Geforce 7900GS - fan dying?

[KnickNut3]

I'd appreciate your help. I used to be well-versed in PC building and options, but have lost touch with it since building this system ~2 years ago.

About a week ago a fan in my PC started buzzing loudly. Sounds would ebb and flow, whir, etc. Opened up my PC today and it's my video card--an XFX Geofrce 7900GS. I took the cover off and took out the fan, it looks OK, and it's not clipping a wire. Doesn't look like it's seen spinning very quickly. Video card is no longer under warranty.

So, what are my options?
(a) Can I get away with just using the heatsink? I've survived for at least a week with not much of a fan. I rarely play video games anymore.
(b) Is there an easy way to buy a replacement fan that I'm sure will fit? Seems to have a triangular shaped base with three screws into the heatsink.

Thank you!

 

[angry hampster]

Download Rivatuner from Guru3d.com and see if you can force the fan to spin higher. I wouldn't recommend running it with just the heatsink unless you've got a big fan blowing directly past it.

Or, pick up a new low-end card for cheap..you might as well get into Directx10 territory. These will be comparable and/or better than the 7900GS for games:

Radeon 3650:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814127375


or the new Radeon 4650 is only slightly pricier and worlds ahead of that^:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...2E16814127384&Tpk=4650

 

[AnonymouseUser]

You should be able to run it without the fan so long as you don't play games. I would suggest adding a slot cooler just below the card though, to help keep it cooler.

 

[KnickNut3]

Hmm, a slot fan right below it may be easier than trying to find a fan to fit the heatsink, with essentially the same effect, right?

Would rather not buy a new card. If anything, I'd let this one burn out first, nothing to lose if I'm going to trash it.

Any other ideas, or specific slot fan or other option? Thanks.

 

[rogue1979]

Clean the fan and heatsink with alcohol.

Carefully remove the sticker from the backside of the fan and add one small
drop of motor oil using a toothpick or something similar. Replace the sticker or if that
isn't adhesive enough anymore cut out the appropriate shape from electrical tape.

Reapply thermal grease and you should be good to go.

The noise you are hearing is the fan bearing and lubricating it will work most of the time.

 

[gorobei]

you can put an aftermarket cooler on it.
i have the zalman vf700 on my 7900gs
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835118116

i've seen oem versions at dealextreme for 7$.

 

[KnickNut3]

Hmm, thanks for the tip, rogue, I'll give it a try.

I don't have motor oil, but I have 3in1 oil and similar. Anything else that I can use that'll work? Tnx.

 

[rogue1979]

Originally posted by: KnickNut3
Hmm, thanks for the tip, rogue, I'll give it a try.

I don't have motor oil, but I have 3in1 oil and similar. Anything else that I can use that'll work? Tnx.

3in1 will work. I just prefer motor oil because it is thicker.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: KnickNut3
an XFX Geofrce 7900GS... Video card is no longer under warranty.

I thought XFX had a lifetime warranty?

I usually use whatever light oil I have on hand to lubricate the fan bearings. Can get a few more months out of the fan.

 

[KnickNut3]

Hmmm, I'll have to look into that, Zap, thanks. TBH I can't find the receipt so I figure it'll be hard to get it fixed anyway. Plus if a new fan is <$10, not worth sending the whole card back.

 

[KnickNut3]

Worked like a charm, rogue. Hope it lasts. Thank you!