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Thread ID: 95792	2008-12-17 05:48:00	Noisy desktop fan	arko (9074)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
730022	2008-12-17 05:48:00	Hi team I have an acer desktop which has a noisy fan when gaming or general net surfing. I have just had a second hard drive fitted -not sure if that has any bearing on this, but is this an indication of any problems, or just a cheap noisy fan. Any help would be appreciated:confused:	arko (9074)
730023	2008-12-17 05:53:00	It could be a sign of it going, but on the other hand it might not be. The most basic step to take would be to buy a can of compressed air and use it to clean all the fans. You could also start it up while the case is open and see if all the fans seem to be spinning properly. If the noise is really a problem, you could do what I did a replace the fan (or fans) with quieter ones. This is only if you have money to burn on this sort of thing though. Larger fans with a lower dBA rating should be quieter. Are you sure the noise is a fan and not the new hard drive? Just a thought. Seems unlikely if the problem only happens when you're doing specific things though.	Bussani (14313)
730024	2008-12-17 06:19:00	Definitly the fan and seems noisier than before the new drive was fitted. The desktop is only about 2 years old, but that might not mean too much	arko (9074)
730025	2008-12-17 06:29:00	Acers are not known for having High quality internals sometimes - fans especially - Which fan is it ?? Being two years old will mean its had plenty of time to get crap in the bearings / Sleeve - If its only a case fan, replace it - they are cheap enough and not worth trying to fix, you can blow them out, but that will only be a temp fix, as dirt and dust acts like grinding paste. Usually if a customer has a noisy fan I simply replace it - OEM's less than $5.00 ( 80mm Basic Fan) Any "proper" computer place will have them - Example from Ascent (www.ascent.co.nz) starting at just under $9 upwards.	wainuitech (129)
730026	2008-12-17 06:51:00	Acers are not known for having High quality internals sometimes - fans especially - Which fan is it ?? Being two years old will mean its had plenty of time to get crap in the bearings / Sleeve - If its only a case fan, replace it - they are cheap enough and not worth trying to fix, you can blow them out, but that will only be a temp fix, as dirt and dust acts like grinding paste. Usually if a customer has a noisy fan I simply replace it - OEM's less than $5.00 ( 80mm Basic Fan) Any "proper" computer place will have them - Example from Ascent (www.ascent.co.nz) starting at just under $9 upwards. I am having a similar problem. Since new, my desktop has made an annoying hum, quite loud. Today I replaced the ps with a Corsair 550w VX (see my thread here) (pressf1.pcworld.co.nz) but the hum/whine is still present; no worries - the old ps was a cheapie Hyena so I am not going to miss it. My assumption is that the noise must be from the cpu fan as there is no case fan and nothing else would make a constant noise (its not a hd or cd/dvd). The cpu is a Prescott P4. Is the fan easily replaced, or is there the hassle of renewing thermal paste on the cpu itself?	Strommer (42)
730027	2008-12-17 06:56:00	You should be able to buy a replacement heatsink / fan Steve . So, you'll have to reapply thermal paste I've got 3 here doing nothing lol Here's one ( . elive . co . nz/intel-p4-fan-socket-heatsink-p0099 . php" target="_blank">www . elive . co . nz)	Speedy Gonzales (78)
730028	2008-12-17 07:00:00	My assumption is that the noise must be from the cpu fan as there is no case fan and nothing else would make a constant noise Could be the CPU fan, normally if you have the side off the case and listen real careful - and stop the other case fans for a few moments theres only normally two other fans - the CPU and PSU. (maybe a graphic card fan if it has one). I have known some "cases' to be the cause of the Hum as well - Something in their design or construction and the fans natural harmonics (shoot big word for tonight ) :p :lol: just cause a hum. Does the CPU fan sound like its the noisy one ?? and does it do it instantly from the first time you hit the power button ?? Prob gonna get ridiculed for this comment :nerd: -- BUT done it hundreds of times NEVER damaged anything yet --- IF you think the CPU fan does make the Hum instantly - one way to tell for sure -- With the PC turned Off, and the side off the case - hold a plastic pen in the CPU fan to stop it from turning - turn the PC on the PC will start to boot - Should be no hum, pull out the Pen the fan will start - DONT hold the fan still for more than a few seconds other wise the CPU may overheat.	wainuitech (129)
730029	2008-12-17 07:13:00	I have had a permanent hum on both our machines since I installed internal card readers in the cases but in the wifes machine it was the only way to get a front USB without buying a new case	gary67 (56)
730030	2008-12-17 07:28:00	You should be able to buy a replacement heatsink / fan Steve. So, you'll have to reapply thermal paste I've got 3 here doing nothing lol Here's one (www.elive.co.nz) Ughh. :stare: The thought of removing the fan/heatsink, doing a new paste job and especially muscling down the clamps on the new fan/heatsink - all this does not appeal to me. Can it be done without taking the mobo out? I'll do it I guess because I'm fed up with the noise. I just freak a bit at the amount of pressure needed to clamp down the unit on the cpu. Yes I had a look at the $19 Elive page, found it with Pricespy and a socket 478 search (hope I have the 478 correct). The next price was $41 but still does not say "silent" or have a db rating. Do you really have 3 socket 478 fan/heatsinks?! :) Originally Posted by wainuitech: Could be the CPU fan, normally if you have the side off the case and listen real careful - and stop the other case fans for a few moments theres only normally two other fans - the CPU and PSU. (maybe a graphic card fan if it has one). I have known some "cases' to be the cause of the Hum as well - Something in their design or construction and the fans natural harmonics (shoot big word for tonight ) just cause a hum. Does the CPU fan sound like its the noisy one ?? and does it do it instantly from the first time you hit the power button ?? Prob gonna get ridiculed for this comment -- BUT done it hundreds of times NEVER damaged anything yet --- IF you think the CPU fan does make the Hum instantly - one way to tell for sure -- With the PC turned Off, and the side off the case - hold a plastic pen in the CPU fan to stop it from turning - turn the PC on the PC will start to boot - if no hum pull out the Pen the fan will start - DONT hold the fan still for more than a few seconds other wise the CPU may overheat. Ha! I actually thought of stopping the fan to see if the noise stopped. Can't see that it would matter if its only done for a second or two and the cpu is not hot to begin with. Or maybe disconnect the power lead to the fan? There is no graphics card fan. A harmonic case... hmmmnnn, interesting... well, I put my hand on the case sides and top but the hum is still there so I guess the case is not resonating. The noise does start instantly when powering / booting up. Starts with a low whine for couple of seconds then stays at a constant hum unless there is a lot of cpu activity such as video encoding or virus/malware scans - then the hum increases. You can hear it in the next room if the telly, radio, etc is not on. Probably no one else would be bothered but I heard it 4 years ago the first time I turned the pc on when it was new and it annoyed me back then.	Strommer (42)
730031	2008-12-17 07:46:00	You dont have to remove the mobo. Just turn it off, lay the case down on something. Undo the retaining clips, remove the fan/heatsink. Apply the thermal paste (after you remove the pad on the heatsink) Replace it I've never removed the mobo, if I need to reapply thermal paste Yup here they are :p (www.imagef1.net.nz) I dont really need any of these, (well maybe 1), since the other PC here is a P4. This is 775 pin. So these fans wont fit	Speedy Gonzales (78)
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