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I have an ancient 4th generation I7 computer (Asus motherboard) that's been great for the basics for years. Over the last few days it's suddenly been experiencing overheating issues and it turns out that the CPU fan is not spinning. In fact it's rocking back and forth with a slight tick.
A quick Google suggests that this might be voltage related and suggests upping the fan voltage in the bios; despite there being a multitude of overclocking options (that I don't understand) I don't appear to have this.
I've reloaded the bios default and turned of everything unnecessary and even removed the sound & graphics cards, running the onboard graphics, to reduce load - with no effect. Rails seem fine and I'm not experiencing and other crashes.
The obvious next step is to replace the fan, but I'm not convinced it's broken. It occasionally spins up with no signs of straining or bearing wear and I can spin it easily with the flick of a finger. It's set to be on permanently in the bios.
I guess a new fan is the next thing to try unless any of you clever folk can think of a solution.
- EDIT -
The fan's reported as spinning around 1200rpm in the bios (though obviously isn't).
How much is it to replace the ancient, perpetually spinning and likely worn out thing?
Very little I suspect. I shall investigate.
I know absolutely nothing about PC's but if this website doesn't make it spin, it's busted. Probably from this website wearing it out.
👆🤣
Mines doing the same, laptop runs for approx 12 minutes then overheating cuts the power. Going to rig up the hoover and dump any files to a memory stick before binning it.
Assuming you are using a normal sort of PC case, you can get a 92mm cpu cooler for £14, easiest option. You could just replace the fan, but the CPU paste will be dried crap so you really need to remove the cooler and repaste whilst you're at it. New cooler will come ready pasted.
www.amazon.co.uk/Thermalright-ASSASSIN-Aluminium-Heatsink-Technology/dp/B0BNBX5MZT
What geforce junky said, chuck a cheap cooler onto it, and re apply the thermal paste at the same time. Sorted.
Something like this could be an option, cheaper but has push pins to attach rather than a backplate so will be able to fit it without pullig the motherboard out..
Wold need some thermal paste, cheap ones are bout £1.50
I've ordered a replacement Intel one (the same that's currently fitted), cooler & fan. It's not dissimilar to the one linked to above & can be fitted/ removed from the front of the motherboard.
Fingers crossed it works 🤞 and it isn't the motherboard that's on the way out. Has thermal paste applied apparently.
I did remove the old one and hoovered out years worth of dust but it still wouldn't work.
It's broken. Replacing it is the right thing to do.
Get some specialised cleaner to remove the old paste. I use TIM cleaner which seems to be discontinued now, which is a shame because it's awesome stuff.
When applying new paste, less is more. You're filling in micro-imperfections on the mating surfaces, not making an Oreo cookie.
Wait.
can be fitted/ removed from the front of the motherboard.
Huh?
The Intel style coolers just kind of pop in and lock in place.. As opposed to a tower cooler which normaly requires removing the motherboard to fit a rear mounting plate... Think that's what he's referring to.
Rubbing alcohol/IPA is fine for cleaning the old paste off the chip.. Or even meths or white spirit in a squeeze.
Yeah you just position the cooler over the cpu then just press the 4 pins on the corners through holes in the motherboard and they lock into place. No need to access the back of the motherboard. It can be released from the front too.
I've got some isopropyl alcohol so I can use that. Thermal paste is preapplied to the heatsink apparently.
This is really funny on the subject of thermal paste..
Ah. By "front" I assumed they meant "towards the front of the case" rather than "on top of the board."
Yes you need a very thin smear of paste. It actually has a much lower thermal conductivity than the aluminium you're smearing it on.
mattyfez
Full MemberThis is really funny on the subject of thermal paste..
I cringed so much when it was being applied to the socket 😅
Interesting results however, I'm guilty of overthinking this quite badly it seems.
If you need to get it working in the short term sometimes a drop of oil in the bearing under the sticker in the centre of the fan will get it going again.
Something thinner like (yes, I know) WD-40 would be preferable to oil, but it is very much a short term get-you-home fix.