Loud whining from CPU fan

[SmurfWithAStick]

I just assembled my first computer, and upon powering up, my CPU fan started to emit a loud, high-pitched whine. My CPU is an Intel Q6600 and I am using the stock heatsink and fan. When I installed the heatsink on top of the CPU, I didn't press on the fasteners right, and two of them popped back up. I quickly pressed them back down and they seemed to be fine. The whole unit is solid; it doesn't shake or slide. What could be making the whine? I greatly appreciate any help.

[not important]

My first thought would be wiring rubbing against the fan. Particularly the wires running from the fam to the MOBO. If there is nothing rubbing against the fan, it sounds like a faulty fan but I find that highly unlikely from an Intel CPU fan.

[SmurfWithAStick]

I think when the fasteners popped up, they were damaged and aren't holding the unit down correctly. Can I buy another Intel fan or do I have to get an aftermarket fan?

[Alaron]

You can get replacement fasteners direct from Intel here: http://shop.intel.com/shop/product.a...SRXWALL72GC6NA

They also sell the entire unit: http://shop.intel.com/shop/product.a...SRXWALL72GC6NA

[SmurfWithAStick]

Thanks, that takes a lot off my mind.

[SmurfWithAStick]

I know I'm necro-posting, but I just realized that the fan/heatsink that I bought is only rated for a Core 2 Duo and I have a Quad. Intel doesn't sell heatsinks for Quads, so do you think it would be fine just using the Duo fan/heatsink? They pretty much look the same, but I don't know if they spin at the same speeds. Anyone know anything about this?

[The Village Idiot]

Er, if it was provided with the CPU then it should be fine, if it wasn't then ok, but that shouldn't be producing a high pitch whining unless its overworking the fan.

[Sharif]

If its a stock heatsink, then I guess Intel thinks its fine for quad.

Check the heatsink itself, it could have something inside it, take it apart - go wild and see whats going on with it.

[SmurfWithAStick]

Um, I guess I should do a recap.

The fan/heat sink that came with my Core 2 Quad Q6600 emitted a loud, high-pitched whining. I didn't know what was wrong, so i bought a new fan/heat sink directly from Intel. Post-sale, I found out the unit was rated for Core 2 Duo and not Core 2 Quads. In fact, Intel has a little disclaimer here that says it is not validated for Core 2 Quads. I looked around to see if they did sell units for Quads, but I didn't find any. So, my best option seems to be to just use the Duo fan.

Anyways, I've taken the fan off the old heat sink, and I'm still waiting for the new one to come in to compare with.

[SmurfWithAStick]

Well, it came today and it does have a slight difference: the "fins" of the heat sink are paired up in the Core 2 Duo heat sink. However there are just as many singular "fins" as there are in the Quad heat sink. Also the curve of the "fins" are opposite. Here's a comparison picture:
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r.../heat_sink.jpg

The fans look exactly the same except for a few identifier numbers on the sticker.
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...AStick/fan.jpg

So what do you think; should I install the Duo heat sink or should I buy an after-market Quad heat sink? Thanks for bearing with me through this.