GPU fan making horrible noise on startup

Chimerical · 23 Jan 2009 at 12:45

Recently, I noticed the fan on my graphics card (NVIDIA BFG GeForce 9600GT) has been making a "buzzsaw" kind of noise on startup.
Other than the odd noise my computer was working perfectly fine.

I'm pretty such its the GPU fan, as its pretty loud; I've replaced the rear 80mm for a Sharkoon on my Lian Li V350 case. The only other possible source of noise would be the dual 40mm fan Akasa cooler attached to my HDD, but I'm pretty sure its the GPU now. No cables are hitting any fans as far as I'm aware.

Does anyone have any ideas, experience or suggestions on this?

nelsby · 23 Jan 2009 at 12:48

Some GPUs do make odd noises on startup as the capacitors settle down (or something like that). I'm not sure it would be described as "buzzsaw" like though.

Panser_bjorn · 23 Jan 2009 at 12:49

Sounds like the bearings in the fan have gone to me. You could replace the fan if it's standard or buy an alternative cooler and install that.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-057-TR

^^^ This would also require a fan of your choice.

Chimerical · 23 Jan 2009 at 14:25

nelsby said:
Some GPUs do make odd noises on startup as the capacitors settle down (or something like that). I'm not sure it would be described as "buzzsaw" like though.

Panser_bjorn said:
Sounds like the bearings in the fan have gone to me. You could replace the fan if it's standard or buy an alternative cooler and install that.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-057-TR

^^^ This would also require a fan of your choice.

Thanks for the replies.

Hmmm, well the noise dissappears after a while, typically about 15 seconds into startup.

The ball-bearings suggestion is interesting. However, the card is only about 5 months old (bought new from OcUK).

I don't really want to go the route of replacing the cooler, as it would void the warranty. I'm mostly worried about whether this issue is causing damage somehow.

If the fan is screwed however, I will have to see about replacing it or RMAing the card.

Kennysevenfold · 23 Jan 2009 at 14:41

On start-up my BFG card fan rattles out 100% for the first 10secs,

does it make that noise when your just generaly on the computer of just as you start up the system.?

EvilOne · 23 Jan 2009 at 14:42

When i reboot, my fan goes to 100% speed right at the start for 2-3 seconds. This is normal as far as i know.

Chimerical · 23 Jan 2009 at 14:44

Kennysevenfold said:
On start-up my BFG card fan rattles out 100% for the first 10secs,

does it make that noise when your just generaly on the computer of just as you start up the system.?

Just when I start up.

I think its something other than running at 100% though, because it would do that anyway. It would always start loud and then die down when Windows loads.

But this sound is much worse.

Kennysevenfold · 23 Jan 2009 at 14:56

Chimerical said:
Just when I start up.

I think its something other than running at 100% though, because it would do that anyway. It would always start loud and then die down when Windows loads.

But this sound is much worse.

tbh why dont you just open the case, and on start-up hold the fan with a finger to stop it spining,

this will help you narrow things down to weather it is the fan and its bearings or is something totally different, no point in getting a new cooler if the card is either faulty or has a few loud capacitors.....

Chimerical · 23 Jan 2009 at 15:03

Kennysevenfold said:
tbh why dont you just open the case, and on start-up hold the fan with a finger to stop it spining,

this will help you narrow things down to weather it is the fan and its bearings or is something totally different, no point in getting a new cooler if the card is either faulty or has a few loud capacitors.....

Yeah, I had it open when I was installing the new 80mm Sharkoon, damn thing wasn't making the noise then.

I will try that though later on.

Chimerical · 23 Jan 2009 at 15:12

Right, well, I can confirm that this sound is only made when the computer boots from "cold" as it were.

I.e. if you restart, it doesn't make the noise again as the PC has already been switched on and warmed up.

Basically, it just happens when you start the computer after its been off for an hour or so. (Sorry, don't know any real technical terms for this kind of thing).

Kennysevenfold · 23 Jan 2009 at 15:27

aka a cold boot lol

well i can just imagin it beeing the caps warming up

does it have any affect on the cards performance whatsoever.?

Chimerical · 23 Jan 2009 at 15:32

Kennysevenfold said:
aka a cold boot lol

well i can just imagin it beeing the caps warming up

does it have any affect on the cards performance whatsoever.?

Don't think so. GTA 4 is running as slow as it ever does

Do you reckon it is the caps then?

Like I said, I'll check properly tonight, seems the PC has to be switched of for a while.

Could it be the motherboard though? (Gigabyte G33 mATX)

Either way, so long as its not a 'fault' then I will cease to care about it.

Kennysevenfold · 23 Jan 2009 at 16:39

Chimerical said:
Don't think so. GTA 4 is running as slow as it ever does Do you reckon it is the caps then?

Like I said, I'll check properly tonight, seems the PC has to be switched of for a while.

Could it be the motherboard though? (Gigabyte G33 mATX)

Either way, so long as its not a 'fault' then I will cease to care about it.

lol gta iV :eek:

such a hardware hogg :mad:

how long have you had the card.? could always rma it.?

Chimerical · 23 Jan 2009 at 18:40

Kennysevenfold said:
lol gta iV such a hardware hogg

how long have you had the card.? could always rma it.?

Had it since May.

Thing is, I don't really know if there is a fault, so RMA could be a waste of time.

I'll see how it goes, squealing capacitors sounds like a common issue, but its still damn annoying, even if its only for ten odd seconds.