PSU fan runs in STANDBY

[pilihp]

XPSP2 Home AM bios new Gigabyte mobo

In standby mode the psu fan continues to run. With hibernate the fan does stop.

I also have an newish Asus mobo with Amibios and XPSP2 Pro - With this the fan DOES stop in standby mode.

The psu's in both machines are modern and similar 400W ATX types but are of different makes.

How can I get the fan to stop in standby mode with the Gigabyte setup? Is it an issue with the OS, the mobo, the bios or the psu?

 

[euston]

I would hope that it would. The PSU remains active while the system is on standby. The fan is a matter for the PSU, not the power control for which the operating system is responsible. Otherwise, heat could build up in the PSU and next thing the fire brigade is knocking on your door.

Always expect the unexpected and imagine the unimaginable.

 

[pilihp]

euston - many thanks. So you are saying that it is the particular type of psu that determines whether the fan stays ON or not. I shall swop over the two PSUs in an attempt to prove this. I find the heating of the various components in the psu to be very small indeed on standby so am surprised that the manufacturer thinks it necessary to keep the fan running.

 

[euston]

Different makes of PSUs will behave differently but they are all designed with safety in mind or at least the decent ones are (Antec and ThermalTake for example). The fan uses hardly any current and it is vital for safety that no heat build up can occur. I have never experienced a catastrophic heating problem with a PSU. One once began to give off a hot burning sort of smell and when it was opened up (not advisable as there will be some hefty capacitors within) I found that that a component had caused the main PCB to become charred. This PSU had been in use for a couple of years. Deposits of dust and fibres can build up with use so continuous air flow is absolutely vital. Finally, PSU fan speed temperature sensors rely on moving air to ensure a prompt fan response, i.e. speed increase, to heat build up.

There is no substitute for quality as far as PSUs are concerned. I use the best that I can afford. The best are almost always the quietest.

Always expect the unexpected and imagine the unimaginable.