Really loud fan noise?

I got a dell dimension c521 and I notice at random times it has a really loud fan noise. Sounds like an airplane is about to take off or something? It usually happens if im playen video games and what not. I was wondering if this a bad thing or if its normal, and if theres anything I can do to prevent it from getting so loud? Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions?

 

The fan runs at full to extract the heat when playing. About the only thing that you can do is to open it up and clean out any dust that you can see.

 

Just a thought. It might also be the bearing inside the fan needs lubricated(fans grinding inside creating the noise).

 

That condition is usually the result of dirt buildup in the CPU cooling Heatsink.


I solved that same condition for one of my customers by taking out the heatsink and washing it using a scrub brush and soap and water. After the cleaning, the fan never again ran at max speed, even when the CPU was busy.



Before reassembly, the heasink got a fresh coat of thermal compound.

Good Luck,
The Shadow :cool

PS: Keep your PC up away from the floor, so this doesn't happen to you.

 

Sorry! Double Post!

The Shadow :cool

 

LOL @ 3rd pic Shadow!uke:-D

 

Aight I mean it looks clean but ill take em both out and give it a try. I know theres a little dirt build up on the fan but I might as well give it a shot. Thank you for your help . And that pc looked gross lol.

 

Hey the shadow. I just opened it up and cleaned out the heat sink and the fan and what not. And got all the dust out of the front ventilation slits. Ima go try to play a game and let you know if it still has that loud fan noise. If it does than its whatever I guess ill just wear head phones lol. Also if you can tell me where I can get thermal compound and how to apply it that would be cool. Because when i was looking at it the compound looked a little iffy.

 

Wooo hoooo cleaning out the dust worked. Thanks alot guys.

 

There ya go man! Woohoo!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3gx6c62D7I
Here's a video on how to Remove and Apply thermal paste. You can find thermal paste at Staples for around $10 or so. Hope this helps.
Spock96

 

Great vid!

Thermal compound is also available at any Radio Shack store.
One small tube can last you a lifetime, unless you're installing a large number of CPU's.

Again, thanks for the video,
Shadow :cool

 

Maybe I should show this video to my friend so maybe he can actually "LEARN" something. HAhahah