Videocard problem

[ElemenT]

I have a Asus Radeon 9600XT videocard and since about a week the little fan (or whatever the name is) on it started to make alot of noise because it doesn't work that good anymore. I went to a computerstore and the guy told me to put grease on silicon basis under the fan.

And so I did... and the problem wasn't solved. But he also told me that when the grease didn't work, I could just disconnect the fan and that it shouldn't be a problem if I'm not a big gamer. Now I'm not, so that's ok... but I was wondering if it's bad for the videocard to leave the computer on for a long time (I usually leave it on during the week, I don't hear it anyway) and if so, if there is someone that knows something else I can do to get the fan working as normal.

Thanks.

 

[Herjulf]

Do NOT disconnect the fan.

There are replacement fans aviable for low cost. Buy a new fan, the fans ball bearings are problably worn out, thus it makes more sound. If you let it go for to long you might end up damaging someething, as the fan will become hot and get stuck. then drawing more/too much power possibly damaging something. or gfx card simply overheats.

Replacing the fan is very easy. it is usually tiny screws at the edges of the fan itself.
That is if it is the GFX card you see on the picture below.

You are not alone to have problems with asus 9600XT cooler, there are those that have replaced it with a silenter more powerfull cooler so they can OC it better aswell.

There are also more advanced coolers to put on the card a guide on that can be found

http://www.silentpcreview.com/Sections+index-req-printpage-artid-197.html

http://www.zalman.co.kr - has some pretty nice products that are aviable in most computer stores. Look extra much on the duct cooler, that transport the heat directly outside of the chassi, instead of blowing warm air around inside the chassi.

http://www.arctic-cooling.com/vga1.php another good cooler manuafcturer, the replacement fan manufacturer i used for my overpressure case.

 

[Herjulf]

http://www.arctic-cooling.com/vga2.php?idx=41

should fit on your card btw.
Check with AC or your computer store first though.

 

[ElemenT]

Well, I have already disconnected the cooler... :touch:

How long can I run it without the cooler before it becomes harmfull for my gfxcard? I don't really have the time to go to the computerstore I usually go (~60km away) so it'll probably be saturday or so I can get a new cooler then. I am not going back to that ass who told me that I could disconnect it.

 

[eggy]

It's in danger as soon as the temperature gets too high. Depends on your computer setup/case etc.

I would advise monitoring the temperature until you get a new one

 

[ElemenT]

Well, I don't really know alot about computers (I'm more a carguy) so I have no idea how I can check. I do however, have Motherboard Monitor and it gives me a temp of 29°C case, 61°C CPU and the 61°C is in red so I guess that's a bad thing. There's also a 3th sensor but that doesn't give anything.

I'll try to get to that store as soon as possible then.

Thanks both btw.

 

[Kinag]

those 61 degrees are your CPU, not your gfx card's temperature.

 

[Herjulf]

If you use the latest version of the catalyst drivers you should se gfx gpu temp, under the Overclockin area.

It may be "normal" when just looking when not playing a game. that wont be a load on the gpu.

but when playing daoc for example it may overheat, you dont have anything that can transport away the heat from the heatsink effectivly.
For example one of my computers is a Fujitsu Siemens Scaleo X, with a ATI X850XT video card.
The cooling in that computer really sucks from factory.

And when i ran it with the plates on i had very bad airflow in the case, when in windows i had a GPU temp of 56.
And when playing daoc it peaked up to 80degrees or more, and the driver software downclocked the GPU and video memory to protect them,

I had to modify my case with a 120x120 fan, found a nice one with blue led lighting, fits the theme of the case well.

There are similarities to what happens when you run the heatsink without a fan.

I strongly suggest you find a replacement fan. if you are really unlucky if the GPU goes you can end up damaging more then the gfx card.
Order/buy a fan now and u can be fit for fight this weekend.

 

[ElemenT]

Okay. I don't play any game on my computer, except the occasional demo so I guess I'm alright till the weekend. I usually leave the computer on though... but I'll shut him down when not using then.

Thanks guys.

 

[confused]

Imo sounds like alot of dust is on the fan making it unbalenced, take off the whole card, and clean as much of the dust off the fan as you can

 

[Herjulf]

Well, asus did have quality problems with their gfx card fans, well some say they still do.

So it is not unusuall to get toasted fan.

many factors play in, did any of the geeks that built the computer poke on the fan, with his fat fingers? ( a classic, and the early death of many fans )
Manufacturing error, poor quality bearings etc etc.

In the original post your computer hardware store did have one point though.
Greasing the fan up might prolong the life of the fan.

but dont use WD40 or anything like that, such oils are for short duration lubing, and solving rusted up bolts etc. to penetrate etc.

Use sewing machine oils, a little fatter non electric conducting oils. but dont spread it everywhere, what you need to do is get it down the axel down to the ball bearings. And on such a small fan its easier said then done.

edit: oh and it could in itself cause unstability in the fan, the oil will be slung ******ds if applied poorly, and could cause wobbling effect.

Besides a NEW fan is so cheap, the plate of beer and rum im omw right now to buy costs 6x as much.

 

[Herjulf]

and why is o u t w a r d s automatically censored?

 

[ElemenT]

I have called about 10 computerstores now, and none of them have the Arctic Cooler ATI Silencer 2 which I am trying to find. There is however, one where they have the cooler but it's ~45mins away but I can also get it here by Taxipost (which is €16,00) so I might order it through their website on Monday so it'll be here by Tuesday. The cooler is pretty cheap aswell, €28,00.

@ confused: I have cleaned the whole thing with a special "spray" which consists of propane I bought at the computerstore. Something very good... the card is dustclean now, as is my computer.

 

[Konah]

you'll know when it gets too hot cos gfx will freeze or start going strange colours

guy in the shops advice was partly right: if the cooler is big enough and if its got good contact with the gfx chip and if its running at stock speeds and if the case is well ventilated then the on board fan is probably hardly needed.

 

[Herjulf]

you'll know when it gets too hot cos gfx will freeze or start going strange colours

guy in the shops advice was partly right: if the cooler is big enough and if its got good contact with the gfx chip and if its running at stock speeds and if the case is well ventilated then the on board fan is probably hardly needed.

yup it would truely have to be BIG enough. For your gfx card one of the arctic cooler coolers could do the trick, there are some of em that can be ran "fanless" via software turning the fan on and off.

But u would really really need some really good case cooling, infact some air flow past the gfx card would be a good idea.

I have a older version of this video card on my BB comp. (flipswitch fan on/off)

http://www.hisdigital.com/html/product_ov.php?id=206&view=yes

And that is SILENT, and in that fan i run with the overpressure, so i dont need to have the fan on. air is forced through the duct.

 

[Fana]

I use a radeon 9800pro card with no fan, just a huge heatsink (2 heatsinks in fact, one on each side of the card, connecting with the gpu both top and under, and a heatpipe balancing heat between them). Works very well and is ofc completely quiet. My old fan (stock cooling) also died, so i enjoy the comfort of knowing my card will never overheat due to a failed fan when i dont notice etc.

 

[ElemenT]

I have ordered the Arctic Cooler ATI Silencer 2 today, no idea when it'll be here (probably next tuesday, wednesday) but it's not that urgent anymore. The cooler is running alot more quiet now aswell, after I cleaned and greased the cooler.

As a reply on the last replies here... I don't have any special fans/cooler/stuff in/on my case so I guess the cooler I'm getting will do alot of good to my card.

 

[ElemenT]

Got it now... just have to install it. My God, that thing is HUGE. I hope it fits in my system.