HSF reading 10,000+ RPM in SpeedFan... correct?

[edro]

ThermalTake A1795 Copper Base

In SpeedFan, at 100% speed, it shows about 10,700 RPM.
At 50%, it shows ~5800 RPM.

The fan's stock speed is 5500RPM.

Do you think SpeedFan is just displaying a doubled speed value, or do you think it is really doubling the voltage to the fan and the fan is actually spinning at double the speed?

When the fan is running without SpeedFan, it is pretty loud, so I installed SpeedFan to cut back the speed a little to quiet it when I am not gaming. It works great, but the displayed RPM does not seem right.

At the same time, I do not think this HSF should be this loud. (pure fan noise, not grinding or rubbing)

 

[BonzaiDuck]

The lead specification line for your cooler's description says it all to me:

"Application for AMD Opteron and Athlon 64 / Athlon 64 FX / Sempron Socket 754 "

I was very dismayed after three years of fine-tuned use of SpeedFan on a socket-478 system with an Intel chipset, when I tried to install it on a C2D/C2Q-ready motherboard using the nVidia 680i chipset.

Same problem you have there.

But wait. Certainly Speedfan has had wide applicability among AMD system builders. So I have to ask "What's going on with this?" I just noticed, though, that Almico's support for nForce mobos with SpeedFan is pretty darn sparse.

 

[Zepper]

Yes, use the Health management utility that came with your mobo first (check your mobo maker's site for a later version to download). Then try generic (like SF) only if they are known to support your mobo's health chip and you aren't getting what you need from the OEM utility. Very few of the generic health monitor utils support Abit's proprietary, Guru health chip.

Any 5500 rpm fan will be loud. Tt's noise specs on their fans and coolers have historically been fanciful at best - but they do say 43.5 dB which is nowhere near the quiet zone. Replace the stock fan with an Evercool 70x70x25mm fan (available from Nexfan, Newegg et al.) and it will do the job at a slower, quieter speed. I originally had a 70x15mm, 5k rpm fan on my heatsink, but I'm using the Evercool and running it at about 2300 rpm (max is only 3400 for the same output as the stock fan)... I bought two to have one for a backup and to justify the shipping cost. Nexfan also sells on eBay, so you may save a bit if you check there too. You may need to get some longer screws from your local, well-stocked hardware store (home depot and lowes usually have good assortments of odd hardware) or just put the original screws thru the bottom fan ears and shim them out with washers if necessary.

.bh.

PS: The Evercool 70x25 seems to be OOS everywhere right now. I found a 70x25 YS Tech at www.sidewindercomputers.com - it is even more of a screamer than your stock fan but can put out another 30% CFM. I don't know how slow it can be turned down as sidewinder doesn't mention the working voltage range - give them a call to find out (6-13.x Volts is a good range, 5-13.x is even better). I found some 70x15 that might be usable at thermalFX.com and buyextras.com. Worse to worse, I could sell you my backup but you can be sure I won't let it go too easily... LMK. I found a Cooljag/Everflow 70x25 at FrozenCPU.com but pricey. You could check with Nexfan to see when they expect stock on the Evercool... .bh.

 

[edro]

I am using an Asus K8N nVidia nForce3 250 motherboard.
Asus has a Cool n Quiet function and driver, but it is only for XP and 2000. I am running Vista 64bit.

Do you think I should stop using SpeedFan (which I would like to do) and mount a different fan on the ThermalTake copper heat sink?

My current setup (60% = 6600rpm) keeps it at 42c idle.
I dropped it down a few hours ago to 5500rpm (50%) and it is showing idle at 47c.

That seems pretty hot.
Perhaps my thermal paste sucks? I am using an old tube of Arctic Silver (5 years old).

 

[Zepper]

Anything 60 deg.C or less is safe for long-term use, under 50 leaves a wide margin. I suggest changing fans just for extra quiet as they give the same or greater airflow at way fewer RPMs.

.bh.