Computer fan help

My computer fan makes loads of noise when you turn it on, I was told this could be one of 3 things, the power supply, the case fan or the psu fan, I’ve recently bought a new Thermaltake Black Widow 850W power supply because I was told I would need a new psu in order for my new graphics card to work efficiently, however this has not fixed the problem, I’ve discovered the problem is the fan directly above my processor, now I have no idea how to replace this or what is required for me to do so, I’ve read guides of a thermal paste will be needed and people saying that if I take this off I could damage my processor and that I do not want to do!!

So my questions are as follows:

Is it hard to firstly remove the old psu fan and replace it with a new fan?

What are the costs of these things and could someone recommend me any specifics for a household/gaming pc nothing high-end just casual use.

Could you also tell me if I need to buy anything else such as the paste I read about somewhere or is that not needed?

Thanks for your help guys, I know it’s a bit wordy just wanted to explain myself!

Btw my pc is defragged, free of viruses, cleaned of all dust, and the hard drive is not full, I also ran a registry fixer too.

It's not hard to replace CPU heat sinks but it could be complicated removing a fan from one and replacing it with another fan. I recommend just getting a whole new heat sink and fan combo together. Yes, you can damage your CPU but just be careful. It's not really that hard.

Yes, get the paste. Here is one of the best thermal pastes you use between the CPU and the heatsink/fan: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835100007

To figure out which fan is best, I recommend you go here:

http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCateg...Fans-Heatsinks

And search for heat sinks that work with your particular CPU. Don't forget to read the user comments. Search for ones that are quiet.

Good luck

What Processor do you have? I also recommend replacing the entire heatsink/fan and not just the fan. The price difference is negligible and it will be easier for you to replace the entire unit.

Ah the combined replacement sounds like a much better and safer option thanks guys, also i have the crappy one that came with the comp: Intel(R) Core (TM)2 CPU 6300 @1.86 ghz

Edit: Could somone link me to a product ora brand in particular if any that works best with this cpu?

That's a little difficult to do. The 6300 is an LGA 775 socket type. The 6305 is an LGA 771. Are you sure which one yours is?

Also, is this a custom built "white box" computer? Many cooling devices are very large and may not fit in your case. It's not as simple as just saying, "here use this one" because they're very particular with fit, etc.

It's best to look at your motherboard and specific model of CPU and specific case you're using and search for heat-sink/fan units that are well reviewed.

Zalman typically makes good units. I think I have a Thermaltake unit on my PC that works well. Those are typically good brands. You just have to find one that works with your system.

I just right clicked computer and then typed out what it said there, also my comp is a Packard Bell one its a imedia pc but not sure of the number, though this one i googled has the same case imedia 1559, but thanks will do some reading up on sizes and stuff

I assume you mean the CPU fan. If so, the short answer is - no, if you just replace the fan.

1. First thing is, since it's just the fan that is noisy, you may not need to remove the entire heatsink to replace the fan. That a look at it and see if the fan simply screws onto the heatsink and/or snaps into place. If so, you should be able to remove the fan from the heatsink itself. Then just go to your local computer parts retailer and get a fan that fits, and replace it.

2. You may need to buy a heatsink + fan in order to get the fan you want, but you may still be able to simply swap the fan without removing the old heatsink.

3. You may need to buy a new heatsink and fan because the old fans not removable or new one isn't available. Make sure to get a new one that fits your CPU and case. Just a simple ordinary cheap HS+F will do. There is a bit more work involved with replacing the entire HSF, so, if you're not comfortable about doing it yourself, get the dealer, or a techie friend to do it for you.
In most cases, the HSF will come with the required "paste", either i a small tube, or already spread on the bottom of the heatsink.

My stock intel fan was too loud so I cut the plastic that held the fans in and replaced it with slightly larger and quiet 80mm fan. The only reason I did this is it was cheap fast and easy. No need to replace the heatsink if it worked fine b4. Just clean the dust off it. I have a nice heatsink with heatpipes, but those screw connectors for the intels suck. I'm assuming your HP is using a stock intel fan and heatsink, but even if it's different, just order a quiet 80 or 90 mm fan. Panaflo, yate loom, etc all make decent fans. Be sure that it pushes a similar amount of air by checking the specs on a stock one and the one you want to buy.

