mobo chipset/video card fan

[leapingfrog0]

Hey guys,

I've been working on getting my system quieter. I bought and installed new case fans and a new HSF for my proc. Now I'm realizing how noisy my chipset and video card fans are. I don't think the fans were always this noisy. I think age is getting to them. When I first power up the computer, the mobo chipset fan makes this grinding noise like it's wearing out or something. My video card fan makes this slightly audible clicking noise like it's rubbing against something. After the system is on for awhile, all these extra noises dum down, but they're still there (you can really tell when I stop the fans to see the difference). Dust shouldn't be an issue because I dust out my computer frequently and it doesn't fix these fans. I've heard that putting a drop of oil on your fans can do wonders, but I was wondering what you guys think about that. Is it a good idea? Does it last? What type of oil is good? Or would I be better off getting replacement fans somewhere (maybe through contacting abit/asus?)

Also, yesterday while installing my new HSF I spotted a bulging capacitor on my motherboard. Some brown dried up fluid was on the top of it that I scraped off. Is this something to be concerned about? I haven't seen any weird behavior from my system.

Here's a picture. It's the one next to my AGP slot.
http://arc.ireed.net/junk/bulgy_capcitor.jpg

Thanks,
Andrew

 

[fluxquantum]

i went with passive cooling for my geforce 4 video card. i use this zalman
i looked at your system specs and assume you are still using a geforce 2. i believe they make a zalman heatsink for the geforce 2 as well. i don't know if it'll fit your video card though. i would do more research to make sure. here's the zalman for a geforce 2: zm50-hp

you can buy one from here: buy

i wish you luck. after using the zalman along with some 80mm panaflos, my case is super quiet. my geforce 4 fan actually made the most noise. zalman's passive cooling is awesome.