Rattling chipset fan

Bellboy · 11 Feb 2006 at 14:09

Hope you can advise me - I have the Asus A8N SLi SE motherboard.

I noticed what sounded like either something catching or possibly a loose bearing type noise coming from my newly built computer, which I tracked down to the chipset fan (I think - see circled area of picture. Slightly different mobo but it illustrates what I mean).

It only catches intermittently, by that I mean it is pretty constant but does stop every so often (does this rule out it being a bearing inside it). If I press on the top of the fan lightly then it becomes more pronounced. I'm pretty certain its therefore something catching just from the noise of it. What I'm wondering is what I can do here - I don't particularly want to take the computer apart and rma the mobo, cos it took me ages to build and I've just got the stuff I want installed on it (plus it was my first build and I'd quite like to enjoy it for a bit, and don't want to go through the rigmarole of building it again!).

So, firstly, does this sound like something catching on the fan or could it still be something else? Can I easily and safely take the fan off the chipset to see if I can identify what is catching? Would OcUK send me just a replacement fan? Would doing any of this invalidate my warranty?

Also, if I have to return the mobo to get this sorted and they send a replacement, could I just plug my hardware into the new one and it would work fine or would I have to format and reinstall windows and everything again?

Bellboy · 11 Feb 2006 at 14:21

Just had another look at it while its on - there are wires coming out of it that plug into the chipset fan socket on the mobo. If I push these towards the motherboard right where they come out from the chipset fan itself, this stops the rattling.

Just in case it helps clarify what the problem is ...

Its quite annoying even now but more to the point if I ever want to leave it on overnight then it would annoy the hell out of me. Plus its probably not good to have something that keeps your system cool potentially developing a fault.

mosfet · 11 Feb 2006 at 15:03

If you do get an exact replacement you shouldn't have any problems just swapping in the new parts, I don't believe you'll have to reinstall windows. If you don't mind replacing it, you could order a Zalman Northbridge passive heatsink, which would quieten down your system a little for when you do leave it on at night.

Bellboy · 11 Feb 2006 at 15:30

Update - it was getting worse, and then suddenly stopped rattling altogether. Fine again now, how strange ... or is this a bad sign ..?

Will see how it does over the next couple of days, hopefully it was just something getting banging against the fan which has righted itself, like, somehow.

chameleon · 11 Feb 2006 at 16:07

I have a very similar noise that comes from mine. When I turn the computer on from cold, it rattles horribly but once the operating system kicks in and it slows down a bit, it quietens down ok. I'm pretty sure it's the bearing in the wee fan thats on its way out. I have one of those fanless Zalman coolers so I'll fit it when it finally gives up the ghost.

Bellboy · 11 Feb 2006 at 16:58

Its started doing it again. It doesn't quieten down when it gets to the OS either, it just keeps going. Dunno what happened when it stopped rattling but it obviously didn't magically fix itself!

Well mine is about 2 weeks old so I wouldn't be impressed if it is on its way out already

Just called tech support, they just said only thing can be done is to replace it, either through asus or get one of my own

Raikiri · 11 Feb 2006 at 17:12

I would (and will0 get the passive zalman for it, they are only £5 and will lower the noise. I am doing it because my motherboards cooler is quite loud - although i'll shut that up and then i'll hear the graphics etc.

eatmuchpie · 11 Feb 2006 at 17:15

If you do get the passive cooler, then make sure you have some airflow going across it, otherwise you might experience some high temps/possibility of early breaking/instability/or worse yet, burning! I haven't used that cooler before, so I don't know if it is necessary, or just advisable, or how much airflow needs to go across it; sorry

Bellboy · 13 Feb 2006 at 19:30

Cheers thanks, it seems to have stopped again since saturday so I'll leave it be for now, and trust that everything has magically sorted itself out

Solouko · 13 Feb 2006 at 21:06

Edit: double post

Solouko · 13 Feb 2006 at 21:07

well if it goes again, just take it off (remove it while your computer is switched OFF) and then throw it accross the room a few times making sure to hit a solid plastered wall each time, then replace the fan on the mobo and boot the computer, if the noise persists repeat the process untill it breaks, stops spinning, catches fire when you use it or all of the above. then replace it with something like the zalman passive cooler

Logsi · 13 Feb 2006 at 21:30

Mine is actually doing my head in on mine, soon as you start it up its a crunhing kinda sound then about 5 minutes later it goes away. I tried taking the fan off but couldnt find a suitable screw driver.

Theres a mod i can do to it though so i may do that.

disi · 21 Jan 2018 at 12:47

Mine started as well now after about 5 years. It is the back case fan that makes some rattling noise sometimes (maybe once or twice a day it just starts).
If I shift the case a little it often stops.
If I put some stick into the rotors to make it stop, it spins up again and no rattling any more but may start again at any time.

I tried different connectors on the motherboard, CPU and case fan connectors. Tried changing the minimum idling speed, change from pwm to not controlled and so on.

It may just needs replacement :*(