Curious

Ever since I got my Dell Dimension 8400, I have been plaqued by a rather loud CPU fan. I had it replaced only to have it still be loud when I use my computer for video compression. Now when I have the CPU running at 90 - 100% for video compression, the fan not only runs loud, it continues to run even after the compression program is done. It will only slow down when I put the computer on standby or turn it off and then turn it on again. I tried to get some help from Dell. Their technical support is outsource so I'm not sure they are grasping my problem.

They state that maybe it is the processor which is running abnormally hot. If that was the case, then putting the computer on standby then restarting it should not resolve the fan noise. The processor should still be hot thereby necessitating that the fan should continue to run high. They state that the fan may be obstructed (They have asked me to open the computer each time only to find nothing wrong with it). Again, if it were obstructed, why should the fan continue to run high if the program that created the high CPU usage has completed its function?

What is most frustrating is that the technical support continues to rattle on about what a CPU fan does and when the fan should come on (even when I have told them I understand the function of the parts).

Thus, I'm turning to users on this forum who have been very helpful in the past for my purchasing needs. Any thoughts on this problem?

Is the stock fan on the 8400 (probably same physical dimensions of an 8300) supposed to be really loud at 90 - 100% CPU usage? What would cause the fan to remain at a high RPM even when the CPU usage falls back to 0 - 1%? If the stock fan is supposed to be really loud, which of the third party quiet CPU fans would be compatible with the physical dimensions of an 8400?

Hoser

You could try something like this: http://www.svc.com/zalcnps6500a.html

or this: http://www.svc.com/cl-p0019-14.html

The first heatsink has a bigger fan (on a bracket) than you would normally have directly attached to a heatsink. It can spin slower, but still move as much or more air than a smaller fan. They (Zalman) also sell bracket and fan combos (without heatsinks) for cooling. The fans are either 80mm or 92mm. If you do a search on the net or Zalman you should be able to find several retailers.

The second heatsink doesn't have a fan attached but would still need airflow to remove the heat. It uses the heatpipes to pull the heat from the CPU.

Curious

Thanks for the input. The way that my computer is configured, I'm not sure if I can use that device. I have a Nidec Beta V Model M35291-35 CPU fan. I took it off the computer to see if there can be a quieter replacement for this fan. Unfortunately, this fan is encased with a plastic and metal device that surrounds the heat sink and I will need to get a fan with the exact dimensions and voltage requirements (12V). The fan sits next to the grill on the back side of the computer while the casing is directed inward. The fan is 92mm x 92 mm x 38 mm. Does anyone have a quieter viable alternative to this fan that will be sufficient to keep the processor cool? Thanks.

By the way, for those who own a Dimension 8300, is the cpu fan the same as the 8400? If so, does running the processor at 90-100% cause the fan to become as loud as a loud conversation? Thanks.

Update: I went to Fry's to see if there was an alternative to the stock fan. I understand now that the connection to the motherboard is also a hinderance as this connection may be proprietary. Ugh.