Abit KT7 chipset fan making funny noises

[lowrider]

I have an Abit KT7-Raid and the fan on the chipset makes some really weird noises sometimes. It buzzes, but only for a few seconds and then it sounds normal again.
Should I just take it off? How important is it to have a fan on the VIA chipset?

My CPU is overclocked but no adjustment was made to the FSB.

Thanks

-Lowrider

[This message has been edited by lowrider (edited 01-02-2001).]

[Long Haired Hippie Phreek]

You might consider taking it off, cleaning it up real good, and putting it back on. Also, make sure the screws are a bit loose when you put it back on, securing a fan down to tight can make it buzz.

Also, clean up the chipset heatsink while the fan is off.

[lowrider]

The motherboard is less than 2 months old. Cleaning the fan might work, but is it really something I should have to do every month?
Would it hurt to just leave the fan off?

[NDC]

Would it hurt to just leave the fan off?

May or may not, but wouldn't you feel better replacing that fan than leaving it off? I certainly would.. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[lowrider]

I only want to replace the fan if I need to or if my system is going to benefit from it.

Most other socket A motherboards only have a heatsink on the VIA 686A.

Was Abit just taking an extra step by putting the fan on it (maybe for those who want to OC the FSB) or is there a reason why it has to be on there?

[Long Haired Hippie Phreek]

It is there to aid in stability even without overclocking, and to make the board last longer. Abit does silly stuff like that.

[Brian48]

Yes. I've replaced the heatsink/fan from my KT7-Raid, however that did not cure the problem you're experiencing. After checking and replacing several fans (including case fans), I don't think the problem is with the fan itself. I think it has something to do with the way the motherboard powers up. After it warms up for a few seconds, the noise goes away as RPMs stabilize. I do know that it effects more than just the chipset fan. Case and CPU fans are effected as well. At one time, I replaced EVERY fan in my PC, including 4 powersupplies. The noise would either go away for a short time or exhibit no change.

Somewhat related. I posted this over at Apushardware's forum, but you might want to read this also:

If you haven't already done so, EXAMINE the chipset heatsink on your motherboard.

I accidently damaged the little fan on the VIA chipset a couple of days ago so I went about replacing it with a 486 fan. When I was screwing the new fan onto the heatsink, I noticed it was a little loose. Not a lot, but it did have a bit of play when I tried moving it a bit with my fingers. I'm not surprised, since it uses the same flimsy push pins found on Guillemot video cards.

Anyway, I felt that it was just too loose for my liking so I took the heatsink off to examine it further. What did I find? Both the heatsink and the surface of the chip had a slight concave to it. This left a HUGE air gap between the heatsink and the chip. The base of the heatsink was barely touching the chip at the corners. The (small) glob of heatsink compound that was applied at the factory was not even pressed and spread. I doubt this chip had received any cooling at all since I've had it.

Since the chip is too close to the motherboard's PCB, the only thing I could do is lap the heatsink. After flattening it a bit and using a generous glob of silver grease to fill the gap, I remounted it again using a better set of push pins (that I cannabalized from an old Tennmax cooler). This setup will have to do for now until I find a better solution.

Some of you with systems locking up during intense 3D applications may want to explore this area if all else checks out.

I have since replaced the entire unit with a 486 heatsink and fan. The size is perfect for this motherboard, however you'll need to use double-sided thermal tape or some type of thermal epoxy to attache it. I would fortunate enough to have a sheet of thermal tape left over from another cooler that I had not used yet.

[lowrider]

That makes sense. Has anyone (who removed the fan on the 686A) had any problems?

[lowrider]

I appreciate all your help Brian, but I think you misunderstood my question. I wanted to know if anyone has taken the fan off the VIA 686A, left it off, and experienced any problems.

Last night the fan on my motherboard was constantly buzzing. Before it was just once in a while. So, I took the thing off.
I haven't noticed any difference in stability (yet) and the reduction in noise is nice. I'll take the heatsink off and apply some arctic silver to make sure I get rid of the heat the best I can without a fan. If I do run into problems, I'll take your advice and use some thermal tape to stick a 486 fan on there or maybe even a blue orb.

I don't understand why you had to replace 4 power supplies but I know what you mean about the fans buzzing when you first turn on the computer. I'm hoping a better power supply will cure that problem.

[Brian48]

I happen to have 3 other powersupplies laying around so I used them to test. You might want to go over and post this question over a Apushardware.com. I've seen this question posted over there at one point and if I remember right, only one person had a problem with running his system without the fan installed.

Personally speaking, if all the heatsinks are as clumsily mounted, it doesn't matter if the fan works at all since the chip in not getting any cooling either way.