Mobo chipset fan died

Lately I've been experiencing lots of buzzing noises coming from my computer and could never find out what it is (I made a thread about this problem not long ago - http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=41453 ). I was using my computer today and the noise was getting more annoying and louder than ever so I opened up the case and was looking for the source but I still couldn't find it. I then noticed that the motherboard chipset fan was acting a bit strange, it was moving slower and slower and eventually stopped and so did the loud annoying buzz.

I know that I need to replace the fan but how? The fan looks like it's fasten down pretty well onto the motherboard and I really haven't seen any places that sell fans like this. Would I need to purchase a new motherboard? Can I still use my computer even though the chipset fan isn't running?

Just to note, my motherboard is an MSI KT3 Ultra MS-6380E ATX motherboard. The fan in question is labeled "NBFAN1" (chipset fan) in the manual.

 

you can simply buy an aftermarket chipset cooler for your northbridge chipset, here is an example http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=35-118-214&depa=0

that one is about $10 after shipping, but you can probably find a cheaper one that will do the job just fine.

i could not verify from the picture of your motherboard HERE whether or not there are actually 4 mounting holes around the northbridge like the example i showed you requires.. so you might want to check that out.

you may enjoy the benefit of a passive heatsink for your northbride, that way theres no fan to die out on you

certainly no need to buy a new motherboard just because of that, i'd just be very careful using it until that its replaced with another fan or chipset cooler.

 

I took a look at that image of that motherboard and it didn't look too much like the fan on mine. Here is a picture that came out of a google image search that looks exactly like mine: http://www.ixbt.com/mainboard/images/roundup-kt333-apr2k2/kt3-ultra-board.jpg . Would the fan at NewEgg still be compatible with something like that?

 

yes, the one on your motherboard is an 'active cooling' heatsink... smaller metal and a fan to blow the air away. the one on newegg is 'passive cooling' so they just add large metal fins that dissipate the heat.

it's nice when motherboards have passive heatsinks on the chipsets for the very reason that you're writing this thread... so there is nothing that can die out like a fan.

that Zalman on newegg will fit, since you DO have mounting holes around the northbridge chipset (my mistake earlier, i thought it needed 4 holes, but only 2 are needed and thats what you have )

 

Ok, thanks for all your help. I'm definitely going to order one today. Are they easy to install?

 

they shouldnt be too hard, just be sure to clean the northbridge well (isopropyl alcohol will do just fine) with a lint-free cloth before you apply thermal compund/grease to it when you are going to put on the new chipset heatsink.

 

Okay. I have installed that passive heatsink in and I've come across a new little problem. Whenever I run my computer with the case door off, it runs perfectly fine but whenever I run it with the case on, I start getting these blue screens and my computer freezes. I believe it's an airflow problem but I would rather not use my computer with the case door open. What can I do? Has anyone else experienced problems like this?

About installing the heatsink. It definitely was not easy at all. Taking off the actual fan was easy but then came the pushpins. The only way to get those little buggers removed was to unhook everything and take out the motherboard just to pinch them so they'd unlock. This was not fun at all. I literally had to remove everything from inside my case. It was a major pain on this major geek. Gladly I got it installed and things seem to be working fine (with the case door off at least).

One thing I was hoping for is cooler temps but I'm getting the exact same temps as I was with the chipset fan. Which is around 45-50c. I have many fans inside my case and I don't see why I should be getting temps like that. Any suggestions on lower my temps would help.

 

what temperature are you reffering to, and where are you getting the reading? (MBM-5 ?)

how are your case fans arranged? ie.. how many, where, and intake or exhaust?

you applied thermal grease to the chipset before putting on the new heatsink, right? just checking.

 

I was refering to my CPU Temp. with the 45-50c remark. It says my board is running at 37c right now. I am using SiSoft Sandra to get these readings.

I have two intake fans on the back of the case, the heatsink/fan on my processor, two fans on the power supply, one fan on the door of the case plus a vent on the very top of the case.

I applied the thermal grease that came with the chipset heatsink on it. I rubbed isopropyl alcohol on both surfaces with a lint free cloth before doing so.

 

a northbridge heatsink wouldn't affect CPU temps at all

 

A buzzing sound? I think you have a bug in your system!

Har Har.

 

the two fans on the rear of the system should normally be exhaust (vent) fans. it is nice to have an intake fan on the front of the system, but i have heard of people using the side case fan as an intake as well (I always use it as exhaust, since i have 2 intake fans up front).

the idea is to get as much air leaving the case as possible. if you have the two rear fans as inake, you culd be messing up the airflow and slightly raising your temps.

in any case, 45-50, while not low, arent high enough to cause trouble in most cases.

any idea whats behind the blue screen? check your eventvwr for system conflicts.