Excessive Noise from My Vid Card

[artemicion]

The fan on my vid card is making an annoying, but not too loud, grinding noise ever since I started it up today. Kinda like the noise you get when you stick a baseball card in the spokes of your bicycle.

So I opened up the case, I first discovered that the vid card wasn't seated properly (yet it was still working), so I pushed it back in all the way, but that didn't fix it.

Then I took it out, and discovered a HUGE amount of dust that built up all over the fan and heatsink, which I gave a decent, but not completely thorough, cleaning.

I stuck it back in, and at first, the noise was gone, but I came back later, and now it's back, though I think it my be not quite as loud as it was before.

What should I do?
(GeForce TI4200)

 

[SniperMerc]

Replace the fan.

http://www.coolerguys.com/840556018643.html

 

[nitromullet]

Originally posted by: SniperMerc
Replace the fan.

http://www.coolerguys.com/840556018643.html

or the card.... Is it worth it to put a $15 fan (before shipping) on a $50 card? You'll have to judge that for yourself. Just something to think about....

 

[apoppin]

Still under warranty?

 

[Marsumane]

Originally posted by: nitromullet

Originally posted by: SniperMerc
Replace the fan.

http://www.coolerguys.com/840556018643.html

or the card.... Is it worth it to put a $15 fan (before shipping) on a $50 card? You'll have to judge that for yourself. Just something to think about....

Its more like a $70-$80 card (new)
Anyways, if you plan on upgrading soon, you may not want to consider buying a new fan. If you dont within the next year plan on upgrading, get a new fan. Its not that much for a fan really. On pricewatch u can get them even cheapr.

 

[artemicion]

no, but i think i'll just ride it till it dies.
The noise is getting less and less worse, and oddly, it never makes noise when the case is on its side (which is why i didn't notice after the first cleaning)

 

[Pete]

If it's no longer under warranty, just peel back the fan sticker and add a tiny drop of 3-in-1 oil.

 

[acx]

The grinding noise you hear is probably the fan that has worn down ball bearings. The fan blades portion is now hitting something it is not supposed to. I had the same problem on a dying power supply fan. You will need to replace the fan or grease up the bearing because it can die at any moment.

 

[rjcoolpix880]

I have the exact same card as you is it a BFG brand ti4200?

mine also does this on bootup sometimes. what was happeneing was the fan was off balance somehow when it spun at high rpm's (bearings i suppose are bad). this is not only anoying but it slowed down the fan so much it probably wouldnt cool which has some potential for doom.

what i did was to take the fan off and clean it and the heatsink of the dust. i then peeled back the sticker and put in a drop of lube(like pete said). blow on it to see if it is still vibrated at high rpm's. its cheaper and quicker to repair than getting a new fan.

 

[Megatomic]

Originally posted by: Pete
If it's no longer under warranty, just peel back the fan sticker and add a tiny drop of 3-in-1 oil.

That's what I was going to suggest he do. I've resurrected 3 fans that way.

 

[nardvark]

3-in-1 does the trick. The only problem I've had is that I find myself needing to apply it about every 2-3 weeks.

that doesn't sound too bad, but it's more annoying than you might hope. If someone has an oil that might last longer, feel free to tell me about it...

 

[nvfx]

Thats only a Ti4200, my X800 Pro is giving the same problem BUT ONLY WHEN I RUN ATITOOL.

I still have my Ti 4200 but my fan after some 6 months started that squeeking sound.

Why it happens, ever read manuals. They tell not to grab a Graphic Card with your Thumb or fingers on the fan. Since your fan is small, it is possible to damage i a bit even when you dont know you touched the fan.

Hmmm. did i hear someone telling you to upgrade the fan.

Why? At only $ 10, you can have a Thermaltake LED Geforce 4 Cooler Plus you get some ramsnks too.