Loud CPU fan

How can I make it quiet?

[ammani]

I am running an AMD Athlon K7 and the CPU fan is quite loud. It doesn't bother me so much when I am on the computer but if I put the PC in "standby" mode, the CPU fan is still running full speed and full volume. Is there a way, maybe in BIOS, to have the CPU fan slow down or even shut off when in standby mode? My other computers do this. Would I be better off buying a quieter CPU fan?

[Scruffy]

Well, I know this won't help, but I can't resist telling the story...

I installed a cooling unit for a client. A couple of months later he called me out on a breakdown.
When I got there (China as it happens!) he had had an airtight enclosure built around it because 'it made too much noise'

There wasn't much left of it.

[physics]

I had a similar problem and it turned out the fan needed to be replaced; it had just gotten old. Might this be the case for you or is your fan pretty new?

[digitalghost]

>>buying a quieter CPU fan

Yes. Buy a quieter fan.

[kaled]

If you can hear a fan in standby mode, there is a good chance it's the power-supply fan not the CPU fan.

Open the case in standby mode. If the CPU fan has stopped, then it must be the power-supply. If it is still running and is easily accessible, stop the CPU fan for a moment with your finger (on the hub not the blades).

If it is the CPU fan that needs to be replaced, it would probably be best to get one fitted in a shop. It sounds like your current one is not installed correctly - probably drawing power directly from the power-supply instead of the motherboard. This would explain why it is always on.

Kaled.

[physics]

kaled has a good point. In fact the power source and cpu fan were both replaced in my case. Runs nice now :)

[digitalghost]

Two words- Water Cooled. You still need a fan, but only one. All my boxes are water cooled now. Takes a little bit of work but it is worth it.

[davec]

I switched all the cpu fans in the desktops here to ones with a built in temp sensor. The fan speed automatically speeds up and slows down according to how hard (and therefore how hot) the cpu is worked. They tend to be much quieter now. Sticky me if you want the model I got and i'll dig out the details.

d

[jtara]

Most newer motherboards are able to control CPU fan speed. You will need a fan with a speed sensor (they have a 3-pin connector) and you may need to change a BIOS setting.

Otherwise, you can get fans with either built-in or remote temperature sensors. I like the Thermaltake Smart Case Fan. They are very versatle. They come with everything you need to EITHER have them controlled by temperature, or else with a potentiometer. And (though they don't tell you this) you can even diddle it to use BOTH. (Controlled by temperature, and you use the pot to control the maximum speed.)

Keep in mind that bigger = quieter. A bigger fan can spin at a lower speed to move the same amount of air.

Whatever you do, make sure that the fan has ball bearings, not sleeve. Last thing you need is a fan seizing-up on a modern, power-hungry CPU.