CPU fan problems

[At my comp]

My PC has been pretty quiet and cool since I got it about four months
ago, but now my AMD CPU fan is loud around twenty minutes after I boot
the machine and my case is much warmer! By now, the fan's blades are
coated with a very thin layer of dust.
-Is it possible that it's just poorly made and failing early, or is it
unusually sensitive to dust and need compressed air?
-If a new fan is required, what is the cheapest replacement fan (for
Socket 939 AMD64 3000+) that is as quiet or a little better than the
CPU’s stock fan? I would like recommendations based on products/prices
from a reputable store like newegg or mwave.

 

[Ed Light]

For sure, try blowing it out first.

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[Wes Newell]

My PC has been pretty quiet and cool since I got it about four months
ago, but now my AMD CPU fan is loud around twenty minutes after I boot
the machine and my case is much warmer! By now, the fan's blades are
coated with a very thin layer of dust.

That thin layer of dust is just like wearing a sweater here in Texas in
July. So what do you think?

-Is it possible that it's just poorly made and failing early, or is it
unusually sensitive to dust and need compressed air? If a new fan is
required, what is the cheapest replacement fan (for Socket 939 AMD64
3000+) that is as quiet or a little better than the CPU's stock fan?
I would like recommendations based on products/prices from a reputable
store like newegg or mwave.

If you want a quiet machine, get a fan adapter for the cooler and use an
80x25mm 2500rpm fan.

 

[Peter van der Goes]

My PC has been pretty quiet and cool since I got it about four months ago,
but now my AMD CPU fan is loud around twenty minutes after I boot the
machine and my case is much warmer! By now, the fan's blades are coated
with a very thin layer of dust.
-Is it possible that it's just poorly made and failing early, or is it
unusually sensitive to dust and need compressed air?
-If a new fan is required, what is the cheapest replacement fan (for
Socket 939 AMD64 3000+) that is as quiet or a little better than the CPU’s
stock fan? I would like recommendations based on products/prices from a
reputable store like newegg or mwave.

First, if you can see dust on the fan blades, there's probably more dust
between the fins of the heat sink itself. Blow/clean both before buying a
replacement. Do *not* try a vacuum cleaner! Vacuum cleaners generate static
electricity that can kill electronic components.
If cleaning doesn't do the trick, Wes' suggestion will maintain good
cooling, reduce noise and allow you to use easy-to-find/replace 80mm fans.

 

[At my comp]

Thanks to the replies, but I discovered why the CPU fan was so loud.
Yesterday, I discovered that the CPU fan was reported as the only fan
running—at 6000RPM! Usually, my PC is so quiet that I can hardly tell
that it’s on. I opened the case (while the system was running) and
tapped the exhaust fan gently, and it immediately activated. The CPU fan
slowed to normal speed seconds later, and the whole system has been cool
and quiet again ever since.

I will definitely spray some air to try to clean any invisible layers of
dust. I have an Antec Sonata, which has been the best case I’ve owned,
but the huge exhaust fan grill and Antec logos (bulleted holes) on both
sides are probably to blame for most of the dust. I just remembered that
this model has its own washable filter that should be washed monthly, so
that will probably look like a linty dryer filter by now… Someone told
me that thin nylons can filter dust from coming into the system, so I
will seal the grills after everything is clean.

Is it practical to lubricate computer fans? What type of grease is
appropriate?