Noisy Chipset Fan on A8NSLI

[Dan]

I just built a new system based on the A8N-SLI and the chipset fan sounds
like a helicopter.

I checked in the Asus Probe and it reports the fan as spinning at 8800 RPM!

Is there a way of slowing this down so that it's quieter? Or is there a
replacement? This thing is *loud*.

TIA

 

[40 PC SOCKET SET]

I just built a new system based on the A8N-SLI and the chipset fan sounds
like a helicopter.

I checked in the Asus Probe and it reports the fan as spinning at 8800 RPM!

Is there a way of slowing this down so that it's quieter? Or is there a
replacement? This thing is *loud*.

TIA

I am running n A8N-SLI, and the fan is not noisy at all.. In fact I would
say that it is almost silent. My fan is running at 8800 also. I believe
you may have a faulty fan. Dont attempt to slow it down. The nForce 4
needs to be kept cool.

Jon

 

[edde]

When mine is operating normally, it's very quiet.
But every now and then it will start to sound like a buzz saw and I have to
give it a poke to get it working silently again. I've read quite a few
people have reported similar problems with the nb fan on their A8N.
You may want to try a Vantec Iceberq cooler in it's place if you can't get
the original replaced.

 

[Dan]

It's funny you should mention this. Last night I tried unplugging the fan
just for a few seconds and then plugged it back in again. Then it was quiet.
I noticed that the fan is not firmly attached by its push pins and springs
so it doesn't even sit properly on the chip. If I move it around a little
the fan gets quieter but opening the case all the time to do this is a pain.
I'll call Asus tech support and see if they'll send me another fan.
Otherwise I'll do what you suggest and get something else. I don't want to
RMA the whole board from Canada to California just for a noisy fan.

PS I just called Asus and they're sending me a new fan. So we'll see if the
new one works any better.

 

[Robert Hancock]

When mine is operating normally, it's very quiet.
But every now and then it will start to sound like a buzz saw and I have to
give it a poke to get it working silently again. I've read quite a few
people have reported similar problems with the nb fan on their A8N.
You may want to try a Vantec Iceberq cooler in it's place if you can't get
the original replaced.

I've had a sort of similar problem on mine where it seems to start
resonating or something at times. I actually dismantled the heatsink/fan
assembly and put a couple drops of 3-in-1 oil into the fan bearing.
Haven't seen it make that noise since..

 

[edde]

It's funny you should mention this. Last night I tried unplugging the fan
just for a few seconds and then plugged it back in again. Then it was
quiet.
I noticed that the fan is not firmly attached by its push pins and springs
so it doesn't even sit properly on the chip. If I move it around a little
the fan gets quieter but opening the case all the time to do this is a
pain.
I'll call Asus tech support and see if they'll send me another fan.
Otherwise I'll do what you suggest and get something else. I don't want to
RMA the whole board from Canada to California just for a noisy fan.

PS I just called Asus and they're sending me a new fan. So we'll see if
the
new one works any better.

That's good news.

 

[edde]

I've had a sort of similar problem on mine where it seems to start
resonating or something at times. I actually dismantled the heatsink/fan
assembly and put a couple drops of 3-in-1 oil into the fan bearing.
Haven't seen it make that noise since..

That's a good idea too. I've recommended that to people before with older
chpset fans.
Hopefully it will stay that way.

 

[Robert Hancock]

That's a good idea too. I've recommended that to people before with older
chpset fans.
Hopefully it will stay that way.

Mine started making noise again, so I just took the fan off and replaced
it with a Zalman ZM-NB47J passive heatsink. It fits fine - it does get
fairly warm (I'd guess around 60 degrees or so), but everything seems
stable. If you're using 2-slot video cards there may not be enough room
above the chipset though..

 

[edde]

Very interesting.
I wonder if a 3rd party cooler like the Vantec Iceberq4 would fit.

 

[Rob Nicholson]

resonating or something at times. I actually dismantled the heatsink/fan

I think resontating is exactly the right term causing excess vibration. The
secondary fan in my case was making a huge racket. In the end, I just
unplugged it. My PC isn't *that* powerful to need it.