MSI N430GT is really loud - Suggestions on how to reduce the noise?

anagoge · 14 Aug 2011 at 15:04

Hi everyone.

I have an MSI 430GT that is incredibly loud and I'd like to reduce the noise of it. I've tried using Afterburner, but that didn't do anything. I'm guessing that the card doesn't have a way to modify the fan speed via software, but please let me know if this is wrong. Is there a way to control the fan speed via software?

I bought a Zalman Fan Mate 2 fan speed controller, which I was hoping would take care of my problems, but it has three pins and the card's fan connector has four, meaning that it's useless to me. If I can't modify the fan speed via software, what can I use instead of this controller?

Any help on reducing the noise of this card would be much appreciated. It's driving me crazy.

jellybeard999 · 14 Aug 2011 at 15:19

Is it a full size 4 pin connector? If so, it will still work on the Zalman, but you'll need to remove one side of the Zalman's connector to make it fit.

PwnDirect · 14 Aug 2011 at 16:20

What model is it standard or OC?

& what sort of temps is it running at idle & load.

Tealc · 14 Aug 2011 at 16:30

You can get adapters that convert 4 pin graphics card fan connectors to standard 3/4 pin fan connectors and then use the Zalman or z fan controller.

That said you should be able to adjust the speed of the fan.

Does the fan connector have all pins populated. Red, green, yellow and blue or something?

anagoge · 14 Aug 2011 at 21:45

Thanks for the replies.

jellybeard, I don't think the connector is full size, as even if I broke the side off the Zalman connector, the pins don't line up properly and wouldn't sit inside the connector housing on the card.

PwnDirect, It's an OC version. I don't know what temperature it's running at as nothing I use seems to give me that information including Afterburner and RivaTuner.

Tealc, a 4-pin to 3 pin converter is exactly what I'd love but I can't find one. Can you link me to one please? And no, only three of the pins are populated.

I've taken some photos to show you what I've got.

Thanks for any further help you can give me.

jellybeard999 · 15 Aug 2011 at 12:11

anagoge said:
Thanks for the replies.

jellybeard, I don't think the connector is full size, as even if I broke the side off the Zalman connector, the pins don't line up properly and wouldn't sit inside the connector housing on the card.

Personally, I'd either buy an aftermarket cooler if the card was hot or crimp a 3pin connector/splice in a 3pin cable to the card's fan if it can cope with the lower fan speed.

anagoge · 15 Aug 2011 at 13:33

I don't really want to have to pay even more money just to get a quieter fan. Could someone link me to a 4 pin to 3 pin converter? Surely that would solve my problems, but I can't find one.

anagoge · 19 Aug 2011 at 23:29

Sorry for the bump, but I would really appreciate some further advice.

Tealc · 20 Aug 2011 at 13:49

Missed your post sorry.

Anyway this is the cable I have.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PCI-E-Exp...002?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f0c1c2dea

..or something similar anyway.

The 4 pin connector is the XHP-4 type which for PWM control via your graphics driver needs the blue wire in the fourth hole. It could be that your card doesn't have a PWM output and cannot therefore control it's own fan. It could be that the manufacturer simply didn't want you slowing the fan down. Looking at the images it seems the PCB doesn't even have a PWM pin.

Be very careful of temperatures if you do slow the fan down as it may overheat. Anything under 90 degrees under load is fine.

Another option, now that I know which model you have.

I would say that you may be better server by removing the fan and shroud off the card and fitting a proper 25mm fan to the heatsink with a cable tie or two.