Noisy fans

Iron Goldfish · 6 Oct 2008 at 19:45

A couple of years ago I built a PC. I was very new to the whole thing, and was only really succesful because of the various guides on these forums. My knowledge of this sort of thing is limited.

When it came to cooling, I actually forgot to order a CPU cooler, and in my excitement to start building a PC, I went into a computer shop and just asked for a CPU cooler. I didn't really know what to look for, so I just went with the one they recommended. I can't remember what model it is, but it says Akasa on it, and by the looks of it, I think it's this one.

The case I have has two fans, one at the back, just above the motherboard, and one at the front, behind the hard drive. Unfortunately, my motherboard only has one socket for a fan connector, so I can only have one running.

When I first built my PC and it sprung to life, I thought it was normal for it to sound like a hairdryer. Usually it would be underneath a desk that concealed the noise enough for me to just get used to it. But I've just moved into a room with a smaller desk, and the noise is much more noticable.

What I want to know is if it's normal for my PC to be this loud. I had a look round for some information, and found SpeedFan. I took a screenshot of the speed of my fans, and my temperatures: Screeny

Now I don't know much about what's shown, but I'm guessing the little flame symbols aren't good.

So what could my problem be? Are those fan speeds normal? I'm not sure if it's just one of my fans, or both that are making so much noise. Do I need to replace one/both of the fans?

eiko_magami · 6 Oct 2008 at 20:02

check you have fan control enabled in the bios

jak731 · 6 Oct 2008 at 20:06

i would go get some thermal paste and reseat that cpu cooler now if i was you, 80+ is very high for a e6300,

AtaRo · 6 Oct 2008 at 21:22

reseating your HSF might fix it as suggested by jak731 but replacing your HSF with a much better one like this Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro will probably will make it more quieter.

PCDave · 6 Oct 2008 at 21:32

On a side note

Unfortunately, my motherboard only has one socket for a fan connector, so I can only have one running.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CB-013-AK this will allow you to run two fans from one motherboard socket

psd99 · 6 Oct 2008 at 21:48

If you want proper silent fans get some Noctua ones although I understand that it'll be hard to run any additional on your board.

Kelt · 6 Oct 2008 at 23:09

PCDave said:
On a side note

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CB-013-AK this will allow you to run two fans from one motherboard socket

Or if you want ot run up to 6 fans off a pwm header, get the Cooler Master Wind Rider.

http://www.coolermaster.com/products/product.php?act=detail&id=2521

Iron Goldfish · 7 Oct 2008 at 03:40

Well I found a setting in the bios to enable "quiet fan", and to set target temperatures, but it doesn't look (or sound) like it's made any difference. My processor still looks fit to fry an egg on.

I've been inside the tower, and it definately seems to be the CPU fan that's making hoover noises. Seeing as it's been this noisy from day one, and it's not really keeping my CPU cool at all, I think I'm gonna try the Arctic cooler.

My case fans seem to be running nice and quiet, but I'll get that splitter too. It's always bothered me that I had an idle fan.

Thanks for the help everyone.

One more thing though, it's going to be a few days before my new cooler is delivered. I'm a little worried. With the temperature that my CPU is at, it won't damage it will it? It's probably been running this hot for a long time seeing as I only just discovered that there's a difference between CPU and core temperatures. I've never had any crashes or shut-downs or anything, but I'd like to be sure that continuing to use my PC like this for the next few days won't result in the melted remains of my processor seeping out onto the carpet. :S

robnut · 7 Oct 2008 at 15:37

Try realtemp or coretemp. The speedfan temp can be miles out.