ATI 5870 making strange noise

[Redgie]

Recently under heavy gaming my 5870 has begun making a strange noise, it's not too loud but sounds like the fan scraping along the heatsink on the card.

However, I benchmarked it in another PC and it never did it, but it only made it up to 61c (Normally makes the noise at 65c). So I assumed it was the fan and cranked the fan to 100%, still didn't make the noise.

Anybody any idea what it could be? It's not catching on anything in the case, it's definately the 5870, 100% fan doesn't cause it to happen, only hittin 65c does.

I don't want to RMA it for this because they'd have to physically game on it or bench it higher for it to make the noise, but I'm afraid it could be the bearing or something going and I don't want it to suddenly die

 

[gug54321]

probably the fan making a noise at certain speeds then dissapear again as they pass through to a higher speed, my gtx460 had the same which i rma'd, i would have probably not bothered if it wasnt making the noise at idle, this is usually a dry bearing or unbalance im sure somebody more experienced will confirm.

 

[Jupiter]

I wouldn't worry too much about it. Unless its bothering you, in which you can just rma it!

 

[Redgie]

It is bothering me, but if I RMA it they will say it's not a fault most likely.

Thanks for the advice gug, I'll test different fan speeds later

 

[PapaLazaru]

Sometimes they can pop out a bit. Just give the fan a gently poke with your thumb and see if it pops back in.