How I did it was simple. I cut the fan off at the plastic points closest to the fan it self. This left me with 4 L shaped plastic arms that just fit my fan. I could have then used glue or ties to make it more permanent, but it was snug and I don't move the computer around so it won't pop out. I now notice my corsair powersupply fan more than my cpu fan and it works as well as stock did.

Hope it helps.

EDIT: Get a 3 wire fan if you want to monitor fan rpms. Check the connectors to make sure its a standard mobo fan power connector.

Im looking at some products online and i have found a akasa one that has quite good reviews and is quite cheap, however it says its compatible with socket 1156 intel core duo processors, how am i supposed to find out what socket it is, ive looked around the motherboard none of the stickers state a socket number?

As mentioned earlier the Core 2 E6300 is LGA775 socket. It is quite an old socket but you should be able to find some coolers around as it was a popular platform.

If you are going to buy a new cooler remember what Roen said in his post:
http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/s...06&postcount=5

Ok last question, sorry for the long thread but i think its almost over, ive found one that says its Very Quiet - 19-23 dB/A which seems like what i want, it is also for my specific socket, however the item states it comes with some thermal paste, should i use that or will it be more benificial if i also purcahsed the Artic Silver paste purchased in the thread earlier? How much difference can the paste make?

Thanks for all the help guys, really do appreciate it.


Edit: thank you so much for all your help guys, especially Roen ive followed most of your advice! Thread can be closed now i think im ok!

The Arctic Silver is better, but it really depends on how hard you're pushing the machine. Are you overclocking? Probably not since you said earlier you're using a stock heatsink/fan unit. You're fine with the included paste. Save your $10.

Many heatsinks come with the thermal paste pre-applied, in which case you won't have to mess with it and between your peace of mind and the time saved, that is easily the best route in this case.

Depends on the paste they supply. Arctic silver is good for a few degrees over most generic pastes when applied properly. There are also a few other pastes that work as good or better.

To tell you the truth if you are not overclocking and your system was fine with the stock cooler, you dont need to drop another $5 on paste.

Either way, use a thin layer that completely covers the top of the cpu. People spread it with old credit cards etc. I use a thin plastic bag pulled tight around my finger. Rub in a very thin layer, wipe off excess. Mount cooler. Monitor temps while idle and under stress of gaming and multitasking. As the paste bonds the cpu and cooler temps should drop over a few weeks of use and settle there. Then just keep fan and cooler clean and you shouldnt have to mess with again.

As others have not mentioned this yet and you seem relatively new to building / modifying PCs. Watch out when removing the old Fan/heatsink. Some Pre built computers do not use standard Heat paste which only gets slightly sticky over time, but they literaly GLUE the cooler to the CPU.

Do not try to force the cooler off after opening the holding brackets. If you notice you can not budge the Fan once the brackets are open. Close teh brackets again, switch on the PC and let it run for about 5 Minutes to heat up the CPU. Once it is warm, turn off the PC and disconnect the Power cable and try again. The heat should make the Glue a bit easier to shift if you are carefull.

I learnt this the hard way by ruining the CPU and the Motherboard of my last Pre-built PC years ago .

Ok im not sure what has gone wrong here but for some reason the heatsink i recieved has 4 push clips that you twist in to place, however the heatsink i removed has 4 screws that were previously screwed into place, is there any way to use the push clips on the board or do i have to purchase a new heatsink? I dont understand the heatsink says its compatible...

Does your motherboard have a backplate on it that the screws screwed into?

You may have to remove this so that you can just put the pushpins in.

Do the pins lineup to the holes in the motherboard?

I just removed the motherboard and had a look it does have a backplate which seems to be glued into place as it has no screws, i dont think removing this could allow the push pins to fit because the pins seem bigger than the hole in the board, they have a sort of 3 point ending which makes them need a bigger hole if that makes sense

And the pins do line up they all seem the same size, and whats annyoing me most is everywhere i am looking it says all intel stock pc's have push pins and not screws, mine is a unmodified one so why is mine any different!!

Edit: if you need pics i can provide though i will have to use my crappy iphone camera!

They're supposed to be slightly bigger. Unlike most computer-related items, they're applied by brute force and ignorance. Push the buggers in there.

(I hate the damn things, by the way.)

This is why you check to see if your computer uses stock oem intel coooler. Google your computer to see what people use. If the holes are spaced right (sounds like they are), there are coolers that use bolts and nuts to mount to mobo.
OR read my post and just swap out fans.