Computer operating too loud...

[jackhammerbob]

I do not know if something is malfunctioning or if an old part needs a replacement. I built the computer and it was working perfectly and quietly. However, in the past few months, it has grown louder and louder. I first suspected the fans, so I replaced the fans with new ball bearing fans and the problem persists. Just yesterday, I cleaned out the guts of my computer with several tissues, removing an unbelieveable amount of dustbunnies. I managed to get almost all of the dust particles in between the metallic gaps of the heatsink.

Has anyone has issues like this before? Should I try replacing the heatsink or the power supply? Are they any other parts that are likely to produce alot of noise? How would I go about testing it (I did not restart my computer without a heatsink or power supply, that's just stupid/impossible)? I doubt this would matter but, the computer was built the summer of 2003 2.4 GHz, 1024 DDR RAM, ASUS p4800.

Any input would be much appreciated.

 

[paparazi]

Surely it isn't too dificult just to hear where the noise is coming from?
It may help to carefully touch the centre spinner on all your fans with the blunt end of a pencil, an instant change in tone will reveal the offending item.
Martin


We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.

 

[mradmin]

Hi, if the noise is constant, then it's most likely one of the fans, the hardest to isolate (of course) is one in the powersupply. If you operate the machine without the cover on, you may be able to tell, or try covering the vent slots on the powersupply and see if the sound changes. The noise could also be coming from a hard drive, and if so is definitely a warning to be heeded. Loosening the drive mounting screws may give you a clue to the origin. Good luck with this annoyance...

---Will

 

[jackhammerbob]

Thanks for the quick replies. I've found the problem, the video card. I never knew such a small fan can cause such a loud and constant noise. It's a NVidia 128 MB 8x. Something that cost around 200 when I bought it :-(. No more warranty period. Any suggestions? I've cleaned it, blew all the dust and little dustbunnies off of it. Any other suggestions?

 

[LloydSev]

buy a new fan for it?? they sell aftermarket video coolers....

Computer/Network Technician
CCNA

 

[jackhammerbob]

I have a NVIDIA GeForce4 Ti 4200 with AGP8X would something like this work with it?

http://www.coolerguys.com/840556035404.html

Anyone have a better suggestion? Do I have to manually remove the current fan? I have never done this before and I don't want to damage the video card.

 

[LloydSev]

generally the fans are kept on by plastic clips, which can be "pinched" to release the fan.

that link you posted is a nice setup.

Computer/Network Technician
CCNA

 

[paparazi]

A Vantec Iceberg 4PRO might be an easier option for you to fit than the Artic cooler but either would be better than the original.

http://www.vantecusa.com/p_ccb_a4p.html

Martin

We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.

 

[garebo]

I would suggest you replace the fan.
However, i keep graphite powder and oil in my tool kit. The graphite powder does a much better job than plain oil and lasts much longer as well. The graphite powder comes in a small plastic (vinyl) tube, you can get it at any auto store, or any hardware store.
I peel back the label on the fan, put some graphite powder in first and then add a few drops of oil, the oil spreads the graphite around after you start the machine up again.
Make sure where the label needs to adhere is cleaned off and then close the label to keep the graphite and oil in the fan, use a bit of tape if needed.
Once you power up it will take about 10 seconds or even more for the oil and graphite to mix and work well, and the odd time you even have to do it a second time, but it WILL work.
I use removable ide cases and the fans that come with them are notorious for being very noisy. Thats why i started using the graphite as oil itself doesnt last long, but mixed with graphite it does.
However, for critical fans like the ones for power supply, cpu, vid card, i would only advise oiling to give you time to get a replacement. But for non-critical fans i have found this works and they run for years just fine. My ide removable has been running for many years and i used the graphite and oil once.






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