noisy socket 478 heatsink and fan

[gghartman]

Am working on a p4/1.8 machine that had a noisy heatsink and fan. Was a little corrodid with dust but not to bad. I brought another one Intel same as original but after installing the new heatsink and fan it also is noisy. A rumbling noise that doesnt go away even after the system has leveled out.

Is this just the way the 478 socket heatsink and fans are or what??? Replaced the power supply think that maybe that was making the noise but its a new psu and the noise is still there. Not sure if I should buy another heatsink and fan or just leave well enough alone. Could put a noisy chassis fan in the machine that would mask the heatsink fan I guess.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[flanzig1]

You could be looking at a hard drive that is starting to go bad.

[gghartman]

I'll check that out but it doesnt sound like its coming from the drive more toward the processor area but will replace h.d. with one of my others I have in stock. Again doesnt sound like the h.d. clanking but havent tried replacing that yet so will give a try.

Thanks. Will let you know most likely tomorrow. Have some finishing touches to do with the lawn before snow hits so will let you know what I find out.

[mb26]

Is this just the way the 478 socket heatsink and fans are or what???
well the s478 NW/Willamette heatsink isn't silent.. but you may be experiencing it noiser than it should be? since i dont know how noisy it is, i couldn't say weather it is design or fault. what are u comparing it to?

to be (relatively) quiet it should be at least 80mm. you could also get a fan controller so that u are able to reduce the speed of the fan.

did u buy a new heatsink or a 2nd hand one?
all fans get noisier the older they are (particularly those w/ sleve bearings) so if its an old HS then it may be noisier than it should be.

old hard drives can also make a lot of noise, as can failing ones as falnzig1 says. and you may have just replaced one noisy PSU with another.

'Not sure if I should buy another heatsink and fan or just leave well enough alone.'
that depends on what you are meant to be doing to the PC i suppose? if ur meant to be making it quiet then get another one. if whoevers it is doesn't care, then dont waste your money.

[masonbarge]

First, open the case and lay it on its side. Then take a pencil and hold it in the various fans, one at a time, to stop them. I don't need to say, "be careful". Then turn on the computer. Do this three times, once for each major fan. This will tell you which fan is making all the noise. Your CPU cooling is almost certainly noisy, but whether the case/PS/video card are also noisy, I cant' tell.

If you want a quiet CPU cooler, I strongly recommend the Nexus PHT-3600, which is extremely easy to install and only costs like $30-35. For a P4 under 3.06 Ghz, you can buy a voltage reduction cable for it, for another $4, that will lower the noise even further by reducing voltage from 12 to 10 and lowering the fan speed.

[gghartman]

Sorry folks never got an email informing me of your replies. I asked the administrator to look at my profile to make sure its setup correctly.

Anyway, did what masonbarge suggested and low and behold it turned out to be the video card making the noise. It sounds so much like the heatsink and fan when they start revolving out of sink. Forgot that this video card had a fan on it. Its very noisy even rumbles for a second or two after power is off. Guess I will try another video card. This one looks clean but guess the bearings are starting to go out.

Thanks all.

[gghartman]

masonbarge

i looked up the device you suggested and the rating given was fair and i believe only because it wasnt copper. you apparently have had good luck with this device but have you any suggestions for a copper based one ???

[mb26]

if u found the noise was mainly from the video card then (why) do u need a new CPU cooler?.

anyway, what is your video card, as some old ones with a fan are able to run w/o the fan atall.

[gghartman]

buying a new heatsink and fan was a fubar on my part. did not see the fan on the video card didnt even occur to me that there was a fan on the video card. now i have an extra heatsink and fan.

the video card was a chaintech 64mb. actually dont know if this card would be okay without the fan connected. assuming that if it has a fan then chaintech must think it needs one. probably the would assumption on my part. if it is then the next machine i get in using integrated video i will install the chaintech and give them a deal on the card. do you know if the chaintech would be okay without the fan. its a mx200 - i believe.