Graphics Card Fan Noise

[MaiDong]

I recently got a new graphics card to compliment my new self-build PC, I plugged it in and fired her up and all works fine but the fan noise levels are higher than I want.

I had a look on Google and some people have suggested using a tiny drop of machine oil into the bearings or spindle of the fan, pretty much all the reports have been positive so I thought I'd give it a go, so I sent my motorbike man down the road to get some oil for me, he came back with a little bottle(approx. 150ml) of non-branded machine oil, he said it was for hydraulics and I told him I'd be using it on my computer fan and he was sure it would be fine, any thoughts before I open my computer for a trial?

EDIT - I used to work in an aquatic impeller assembly company and this oil smells just like the bearing housings we used to use there, this gives me confidence that the oil will be suitable...

[Crossy]

I'd be wary of using anything other than sewing-machine oil and of course, bye-bye warranty.

When I get a noisy fan bearing (is that what you hear or is it air noise?) I use a little vaseline on the bearing (usually under the label) works wonders.

[Tywais]

When I get a noisy fan bearing (is that what you hear or is it air noise?)

I'd also be hesitant about applying lubricant to a new card. As Crossy asks, is it bearing or fan blade noise? You can use RivaTuner to control the fan speed if it is too loud. Some games I've had to beef the speed up to keep it cool enough - just monitor the temperatures.

[MaiDong]

I'll check RivaTuner first but I've had a play around with the cards settings and I turned the fan down and nothing happened, the fan still made the same noise with seemingly the same revs, I'll report back in RivaTuner shortly

[MaiDong]

I've got RivaTuner but I can't see any way to control the fan speed though...

[MaiDong]

Hmm, wondering what to do, the fan sounds really dry. The PC was silent before I installed the card, now it sounds like a 10 year old laptop

[Tywais]

I've got RivaTuner but I can't see any way to control the fan speed though...

Sorry about that, I forgot the new version is not as intuitive as older versions.

1. Install the driver, and Rivatuner first.

2. go to Rivatuner "Power User" page, and find "Rivatuner\Fan", clock the + next to it

3. change value of "AutoFanSpeedControl" to 3 (this allows us to change the auto fan controller settings in the low level fan control window

4. go to "Low level system tweaks" page, "Fan" tab

5. now set the values for the auto fan control, don't forget to save it as a profile, and Apply Fan Settings at Windows Startup.

to calculate the values and what those value means, here's a explanation:

D min = minimum duty cycle

D max = maximum duty cycle

T min = minimum temperature (it's the lower limit when the graphics cards is operating, fan duty cycle will stick to Dmin when temp goes below this)

T rage = the range of temperature graphics card is expected to work at. (this variable have straps)

use this to find its value

[Tywais]

If you have an ATI Radeon graphics card then MSI After Burner may be easier to use

[MaiDong]

I've got RivaTuner but I can't see any way to control the fan speed though...

4. go to "Low level system tweaks" page, "Fan" tab

I can't see this Tywais, is it in the same list as in the screen shot you displayed?

[Tywais]

One other thing to check. Be sure there are no wires near the fan. I've built a system, closed it up and turned it on and had quite a bit of 'chatter' going on.

[Tywais]

I can't see this Tywais, is it in the same list as in the screen shot you displayed?

Same list under Power User. Need to scroll down a few lines to see it (RivaTuner/Fan) and click on the plus sign for the options under it.

[Daffy D]

I'd be wary of using anything other than sewing-machine oil and of course, bye-bye warranty.

When I get a noisy fan bearing (is that what you hear or is it air noise?) I use a little vaseline on the bearing (usually under the label) works wonders.

I've always used the Singer oil, have to do it about twice a year. Never thought of using Vaseline, does it actually get into the bearing and how long will it last?

[Tywais]

I've always used the Singer oil, have to do it about twice a year. Never thought of using Vaseline, does it actually get into the bearing and how long will it last?

Now not sure if the OP is talking about the Video card fan or chassis fan. I also use light machine oil in my chassis fans but usually find it a short term fix as the oil is a bit too light.

When the fan heats up the Vaseline will liquify some and flow. May need to try that myself.

