chipset fan?

[Chris Hill]

I have an epox EP9NPA+ultra and I finally figured out why my computer
is driving me nuts. The chipset fan is the most obnoxious annoying
noisy thing i've ever heard. Anybody ever replaced one of these, is
there a more quiet alternative?

Thanks.

 

[Mike T.]

I have an epox EP9NPA+ultra and I finally figured out why my computer
is driving me nuts. The chipset fan is the most obnoxious annoying
noisy thing i've ever heard. Anybody ever replaced one of these, is
there a more quiet alternative?

Thanks.

Yeah, disconnect it and remove it. Or, replace it with a passive chipset
heatsink. If the case is properly cooled, a chipset cooling fan is
redundant. -Dave

 

[Paul]

I have an epox EP9NPA+ultra and I finally figured out why my computer
is driving me nuts. The chipset fan is the most obnoxious annoying
noisy thing i've ever heard. Anybody ever replaced one of these, is
there a more quiet alternative?

Thanks.

The best chipset cooler I've heard of so far, is this one:

http://www.swiftnets.com/products/mcx159-CU.asp

It accepts a range of push-pin hole spacings of 2.05" (52.1mm)
to 2.41" (61.4mm). Measuring a photo of your motherboard, shows
the push-pins are roughly 2.14" (54.3mm) apart. You can use a
ruler and measure the spacing for yourself, better than I can.
The really unfortunate part, is the Swiftech heatsink would
have to be mounted on a diagonal, and one corner of the heatsink
would probably bump into your graphics card.

It is possible the Zalman passives would also be a problem.

http://www.zalman.co.kr/eng/product/code_list.asp?code=014

The Zalman NB32K is 37mmx37mm. On the diagonal axis, it would
be 37*1.414=52.3mm . I think that leaves just enough room to
squeeze a push-pin in there. But, again, the heatsink would
have to be installed on an angle, and cannot be installed square
to the video card slot. You'd have to cut one corner of the
heatsink off, so it would clear a long video card.

http://www.zalman.co.kr/eng/product/view.asp?idx=180&code=014

If you use one of the Zalmans, personally I'd want a fan strapped
to it. I have no way of knowing what the TDP for the Nforce4 Ultra
is, but the heat output could be substantial since one chip does
everything on those boards. It's your motherboard

Paul

 

[Chris Hill]

The best chipset cooler I've heard of so far, is this one:

http://www.swiftnets.com/products/mcx159-CU.asp

It accepts a range of push-pin hole spacings of 2.05" (52.1mm)
to 2.41" (61.4mm). Measuring a photo of your motherboard, shows
the push-pins are roughly 2.14" (54.3mm) apart. You can use a
ruler and measure the spacing for yourself, better than I can.
The really unfortunate part, is the Swiftech heatsink would
have to be mounted on a diagonal, and one corner of the heatsink
would probably bump into your graphics card.

It is possible the Zalman passives would also be a problem.

http://www.zalman.co.kr/eng/product/code_list.asp?code=014

The Zalman NB32K is 37mmx37mm. On the diagonal axis, it would
be 37*1.414=52.3mm . I think that leaves just enough room to
squeeze a push-pin in there. But, again, the heatsink would
have to be installed on an angle, and cannot be installed square
to the video card slot. You'd have to cut one corner of the
heatsink off, so it would clear a long video card.

http://www.zalman.co.kr/eng/product/view.asp?idx=180&code=014

If you use one of the Zalmans, personally I'd want a fan strapped
to it. I have no way of knowing what the TDP for the Nforce4 Ultra
is, but the heat output could be substantial since one chip does
everything on those boards. It's your motherboard

I tried unplugging the fan. Things got hotter than I'd like. I also
went and read all the reviews; sure wish I'd done that first. Oh wel,
putting up with it is probably the best option.

 

[JAD]

I tried unplugging the fan. Things got hotter than I'd like. I also
went and read all the reviews; sure wish I'd done that first. Oh wel,
putting up with it is probably the best option.

Then in reality your chipset fan, if connected through a the MB header, is
running at top speed because your case is not cooling efficiently. I never
really seen the need for that fan except for advertising purposes. (or
making up for poorly designed ATX MBs)

 

[Chris Hill]

Nope, this one is on a two pin header, it has only one speed. Case
stays pretty cool, the hd never gets above 86f.

 

[John Doe]

I have an epox EP9NPA+ultra and I finally figured out why my
computer is driving me nuts. The chipset fan is the most
obnoxious annoying noisy thing i've ever heard. Anybody ever
replaced one of these, is there a more quiet alternative?

The ZALMAN FB123 is an inner case fan. It is quiet and can provide
some cooling for the chipset. You connect it to the ad-in card
bracket and it hangs out over the CPU, chipset, and ad-in card area.
You can connect more than one various size fans to it.

I disagree with the opinion that chipset cooling is redundant. If
you have it, it's on there for a good reason.