Antec PSU Fan Noise

SoildSnake · 2 Jan 2011 at 18:06

Hi guys my PSU sometimes makes an annoying noice; pretty sure its the actual fan and not the electronics since the noise / vibration stopped when i put something in the way of the blades. I have cleaned the unit; i am it mounted with the anti-vibration frame that comes with my Antec P182 case; it is also less than 6 months old since the first one died on me.

What else could i do; is there software that can program the speed of the fan? Or some kind of lubricant i could use? Thanks

Tealc · 2 Jan 2011 at 18:29

It may be that at a certain speed the fan vibrates at just the right frequency for it to resonate with your case. Fan speed will be controlled by the psu itself and you won't be able to influence it electronically without opening the psu and invalidating your warranty. If it were vibrating all the time then lubrication might work but probably not if it only happens sometimes. I'm not sure what frame that comes with the p182 but my p183 came with nothing. Vantec (I think it was anyway) do a silicone gasket which was effective in my old case.

simbady · 2 Jan 2011 at 18:39

Try tightening up with four screws around the fan shroud, my Antec PSU used to click until i tightened these.

SoildSnake · 3 Jan 2011 at 00:33

How would i lubricate it and with what? It would have to be a spray in order to do it right?
I have ensued the screws are tight from the PSU and the actual case; by fan shroud do you mean the actual unit itself?

Tealc · 3 Jan 2011 at 10:24

It's unusual to actually need to lubricate a fan as they are self lubricating but any light oil will work. Unless the fan blades are of the easy removal variety (unlikely in a PSU), you'd need to dismantle the PSU, remove the fan and then the blades to apply a drop of oil to the motor. You'd invalidate your warranty and considering the noise is intermittent you'd probably have little or no success in stopping the noise.

If I were not concerned about warranties I'd probably just do a fan swap.

If I were concered then I'd be looking at RMA.

SoildSnake · 3 Jan 2011 at 13:57

Would this be indicative of a failing PSU then? What i was thinking is putting a case fan near the PSU; therefore the PSU's actual fan wont go so high; thus no annoying resonating/vibrating noise. Would this be acceptable or would people recommend an RMA?

Justintime · 3 Jan 2011 at 14:03

To lubricate anything you have to break the warranty seal, RMA it. I would test the PSU outside of the case to make sure its not something inside there thats causing the vibrations.

solado · 3 Jan 2011 at 14:03

Not so much a failing psu, but regardless it shouldn't produce any noise other than a slight hum same as any fan.
You could put an additonal fan near the PSU but i doubt it will make much of a difference; could be the bearing on the fan are not quite right.

I would look into an RMA personaly; why pay for a product you need to repair your self

SoildSnake · 3 Jan 2011 at 17:04

Unfortunately the issue is very intermittent and pretty hard to tell if it is really there so i am not sure an RMA would be accepted

solado · 3 Jan 2011 at 17:34

When you RMA it, make sure that you include an additional note to say what causes the fault, such as under extreme load, after how long etc. so that they can test it properly.