My computer sounds like its gonna blow!!!

[kryptonic]

Lately my fan has been running REALLY loud. And when I say Loud I mean LOUD lol. Sometimes its so loud I think the computer is over heating...Any suggestions?

[nihil]

Well you don't say if it is a laptop or a desktop, however as a general guide.

1. Be careful to discharge static from yourself
2. Clean out all the dust bunnies
3. Run the machine with the case off and see if you can determine which fan is the culprit.
4. Make sure that the fans are firmly seated (screws are tight)
5. Make sure it isn't just a wire in the blades.
6. Check that all the other contents are firmly seated (could be resonance)

If that doesn't work replace the fan(s) that are making the noise.

If you have one of those temperature variable fans turn it to maximum speed or set a low temperature (I have known that sensor mechanism produce this effect when the temperatures were around the threshold and it was constantly trying to adjust).


.

[fourdc]

If its a ball bearing fan you might apply a tiny drop of oil, sewing machine oil with it's eye dropper applicator. As Nihil says, clean it first. Oil with dust makes a crud that dries out and can be a pain to clean later.

[alakhiyar]

Unfortunately,
That is likely the temperature around the system being higher than the norm.
If using a prepackaged HSF from the processor supplier,
You can replace that with a third party HSF with large 120mm fan.

If applicable,
You can also try adding 120mm intake chassis fan.

[nihil]

Hi Alakhiyar,

The actual issue here is not heat but noise. In my experience this is caused by:

1. Dirty fan
2. Fan mounting loose
3. Defective speed controller
4. Fan causing loose components to rattle/resonate
5. Fan about to die

[hexadecimal]

[off topic]
Dayum Nihil, 12k posts?
I think you are close to owning AO lol
[/off topic]

If a fan is making noise just replace it. They are not that expensive.. and it is worth it by not taking the risk.

Few weeks ago at work a customer had brought in there computer. fan making a lot of noise.

Despite our reccomendation of a new fan she had us clean her old one on her cpu...

the next week she came back in PISSSED OFF ther her computer no longer functioned..

I laughed

[alakhiyar]

which fan is making the most noise (psu, heat sink, case etc.)?

If you can't tell, use something softish (a large eraser?) to temporarily stop the fan blades turning. When most of the noise diappears you've found the source.

[nihil]

Hi there hex~, long time no see, how's it hangin man?

If a fan is making noise just replace it. They are not that expensive.. and it is worth it by not taking the risk.

If you take it into a shop that is the best solution as the cost of the fan is less than the labour to clean the existing one

With the CPU, I liken it to having an automobile engine or gearbox "reconditioned"............ replace fan, clean heatsink and replace thermal paste with silver based.

[Aardpsymon]

which fan is making the most noise (psu, heat sink, case etc.)?

If you can't tell, use something softish (a large eraser?) to temporarily stop the fan blades turning. When most of the noise diappears you've found the source.

Don't use fingers, especially not in high speed fans. That can hurt.

stop them by gently poking the wheel in the middle rather than the blades too.

Replacing the thermal paste is always a good idea. I changed my stock paste for arctic silver and CPU temp instantly dropped by 8C.

I tend to give fans the occasional clean, but if they start making bad noises I also just replace them.

[SirDice]

Just a side note, don't forget the fan on your graphics card. I've found that these are usually the cause of the noise. Most use cheap fans and these tend to wear out pretty quickly.