[MaiDong]

If you have an ATI Radeon graphics card then MSI After Burner may be easier to use

Tried to install that and got the dll message below;

[MaiDong]

One other thing to check. Be sure there are no wires near the fan. I've built a system, closed it up and turned it on and had quite a bit of 'chatter' going on.

I found this out on my first 'closed-case' startup, got a bit of a shock myself too!

[MaiDong]

I can't see this Tywais, is it in the same list as in the screen shot you displayed?

Same list under Power User. Need to scroll down a few lines to see it (RivaTuner/Fan) and click on the plus sign for the options under it.

Sorry to be a pain Tywais, I can't see it, see my screen shot...

[MaiDong]

I'd be wary of using anything other than sewing-machine oil and of course, bye-bye warranty.

When I get a noisy fan bearing (is that what you hear or is it air noise?) I use a little vaseline on the bearing (usually under the label) works wonders.

I've always used the Singer oil, have to do it about twice a year. Never thought of using Vaseline, does it actually get into the bearing and how long will it last?

Have you done this to silence the 'dry' sound?

[MaiDong]

I believe some of the other sound - more of a whirr[sp] - is from the PSU, it's difficult to distinguish between components

[Spoonman]

Water cool it, I love my silent machine.

[MaiDong]

Water cool it, I love my silent machine.

I've heard of this but haven't looked into it, I bet it costs!

[MaiDong]

My machine is water-cooling ready apparently...

But I definitely don't need water cooling.

The only reason I got a graphics card is because I was going to buy some games to play with my son, I don't need the card for day-to-day use so is it possible to just turn the fan off when it's not being put under much pressure, my case is very well ventilated, it's got 1 'in' fan on the front and 3 'out' fans top, rear & side...

[Crossy]

I'd be wary of using anything other than sewing-machine oil and of course, bye-bye warranty.

When I get a noisy fan bearing (is that what you hear or is it air noise?) I use a little vaseline on the bearing (usually under the label) works wonders.

I've always used the Singer oil, have to do it about twice a year. Never thought of using Vaseline, does it actually get into the bearing and how long will it last?

I put it in with a syringe (no needle), seems to melt in operation and keeps things quiet for a good time. It's no use waiting for the fan to actually seize, apply when it becomes noisy.

[Spoonman]

Water cool it, I love my silent machine.

I've heard of this but haven't looked into it, I bet it costs!

It does when you cannot buy decent individual components locally, you can get some CPU "all in one" set-ups but obviously these will not do your GPU and North/South bridge and realistically are only marginal in this climate anyways.

Another option is mineral-oil-cooled, is going to be my next project.

[Tywais]

Tried to install that and got the dll message below;

That is a missing DirectX component. Did you install DirectX when you installed the video driver? You can download from here > Microsoft DirectX. Or from the video card site. This is what the app looks like when running. I pushed the fan speed up to about 75% to test it and think my computer was about to start lift off.

Using it, you can change your fan speed and see if the unusual sound increases or decreases with it. It does need to be a Radeon GPU and not Nvidia which RivaTurner will work with. In automode, it will adjust the fan speed automatically based on use and temperature.

[Maejo Man]

In the past I have used PTFE spray. It is supplied with thin tubing that attaches to the spray nozzel. Impervious to heat and is far superior to any oils. The link is not the brand I use, but gives you an idea.

.

http://www.blueworksbrand.com/products/high-performance-ptfe-lubricant/

My link

[MaiDong]

In the past I have used PTFE spray. It is supplied with thin tubing that attaches to the spray nozzel. Impervious to heat and is far superior to any oils. The link is not the brand I use, but gives you an idea.

.

http://www.blueworksbrand.com/products/high-performance-ptfe-lubricant/

My link

I'll check that out, thanks for the idea

[MaiDong]

Tywais, I'm using Afterburner and no matter what speed I change the fan to, nothing alters, I still get the constant dry sound. Is a PSU supposed to hum?...

[MaiDong]

Look at this - not a noticeable speed/sound difference - EDIT - what I mean is, despite Afterburner showing my fan speed has increased to 100% I can hear the fan still (dry)humming along at similar speeds

[MaiDong]

I've realised my card may not be equipped with a 'fan controller chip', I'm using an ATI Radeon HD5450...

[MaiDong]

I just took my card out and had a good look at it, strangely it doesn't look anything like the HD5450 models in google search results, see differences in pics below;