fan noise... so is this alright?

[rh71]

I have the ATI 4850 in a Q6600 machine and it seems an electric saw sound is coming from the video card fan since when I turn down the fan speed via Catalyst Control Center, the noise disappears. I guess I have no alternative here if I want to keep temps somewhat lower... the fan speed is at 55%. If I set it to 35% there's no more saw noise but the temp goes from 72C to 84C (yes C not F) at idle according to CCC... is this temp too high?

 

[Modelworks]

Open it up and start unplugging things.
Could be a fan or hard drive.

 

[rh71]

^ edited

 

[Slugbait]

84C is probably just a smidgeon too high.

So you've got more of a cooling problem than a heat problem. I'm going to assume the card is out of warranty, so you should look at some aftermarket stuff. Zalman makes some pretty good VGA coolers.

 

[daw123]

Originally posted by: rh71
I have the ATI 4850 in a Q6600 machine and it seems an electric saw sound is coming from the video card fan since when I turn down the fan speed via Catalyst Control Center, the noise disappears. I guess I have no alternative here if I want to keep temps somewhat lower... the fan speed is at 55%. If I set it to 35% there's no more saw noise but the temp goes from 72C to 84C (yes C not F) at idle according to CCC... is this temp too high?

Are you saying that with the fan speed at 55%, the idle temps are 72C? If so, that is too high.

Reading Slugbait's link, it seems that these cards run hotter than the 4870; my 4870X2 at 50% fan speed was idling at 48C. At 100% fan speed it idled at 38C. It hit roughly 75C under load.

Before you try an aftermarket cooler, have you tried re-seating the stock cooler with new thermal paste. It may improve the temps. Otherwise, go with Slugbait's suggestion and use an aftermarket cooler.

 

[Slugbait]

Originally posted by: daw123
...have you tried re-seating the stock cooler with new thermal paste. It may improve the temps.

That's probably not going to resolve the noise issue...it appears that the bearings may be toast. I'm thinking either the fan was a cheapo, or it got invaded by dust.

 

[daw123]

Originally posted by: Slugbait

Originally posted by: daw123
...have you tried re-seating the stock cooler with new thermal paste. It may improve the temps.

That's probably not going to resolve the noise issue...it appears that the bearings may be toast. I'm thinking either the fan was a cheapo, or it got invaded by dust.

You're right that it won't resolve the noise issue - go for the aftermarket cooler.