Fans, should they keep running?

[Taffycat]

I'm really looking for comparisons, if you don't mind guys? Generally speaking, do the fans on desktops normally run the whole time please? I realize there will be differences according to spec and so forth, so I've included mine below. (The fan on one of the laptops has always run solidly, whereas the other is more intermittent, so I'm finding it hard to judge if all is as it should be on the desktop.)

I browsed my ASUS handbook earlier and saw that there was an option to install an ASUS PC Probe II, which I thought might be useful for monitoring temps and "vital components" (quoting the book there ) But when I loaded the Support Disc (supplied) I got an error message, which said "Motherboard Support CD does not support this operating system (WNT_6.0H_MCE)" However, when I checked the CD cover, I saw that it was for the wrong MB (it is really for the "nForce 570 Series" and not the M2N-SLI Deluxe") I've mentioned that, just in case anyone wants to know the temps. But it's not very warm in here and the case only feels slightly warm here and there. Air can circulate around it freely..... in fact, it's a bit like having air-conditioning beneath the desk!! Thank you for reading this

Here are the specs:

AMD Athlon 64 X2 5200+ (2.6GHz) (Socket AM2) | 2048 MB Corsair XMS 800MHz (2x1GB) | ASUS M2N-SLI DeLuxe Dual DDR2 S-ATA II, 2 x PCI-Ex, 3 x PCI | VISTA Home Premium | 400 GB Serial ATA II HDD | 256MB GEForce 7900GS PCI Express | 500W (Peak) Quiet Dual Rail PSU | 120mm Case Fan | ZALMAN CNPS9700 TRITIUM Super Aero Cooler

 

[muckshifter]

No, don't use the Probe software from anyone ... you can get all the info you need using PCReview's recommended ...


Yes, fans on a Desktop normally run consistently. However, you may hear your CPU fan differ at times, this is especially so with AMD's Cool-n-Quiet ... personally, as a 'cruncher' myself, I have that turned off in the BIOS

Some case fans, with the aid of a controller, and some PSU's are capable of also keeping up or down with the temp they monitor.

This should help ... https://www.pcreview.co.uk/forums/thread-3102785.php

 

[V_R]

As Mucks said, the case fans will run constantly. CPU fans will change speeds sometimes. An example is the Intel C2D stock fans, they dont actually spin up straight away when you turn on the pc. Its only when a bit of heat is built up that it kicks in. I dont use the stock fan, but a mate does and it scared the crap out of him at first!

You may find your PSU fans differ in speed too. and may even continue to run for a minute or two after you shutdown.

Have a look through this thread, just make sure whatever it is you choose works with Vista.

 

[Taffycat]

Thanks to both of you Mucks and V_R, very useful info in both of those links. I shall go and take a closer look at Core Temp now Mucks, and I think I shall print out the thread you linked me to V_R, as it would be a jolly good reference to have in my desk drawer

Thank you for not thinking that the question was too naff to answer it wasn't so much that the fan-sounds scared me, just that I was a bit worried that I might be inadvertently wearing 'em out through my own ignorance

Just as a matter of interest, I heard back from PCSpecialist this morning (they were very quick to reply) regarding being supplied with the wrong CD - their answer was:


[font='Arial','sans-serif']

We are unable to send a Vista compatible Motherboard CD, this is due to ASUS not supplying any CD’s with the Motherboards as yet, this will change very shortly and there will be Vista compatiable discs. Please contact within the next 2 months to see if this is available.

Does that sound reasonable to you please? Thank you for your patience - I shall try to ask more intelligent questions as I get used to this new set up [/font]

 

[muckshifter]

The "quote" from your supplier is correct ... we never get updated drivers and rely on the vendor to make sure the system runs correctly. Not all will take time and trouble to go get you all the updates before shipping the PC ... very few in fact.


First thing any of us do is ... go look for updates on the 'tinternet. In your case, using Vista, it's a little bit of a joke out there at the moment, even and especially from the big manufacturers like nVidia.

First port of call should always be Windows Update site.

Can I just make one thing clear here ... there is no such thing as a daft, stupid, silly question ... sure, we may give a smile and a wink, but you will not learn anything by keeping quiet. I see plenty of stupid answers though.

V_R has just reminded me with his post above ... I was going to either pop into his thread, or ask him, to make changes regarding if the recommended software is Vista ready.

TC ... I'm pleased that you chose Vista as your OS, you help me make my job a little easier.

Just to help you out on another subject of Vista, have you had a little read through my recent article yet ... https://www.pcreview.co.uk/articles/Windows/Vista_Power_Options/

 

[Taffycat]

Oh thank you for confirming that I've been given the correct info re the ASUS updates, etc., - I have to say that the PC Specialist folk have been very helpful up to now, but sometimes one feels obliged to double-check-out info just to be certain

Rats, my memory.... Yes Mucks, I meant to mention that I have indeed read your article regarding Power Options in Vista - yesterday afternoon actually I thought it was excellent, because you have explained things so thoroughly - and are so right about the settings being more suited to a laptop Having - as you know - been used only to laptops formerly, it was one of the first settings I checked-out. (I prefer them to be "always-on" because they are permanently on mains power here.) The wake-up after hibernation was always a pain, because as you correctly point out, things always became more unstable at such times. It's a "must-read" for anyone who switches to Vista

 

[muckshifter]

ah, glad you liked it ... I have a writing "style" all of my own.

