cd/dvd rom drives.
Anyone seen this, usually the fan case and the led just plug into the motherboard instead of into the cpu leads!
Member of ASAP Alliance of Security Analysis Professionals
under the name khazars
By "cpu" I'm assuming you mean "PSU" which is a power supply unit. The connectors coming out of the fan are an either/or option. Either the fan is powered directly by the standard 4-pin Molex connector OR it gets its power from a Molex plug that is a pass-through plug so if you are short on Molex connectors you can use the pass-through to power another device (like an optical drive) with the same plug.
Sort of like those cheap Xmas lights that have a socket on the back of their AC plug, allowing you to gang several sets together.
Tony
Users helping Users...
Sort of like those cheap Xmas lights that have a socket on the back of their AC plug, allowing you to gang several sets together.
Tony
Users helping Users...
- Thread starter
- #10
Tony,
this FYI, you can use a sheet of paper folded to stop a fan. There isn't much resistance to the paper but it is enough to stop the fan. Just hold it so the fan rubs against the paper rather than hits against it. That means you are putting the paper from the blowing side.
Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.
this FYI, you can use a sheet of paper folded to stop a fan. There isn't much resistance to the paper but it is enough to stop the fan. Just hold it so the fan rubs against the paper rather than hits against it. That means you are putting the paper from the blowing side.
Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.
Ed,
Good tip, thanks. I always appreciate modifications to my suggestions that make them more practical. I have learned too many things "the hard way" resulting in broken or damaged equipment, usually the result of my impatience.
Tony
Users helping Users...
Good tip, thanks. I always appreciate modifications to my suggestions that make them more practical. I have learned too many things "the hard way" resulting in broken or damaged equipment, usually the result of my impatience.
Tony
Users helping Users...
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