laptop CPU HS/fan replacement

[konakona]

My compaq V6719NR started making some rather unpleasant noises when the fan is in motion. I have already attempted blowing it with compressed air at no avail. Seeing how i have been using it the whole time for good 2+ years, I think it's safe to assume the fan on the cpu heatsink is nearing its end of lifetime.

HP wants about $60 for a new one, about double of what I was willing to pay at the most. Not surprising at all, I had my share of shocking revelations when I was trying to fix broken AC jacks on my old laptop where mobo replacement was advised. A friend of mine had good success buying one for his own laptop off ebay, so I was going to follow his suit.

Then I realized most of the vendors were selling used ones. With all the trouble and risk gone into disassembling and putting it back together, I was hoping it would last me another good year or so at least. A new one is highly desired, so I am wondering if there is a better place go for one of these. If you ever had to do the same, where did you buy your replacement fan?

 

[konakona]

HP PartSurfer gives you no more than just the part number (449961-001), so it is nearly impossible to tell if the fan is detachable and could be replaced separate from the heatsink/heatspreader assembly. If so, I could probably get away with something like this, or else the cost would literally double.

One way to find that out would be start taking the laptop apart now, but didn't quite feel like doing that (and putting it back up only to take it apart back again when the fan comes) just yet. I know some of you must have bought this laptop, care to lend me a hand here?