 

[V_R]

V_R has just reminded me with his post above ... I was going to either pop into his thread, or ask him, to make changes regarding if the recommended software is Vista ready.

I've put a little note at the top of the thread. Do you think that will be ok?

 

[muckshifter]

Perfect V_R ... hehe, forgot we have a Vista section anyway ... but that was a good idea.


I think most of what is there will run on Vista anyway.

 

[Adywebb]

Just as a matter of interest, I heard back from PCSpecialist this morning (they were very quick to reply) regarding being supplied with the wrong CD - their answer was:


[font='Arial','sans-serif']

Does that sound reasonable to you please? Thank you for your patience - I shall try to ask more intelligent questions as I get used to this new set up

[/font]

Regarding Vista utilities/drivers etc for your mobo - they are available direct from the Asus site HERE if you need them

...........be aware - the site is often slow in loading.

 

[Taffycat]

Regarding Vista utilities/drivers etc for your mobo - they are available direct from the Asus site HERE if you need them

...........be aware - the site is often slow in loading.

Thank you Ady I appreciate the link ......I'm still on dial-up, so used to sloooww!

 

[Alf]

Is it me or is taffycats font size getting smaller and smaller
with my 'old' 3500, my Cpu fan was effecient enough with all the heat pipes and such, that the cpu fan would stop spinning every now and then. but when i went too check it in bios or some other program, everything was fine (40c)
But with my Fx-57, it needs to keep spinning

 

[Taffycat]

What do you do when you are hacked off because you can only crunch on your wee laptop instead of the nice big beastie standing in the corner? You have a little wander into the BIOS of aforementioned beastie. I am curious to know what might really be going on with the fans and hoped that the settings in BIOS would tell me.... or one of you kind experts (grovel grovel...) I had to take two photos because I couldn't get the whole list onto the screen at one time. I don't suppose it's going to help, but........? (Please don't faint anyone... I didn't alter any settings within BIOS, was only looking.)

PCSpecialist hasn't got back to me so nothing to report there.

Re shrinking font - apologies for that. For some reason it tends to look different here, depending upon which PC I'm using at the time, so I'll try to "standardize" it... didn't mean to give you all eyestrain Folks, sorreee

 

[Adywebb]

Hmmm, 63C is indeed far too hot for your CPU at idle


I see your using the Asus Q-fan controls - personally I don't use them on any of my syatems - I have mine running at max 24/7 for years with no problems.
You have a good cooler in that Zalman - so unless there is a problem directly with the CPU, then then the only thing I can suggest is that the HS its not seated correctly on the CPU.

Have you tried re-seating?

Another thing that helps overall cooling is having a 'windtunnel' effect through the case with fans front and rear - although that doesn't appear to be your problem as it wouldn't effect temps to that degree.

Edit: Your chassis fan speed seems a little on the low side to me, is it the one at the rear? are you able to say what the size/make is (ie. 90mm/120mm etc...)?

 

[muckshifter]

ouch, still too hot

ah ha, Q-Fan ... I'm going back to MSI motherboards, Asus are taking the P


Better cool down myself ... pun intended.


Q-Fan is setup correctly in your BIOS but, does that HSF have a 3pin or the 'required' 4pin power connector ?

Who has one ... V_R ?

Anyway, the fan should run at maximiun when the Q-Fan is disabled

... gonna make you work some more here TC ...

what I want you to do, in the BIOS, is set Q-Fan to disabled, reboot back into the BIOS, and see if the temp has dropped & the fan speed increased. If so, we is almost home.

 

[V_R]

Q-Fan is setup correctly in your BIOS but, does that HSF have a 3pin or the 'required' 4pin power connector ?

Who has one ... V_R ?

The Zalmans are three pin. Plug straight into the header, runs a full speed. Mine spins at 2600RPM if that helps.

 

[Adywebb]

Yep, theres nothing wrong with the fanspeed on that Zalman - I would imagine even with Q-fan enabled, at those temps it will be at max anyway.

 

[muckshifter]

Sorry Ady / V_R ... good job you disable it ... it don't work as intended.


Thanks for the info on the fan speed, I don't use 'fancy' HSFs so wasn't sure on what speed it should be running at.

I would still like TC to Disable Q-Fan in the BIOS ... I don't know if Asus have 'fixed' its 'problems' but you do need a 4pin fan to get it to work as intended. Then I would still disable the bloody thing, yeah, call me ald school, I don't care.

What is it about PC manufacturers & Laptop settings ????

We are still looking at the posibility that TC will need to return the PC and get someone to 'fix' those temps.

 

[Taffycat]

Will go and check that - BIOS here I come... please watch this space, as they say

 

[Taffycat]

I'm back again and have disabled the Q Fan - as instructed. However, just printed something and although the CPU load only peaked at 18% the temp shot up to 68 deg C and the little warning boxes appeared

it really is becoming awfully tempting to peep beneath the bonnet

By the way, thank you all for looking