replacing northbridge fan on Asus A8N SLI

[Tommunist]

I knew ahead of time this fan might be noisy but recently it got A LOT worse. The noise from it overpowers the 9 other fans that are going in the case/cpu/PSU. I know there is a heatsink out there that works but my main question is how easy is it to replace - do I have to take the mobo off the backplane or can I do the switch while leaving pretty much everything in it's place? I've very carefully set up my case and wires and I'd rather not have to do it again

Thanks in advance!

 

[Doctorweir]

Also have a look at the many other threads about this topic here...

For me passive cooling is the way to be (see rig)...

Unfortunately, you will have to remove the board from the case to get rid of it (or maybe cut the plastic fingers from above somehow)...

 

[imported_carl]

I went with the Zalman NB47J heatsink. The fan is a pain to get off -- have a friend help you. I had someone push hard on the black pins and then cut them from the bottom of the mobo with some wire cutters. If you try this, be careful you don't scratch the mobo or bend it too much. And you won't be able to put the fan back later if you change your mind, of course.

 

[Tommunist]

Originally posted by: carl
I went with the Zalman NB47J heatsink. The fan is a pain to get off -- have a friend help you. I had someone push hard on the black pins and then cut them from the bottom of the mobo with some wire cutters. If you try this, be careful you don't scratch the mobo or bend it too much. And you won't be able to put the fan back later if you change your mind, of course.

mmm - i'm nervous about getting that rough around all of those delicate electronics. is there any way to just plain quiet the fan down? it's crazy loud at times and I'm realizing that when it isn't running my computer is about 1/2 as loud overall (which is astounding for a tiny little fan).

 

[afilis]

order a replacement from Asus...this is what i have done...and i'm expecting the following days...

 

[lastdon]

well i just called the rma department
for the asus board. and they told me they are replacing it with a heatsink now

and they are sending it out

that is all

 

[Nocturnal]

Easy. A lot of people say it's hard to remove the plastic things, just use a needle nose plier and squeeze the two legs together, it works wonders. I got mine off very easily.

 

[MatrixVPR]

I just posted this:Chipset heatsink

I used needle nose and very carefully pinched and pulled. It took about 5 minutes not including taking out the MoBo. I already had it out though.