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Motherboard fan making nasty noises

N

nitric0

Member
I have a DFI LANParty UT NF4 Ultra-D motherboard..picture: http://www.thg.ru/mainboard/20...4-ultra-d-boardbig.jpg

The fan on the motherboard is making some nasty noises, I took apart my whole computer and cleaned it and took out the fan and througoughly cleaned it. The fan is still making noises and I wanted to replace it. What fan should I get and from where? I can't get a big heatsink because my videocards back part sits on top of the fan (this isn't the problem since it doesn't touch the fan). Where can I replace this fan?

Thanks
 
Your link doesn't work, but I found this pic on newegg

Your first problem is going to be removing the fan. It's held on by snap in nylon retainers. If you break them, you will have to find replacements or use screws and nuts of the appropriate size.

Two things you can try:

1. The quick fix may be to shoot some WD-40 into the fan motor bearing. You'll want to get the spray into the motor and clean up any residue that gets on the fan blades and surrounding plastic frame.

This won't hurt it, but it may not help, either, depending on whether the bearing is shot.

2. Contact DFI's tech support to request a replacement fan. If you do this, also ask them to include replacement nylon retainers. That will cover you if you damage the original retainers while removing them.

Good luck. 🙂
 
Is there any cheaper chipset cooler? Any site I can select my own, while it's compatible with my motherobard? Also is there a way to find out the dimensions of the fan? I need to know if it will not disturb my videocard.
 
Originally posted by: nitric0

Is there any cheaper chipset cooler? Any site I can select my own, while it's compatible with my motherobard? Also is there a way to find out the dimensions of the fan? I need to know if it will not disturb my videocard.
Click to expand...

Start by knowing the voltage and current rating, the exact dimensions of your fan and the kind of connector you need for it. If you can read the make and model, you can search for it on Google.

Once you have that info, you'll know what will fit and work from other makers. If possible, get one with double ball bearings. It will last longer.

Fans are generally pretty inexpensive. Here's a link to some from All Electronics in Southern Ca. Search all three pages of their fan listings on the site. If one those they list matches what you need, it'll probably be under $3.00.

And before you go any further, try the WD-40. Even if you replace the fan, if it works, it will cover you while you're waiting. I haven't done it to one of my vid cards and the fan in my PSU since this morning. 🙂

Originally posted by: nitric0

Also is there a way to find out the dimensions of the fan?
Click to expand...

That's why I invented the ruler. 😉

Fan's are usually specified as the diameter in mm.
 
I cleaned the fan with a WD-40 earlier today. The fan is really clean, it's just that its loose and won't buckle down. I'm not sure how to get the exact dimensions of the fan, but any idea if this will work for a replacement? http://www.svc.com/slc-s41-u1-19.html
COOLER MASTER SLC-S41-U1 BLUE ICE CHIPSET COOLER

 
My suggestion was to lubricate the bearing by squirting WD-40 INTO the fan motor, not to clean the exterior.

The best way to get the info about the fan is to contact DFI's support. They'll have the exact make and model, as well as the size. If they use multiple vendors, they'll have more than one maker.

And if your board is still under warranty, they may just ship you one. 🙂

Trust me on this. I design electronic products. You want a fan of the right size, voltage and current rating, preferably with the right connector and preferably with the same or similar blade configuration.
 
Wait that is a VGA cooler, will this work on the motherboard as well?
Click to expand...

Harvey
Elite Senior Moderator
Posts: [B]25896[/b]
Click to expand...

Trust me on this. I design electronic products.
Click to expand...

Trust him on this.

First review on the Newegg product page says:

Took a wee bit of maneuvering to "pin" it down onto the DFI northbridge, not bad though.

Second review: fit my 680i perfectly. i needed a cooler for my south bridge so i could water cool my north bridge. this was just what i needed.

In other words, lots of folks using this to replace borked mobo fans.
Trust Harvey on this.

HTH

NXIL


 
Originally posted by: nitric0

Wait that is a VGA cooler, will this work on the motherboard as well?
Click to expand...

A VGA cooler is a fan and heatsink combo usually designated for use cooling the chipset on a VGA card. One problem you could have using this combo is that you'd have to remove the original heatsink from the chipset on your board. That could be difficult if it was attached with heatsink compound that is also permanent epoxy glue.

You need to determine several things:
  1. How is the fan attached to the heatsink?

    You will probably find it is held to the heatsink by three to four small screws. You need a fan with the same dimensions and mounting centers.
  2. How is it powered?

    The pic I posted from newegg appears to show three wires, red, blue and black, in the kind of connector commonly used for connecting fans to a motherboard. That also suggests the fan speed is monitored by the system so you probably want the same kind of fan. However, if all you can find is a two wire fan, it just means it will always run at full speed, which shouldn't be a problem.

    If you're going to replace the entire heatsink and fan with the one on newegg, you will have to use connect the larger plug to an available plug from your power supply, or you will have to convert it to the smaller type of plug. It's easy if you know how to solder and where to find the right connector or adapter. If not, it's easier if you can find an exact replacement.
  3. How is it physically mounted?

    To replace just the fan, you need to know the mounting centers for the screws that attach it to the heatsink. If you're going to replace the entire heatsink and fan, you need a until with mounting holes for the nylon retainers that hold whole unit that correspond to the mounting holes on your motherboard.
Your best bet is to e-mail DFI for info. I have had DFI boards, and they have always been very helpful when I needed assistance. Judging by the comments I've seen posted, elsewhere, they may be aware of the problem with these fans. At a minimum, they can give you the exact model number, which will allow you to search for the specs for a good replacement. If they've had enough complaints from others, they may even send you a free replacement.

Bottom line -- You'll save time, money and frustration if you start with more information. You don't have enough, yet.

For reference, this appears to be a 40 - 45 mm fan.

40 mm = 1.57"
45 mm = 1.77"

25.4 mm = 1.00"

Again -- Good luck. 🙂
 
Hi-

Googled "replace NB fan LANPARTY UT nF4 Ultra-D", and this unit that Harvey recommended keeps coming up:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...+CORP.++LTD-_-35119080

http://www.evercool.com.tw/products/oemodm_vcre.htm

Some discussion on the surgery itself:

http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1080876

I like this, no fan to fail, and, flat, unlike some of the Zalman NB replacement fanless coolers. Looks like it will fit; however, this new "ruler" thing may help. (And I thought that Dickie Cheney was our ruler).

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/encnfoconohe.html

Also available here:

http://www.jab-tech.com/Everco...GA-Cooler-pr-2291.html

In the Newegg photo linked on the second post, the two nylon push pins can be seen pretty clearly I think--and, I do NOT think they used adhesive to glue the NB heatsink on. (Disclaimer: your mileage may vary. Coffee may be hot. I have been wrong before. Thank you.)

Oh, and best to have some cleaner ready to remove the old heatsink thermal paste (non adhesive I hope), and new thermal paste, though it looks like it comes with at least the Newegg VC-RE.

Good luck, hope this helps,

NXIL

PS: and of course Harvey's advice to contact DFI is the best--if under warranty, they should send a new NB fan; that is a bit of an older (?!) mobo, though, so, if not under warranty, they can at least give info on replacing it. GL!

Edit: typos.
 
Thanks a BUNCH guys. I purchased the VC-RE..you guys have been REALLY helpful. Never seen a forum that helps new people like this, I will definitely be posting here more and will recommend my friends to this site if they have any problems. Such a friendly site 🙂

thanks once again
 
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