Am I the only one who goes through this many chipset fans?

[MJGunn]

I've had no problems with any other fans in my computer, but this is the 3rd chipset fan that has died on me in about a year. Am I the only one?

 

[jarsoffart]

I haven't had this problem at all on the one mobo I have that doesn't have a passively cooled northbridge.

 

[Nerdology]

After replacing my chipset fan twice, I bought the Zalman passive chipset cooler for something like $12 shipped and have been happy with it.

 

[Cerb]

Your chipset chips use fans? 😀

 

[Jeff7]

Use something passive, or use ball bearing fans.

 

[KEV1N]

Try a big passive heatsink and ensure adequate case airflow?

 

[Jhhnn]

Well, let's just say that you're one of a few who are stubborn enough to keep putting on new ones.... Most of them die w/o notice, except that the box is quieter. If you're not overclocking heavily and the chip has a halfway decent sink, just toss the fan. If you want to go all out, buy a zalman- works great, lasts a long time, and you'll never have to mess with it again...

 

[MJGunn]

Well, I have to have a fan, my system always freezes without it (I keep the computer in a compartment in my desk, always runs hot, despite having very good cooling). I think I'll try out the zalman cooler like you guys have suggested

 

[Mday]

check the dust levels in your system, and are you renewing the lube in the fans?

 

[amcdonald]

I'm not a salesman or anything, but the zalman passive chipset cooler is really cheap at SVC right now. Its only $9.10 shipped.

 

[MJGunn]

amcdonald, thanks for the tip. Mday, you're probably on the right track about the dust levels having something to do with killing the fans. I've got a very open case (antec 1035), combined with 3 smokers in the house. The computer is dusty as hell less than a week after cleaning it.

 

[Bookie]

i will also confess that the zalman is the way to go. The one computer I have that didn't have passive cooling had the fan die out and i replaced it with the zalman. If i ever get another motherboard with active northbridge cooling it will be immediatly replaced. Definitely worth the small amount of money.

 

[Cerb]

I used the Zalman NB HS for my video card. While initially getting it on is a chore (I didn't want to use the adhesive it came with), it works great, and most NB HSFs are not very high...if they were, they wouldn't need the fan. If you're OK with never taking it off, the adhesive should do fine. Oh, and it looks pretty cool. Also, the thing has the least dust of any parts (it has Gamma 28 blowing over it constantly), and the dust is *gone* with only the slightest use of canned air (I have a cat, so yes, it gets really dusty really quick). If my mobo didn't already have a passive NB HS, I'd have replaced it with the Zalman one, and will definitely do it for any future mobos with acting NB cooling.