also @ TechSpot: Standards group wants one charger for all laptops

Loud CPU Fan...What should I do?

By crueltrit
Feb 13, 2007
Topic Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. wolfram

    wolfram TechSpot Paladin Posts: 2,605   +9

    Hi and welcome to TS!

    Try cleaning the CPU's fan. It may be too dirty. You can easily clean it using a can of compressed air.
    If that doesn't help, maybe you'll need a newer, quieter fan from a 3rd party, like Arctic Cooling or Zalman. They make excellent, low noise coolers, but they can be expensive.

    Stock coolers are usually loud, that's why most people prefer to use a better quality HSF.

    Regards :wave:
  2. nismo91

    nismo91 TechSpot Maniac Posts: 987   +6

    Hi, it's usual for computer fan for having noise, especially if you do not monitor the temp. Have you use a program called "speedfan" to monitor the temp?
    If you want less noise you should change computer's fan to a higher quality (especially stock pentium 4 cpu fan) or either adding some new fan in case.

    My suggestion is to clean the fan up (if it isn't new), add some case fans and turn on your air-conditioner.

    Welcome to techspot:)
  3. crueltrit

    crueltrit Newcomer, in training

    how do i change the fan? which fan to change? are there any compatibility issues etc?
  4. Rage_3K_Moiz

    Rage_3K_Moiz Sith Lord Posts: 7,276   +22

    The CPU HeatSink Fan (HSF) is the one you wanna change. It's the big fan located on your motherboard, underneath which is the CPU. If you don't want to remove it yourself, just buy a compatible cooler from Zalman, Arctic Cooling or Thermaltake (their homepages should allow you to search for a cooler compatible with your particular processor) and get someone at any small-time computer store to install it for u, for a nominal fee of course.
  5. N3051M

    N3051M Newcomer, in training Posts: 2,800

    Well to answer this, you will have to unplug your PC and open her up.

    (A) Changing the fan is dependent on what fan you want to replace. (B) Now, your's is a P4, and intel stock fans are notorious for being LOUD. So like Rage says, this would be the first fan i would change. (C) Aftermarket fans like those brands mentioned above are really good, some silent and others better at cooling and there are those that are good with both, and if you're really touchy on the sound produced, find the part of the specs that says "noise" and you should aim for less than 20dB.

    In terms of compatibility, you will need a fan that has a mounting bracket with the same shape as the mounts on your CPU. This is determined by what type your CPU is. If you don't know, download CPU-z or Everest Home or SIW and it should tell you under Processors how many pins your CPU has (775 is the standard now, unless you have an older revision..)

    If we were talking about case fans, it would be as simple as replacing them with another, or if adding, finding an empty spot on the case with some fan holes (or make your own :))
  6. SNGX1275

    SNGX1275 TS Special Forces Posts: 12,031   +147

    You could check BIOS settings for thresholds on fan speeds, or use speedfan like nismo91 said. If you lower the thresholds (if possible) you'll still want to monitor temps with something to make sure you aren't running too hot.

    If you want to try something else before buying a new HSF you could pull your current one off, clean it and the top of the processor with 99% isopropyl alcohol and reapply a ultrathin coat of a thermal compound such as Artic Silver to the top of the processor, and then reattach the HSF. There is a possibility that Sony used a less efficient thermal pad, or that there just isn't good contact for whatever reason.
  7. crueltrit

    crueltrit Newcomer, in training

    thanks guys, i will try some of these things and get back to you during this weekend
  8. Computergeek564

    Computergeek564 Newcomer, in training Posts: 82

    There is a good fan speed manager that you can download off the net, it also has a temp monitoring system, and CPU usuage - (it also allows you to control the speed of the fans)

    click on speedfan 4.31

    just the program nismo91 mentioned
Topic Status:
Not open for further replies.

Add New Comment

TechSpot Members
Login or sign up for free,
it takes about 30 seconds.
You may also...
