Fans

[Roman Totale]

Specifically fans inside PCs. Now I don't know whether I have a problem or not, but the fans inside my computer really do whirrrrrr.

At times it sounds like one of those crappy dirt track motorbikes revving it's engine, and you can hear the dammed all through the house making the floorboards vibrate.

I assume the reason it's making this noise is because it's too warm and the fans are working overtime, but maybe I'm wrong and this is how all PCs are nowadays.

So, what I want to know is:

1) How do I check the CPU temperature. I know how to do it from startup, but is there a way to check it after your PCs already been running for a few hours? Also, what sort of temperature should it be?

2) If I do need to get a new fan, what information do I need? I imagine it's not just a case of picking the shinyest one and whacking it in there.

3) erm, I'm sure I had a third question but I can't remember it now.

I'll try and take some photos of my computers innards to see what you think.

Cheers my helpdesk bitches

[spoodie]

Specifically fans inside PCs.

I thought this thread was going to be about Roland Rat.

1) How do I check the CPU temperature. I know how to do it from startup, but is there a way to check it after your PCs already been running for a few hours? Also, what sort of temperature should it be?

I use Motherboard Monitor which displays my motherboard and CPU temps in the systray. It does loads more stuff but I just use it for that.

2) If I do need to get a new fan, what information do I need? I imagine it's not just a case of picking the shinyest one and whacking it in there.

For chassis fans I use these, they are very quiet and you can adjust the speed by using the different cables provided. CPUs fans is a bit more complicated and already been discussed so have a look in the other threads or tell us more about your hardware.

[wyrd]

if their really that noisy you may want to check there's no wires dangeling near / in them

[ProfHawking]

A computer should not make that much noise.
Most fans in computers are not heat-controlled, and dont speed up & down depending on it. You would probably know if any system fans had that capability. Your motherboard may be doing it for the CPU, but unlikely unless its a fancy one or a shuttle or something.

First thing to do is find out exactly what exactly is making the noise. When the PC is running, open it up.
Stop the fans for a second (with your finger in the middle, not blades!) or with a (plastic) pen if you cant reach the middle (like the back of the PSU)
You shouldnt damage them, and it wont overheat because it wont have time to build up with a breif stop.
Check the PSU fan(s - some have more than one, back and bottom)
CPU fan
Case fan(s)
Also check that a harddrive isnt making it, they can make a lot of noise if the bearings go funny.

Motherboard monitor will give you a proper reading but you can also just feel the bottom of the heatsink. If it is uncomftably hot to touch, then somethings not right. It should be warm, like a peice of toast. If its pop-tart burning hot then its not a good sign.

The case itself will be warm to the touch if the whole thing is too hot. It should be room temp or very slightly above. Feel inside the case around the hard drive mounts - drives get very hot nowadays and should be fan cooled if need be.

Feel the PSU casing as well. If its hot to the touch then you may be overstraining it. PSUs that come with the case or cost less than £30 seem to be over-rated and cant handle top end systems.

[cashy]

generaly fans wont make major noise that they didnt before they break down, but as the prof says its a good way of checking what fan makes what noise. although its worth bearing in mind that when touching anywhere near the motherboard (if its on or not) static electricity can fuck up your day, so keep a spare hand touching the case to keep you well earthed.
ive had a few psu fans go on me though, you can usualy tell by the fact your pc wont stay on for long and that if you open the psu up it looks a bit 'melted' inside.
to be frank, fans are not expensive at all, and if you can find out what the main bad boys are like hawky babes says then just replace them and smile like a loon

[Dr. kitteny berk]

although its worth bearing in mind that when touching anywhere near the motherboard (if its on or not) static electricity can fuck up your day

Bollocks.

Plausible, But no. (Think perpetual motion)

[cashy]

give me a balloon and a few moments with your CPU and you will be telling nasa how to make infinate energy

[Dr. kitteny berk]

that may be possible.

however, its not likely if you treat a computer with some level of respect, but understand that static damage is _RARE_, i tend to earth myself on a case before starting working and just work as normal.

hell, i've built computers pretty much on my lap while wearing a fleece, you're more likely to do damage by resting your mobo on the outside of an anti-static bag *FACT*.

[cashy]

you are right in saying it doesnt usualy happen, but it would be quite foolish to say that static discharges dont happen, although rare i still wouldnt want to risk paying out for it

[Dr. kitteny berk]

i didn't say they don't.

i say it's rare for one to happen when you're working in a computer, given that you earth yourself lots by moving and touching the case and in the event of one, it's even more unlikely for it to do any damage.

though, i did once hear of a raid controller dying of assumed static, it had been kept in a drawer, on a fleece for a year...

[cashy]

given the low voltage usualy applied to them it wouldnt take much to fuck them up, but if you are on a conductive surface (and not standing on somthing like an anti static bag yourself) then the risk is pretty dam low, and as you say touching the case will bring you in direct contact with the PSU's earth hence making you safe (look up faraday's cage)

[Dr. kitteny berk]

however, all this only truely works if you keep your psu plugged into the mains and switched off.

but then, even if you don't the static won't build up if you touch the case occasionally, and if it does, will likely discharge safely into the case.

*resists overgeeking*

Note: I won the geekwar on Xfire.

[ProfHawking]

well done guys
now get rid of all those pointless posts so that poor Roman can read about fans.

(:ignore: Roman, just ignore them. By opening the case you have protected against static)

[Roman Totale]

Well cheers for the advice. After opening up my PC I saw something I hadn't noticed before - a plastic 'plate' covering up the grille at the rear of the computer. Now I can understand why it would be there, possibly to stop things falling in during transportation, but surely they would mention somewhere that it was there and needed removing?

Unfortunately Motherboard Monitor doesn't work as my motherboard isn't supported. I don't think I really need it though. All it needs is better airflow, it's a little restricted at the moment - sort of lodged in a shelving unit.

[pixie pie]

however, all this only truely works if you keep your psu plugged into the mains and switched off.

but then, even if you don't the static won't build up if you touch the case occasionally, and if it does, will likely discharge safely into the case.

*resists overgeeking*

Note: I won the geekwar on Xfire.

I'd like to say (Not with pride, mind) that I managed to kill a motherboard with static. I earthed myself, PSU was plugged in and turned off. all of that stuff. I'm still not sure how it happened, but after I closed up and checked everything that motherboard died. Gave it a funeral and everything.