Noisy GPU Fan

[Lee1]

My 9600 GT Fan speed is usually on 100% and it makes a "Sh-whirl" noise that's not excessively loud and bothersome. However, starting last night the fan started making a loud irregular-tone, something like "Drrrrrrrr" noise as if it needed some lubricant on the bearings.

Last time this happened, I took out the card and blew out the dust around the fan and that seemed to have done the trick. This time I tired the same thing with no luck.

So do I just take out the fan covering and put some WD-40 underneath the fan where the bearings are? Underneath the fan is wear the bearings are right? [Lift the fan blade off the base?]

[Dillon 1st MRB]

You did good with blowing out your fan. How is your air intake? I have an Antec 300 case and it has a filter for the intake fans. If you have a similar setup, you may not be getting any "new air" inside the case.

Regardless, I'd download HWMonitor.

We can see where your temps are and where they should be. Please do some heavy gaming and get some good readings from it.

If your temperatures are fine, we can look at just setting your fan speed at a certain level.

[Lee1]

Hey Dillon,

I have a monitor that keeps tract of the temperature; it's around 65-75 degrees Celsius during DOD:S. Since the fan started making the unusual noise, the cooling ability hasn't been changed. I still see normal temperatures during gaming, surfing the net, watching videos, etc.

In regards to lubricating the fan assembly, I'm guessing I need to remove the plastic shield that's covering the entire fan assembly, then try to lift the fan blade off the base of the fan (i.e motor) to expose the bearing? I've heard people actually dipping the fan assembly into WD-40 bath....

Edited September 7, 2010 by Lee 1st MRB

[Lee1]

It is fixed.

I took off the fan assembly from the copper plate/heat-sink and sprayed some mechanical lubricant underneath the fan where the bearing assembly was.

Now the fan noise is back to normal.

I will download the software you recommended, Dillon; I currently have Galaxy Xtreme Tuner GT, which came with my card but it's a bit tacky and not very informative.

BTW, I have a slim case, therefore, using Low profile/Low power GeForce 9600GT. The card does go up to 80-85 degrees Celsius when I'm playing something very demanding like Flash Point: Dragon Rising. I blame the tight space in the case.

Because of the limited space in the case, it tends to get more dusty and I try to clean it out every three weeks or so with a can of compressed air.

I'm looking to upgrade my case in the near future for a bigger PSU but I'm wondering if a slim case motherboard would fit any normal cases.... (my PSU is only 300watts, so I had to remove the optical drive in order to be safe with the GPU)

[Dillon 1st MRB]

Good to hear that it is fixed. You've got one of two things going on: either the fan was dusty underneath, or your ball bearings are going out. You may need a new fan for your video card in the near future.

What is the exact model of your slim case/computer? Is it a dell? You may have some options. I have a feeling it is a mini-ATX case (maybe micro), which would fit in a lot of different cases. Once you buy your own case, you have quite a few options for what you do with your computer, including complete rebuilds and what-not.

[Lee1]

UPDATE

The noise is back and it's worse! LOL.....sigh.....

Plus is doing something new....My GPU tuner's fan speed is set at manual 100% but I know it's not doing 100% speed because I hear the fan noise going up and down and the temperature is going up ever to slowly. I may have shorted the fan assembly during the spray. It's like the fan has a mind of its own....speed goes up and down although the speed is set at manual 100%.

When I change the fan speed using the tuner, the fan gets a tiny bit quieter but the speed still seems to move up and down within that lower range.

Do you know if it's possible to purchase the fan assembly that's used in GALAXY GeForce 9600 GT low power / low profile?

This is the card

[Dillon 1st MRB]

Definately look into RMA'ing it. This is something that should not go bad on your video card. If you can't wait for RMA, you could look for an aftermarket cooler. You'll need some thermal compound, but if you can turn a screwdriver, you could do it.

[M. Baker 1st MRB]

Would this be any good

Arctic cooling

Edited September 8, 2010 by M. Baker 1st MRB

[Dillon 1st MRB]

Its okay, but its discontinued. If you are looking for an aftermarket cooler I'd go with the same manufacturer (Artic Cooling), but look for the Accelero S2. The S1 is out for ~$28 US. The S2 is popping up, but is supposed to be a very nice cooler for ~$35.

As always, make sure the video card is worth the expense of a new cooler.

[Lee1]

Alright so as you may know, I ordered a new card (HD 4850) and now my 2month old 9600 GT Low power/Low profile with no fan (bad bearing so I just removed it when I was putting it back in the box) is sitting in my closet.

All it needs is a smaller after market cooling system (heat sink + fan). Newegg has many after market cooling systems that look like would work on this card.

Does anyone want this? (I'm sorry if anyone gets offended; I know this isn't ebay but I'd rather help out a member)

Only downside is that it would no longer be low profile since the after market cooling system would make it a bit thicker. But this is a great video card for a moderate gamer (all High* settings on DOD:S).

I'm willing to give it away for almost nothing, (it was CAD$170) just give me CAD$50 + shipping.

PM me for more detail.

Please Note: I'm NOT doing this for the money. If I wanted money, I'd sell it on ebay. It's just that I'd rather help out a member. However, if any of you do get offended, I apologize.

[Marsden 1st MRB]

50 Canadian translates to how much USD?

50 Canadian translates to how much USD?

[Lee1]

It's about US$48 according to the currency converter online.

[Marsden 1st MRB]

kk well i'll see what i can do, have to get my first paycheck first

[Dillon 1st MRB]

Just to chime in on this, the 9600Gt is a great card for DODS.