STORM2K

Well, another problem on my computer...

My CPU fan has been making weird noises. I asked my dad if it needed to be changed, but he said that it could wait until it breaks.

Would this be a good decision? Usually not, but I mean, could a broken CPU fan damage the motherboard, CPU, or other parts on my computer?

Yes it can. If the fan breaks, it has no way of exhausting that heat away from the processor, which will result in that to overheat and to die. It could also lead to failure of the motherboard as well. Better take care of that soon. CPU fans are not that expensive.

tomboudreau wrote:Yes it can. If the fan breaks, it has no way of exhausting that heat away from the processor, which will result in that to overheat and to die. It could also lead to failure of the motherboard as well. Better take care of that soon. CPU fans are not that expensive.

Thanks for the advice. I'll get it replaced as soon as I can.

Keep ur computer off as much as possible when not using it to avoid overheating and get it replaced very soon. Less then 36 hours would be good.

Fans are usually very easy to replace. Don't get cheap with a replacement, as the fan is what keeps Mr. CPU from going Urrrrgh.

I would change it ASAP. What will happen, is that it will suddenly be all quite or barely humming. You'll think "Goody, it's working again" when really it's stopped or barely turning. The tip-off will be a blue screen of death and possibly a DOA processor.

Replacement fans usually come with a special compound that you spread on the CPU. READ AND FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS. I like the fans that have the big cooling fins and special ball-bearings. Look your setup over, and make sure that such a fan with it's larger blades and cooling fins can fit inside the case.

Question: How many fans are there in the computer? I'm starting to think that this is not the CPU fan (thought it was since I thought there was only one fan in the computer), googled and the CPU fan is in the middle, this one's in the back.

Another question: How does dust affect the fan's performance?

Thanks HurriCat and ohiostorm for the replies.

Dust will build up and slow the fan down. As it builds up, it will slow the fan down to the point where it will no longer work up.

To answer your second question, some computers have various fans throughout the case. There is also another fan inside the power supply, and now some of the video cards out on the market have fans on them as well.

Also, some people have fans that go between their hard drives and CD-roms.

Hope this information helps.

tomboudreau wrote:Dust will build up and slow the fan down. As it builds up, it will slow the fan down to the point where it will no longer work up.

To answer your second question, some computers have various fans throughout the case. There is also another fan inside the power supply, and now some of the video cards out on the market have fans on them as well.

Also, some people have fans that go between their hard drives and CD-roms.

Hope this information helps.

Thanks for the info, maybe it's not the CPU fan, in which there would not be a huge problem, WAY too much dust near my computer, so that's probably the reason. I'll be sure to dust my computer later today.