Bad CPU fan?

[alphacooler]

I have noticed my machine locking up a lot lately. So I checked the temps and it has been idling around 55C and sometimes gets up to 70C under load. Obviously this is MUCH TOO hot. So I opened the case and noticed the STOCK AMD FAN was running load. I put my finger against the it (the circular center part while it was running) and all of a suddent the fan's RPM kick WAY UP and my computer cools down to 43C idle. But then a few hours later I hear the fan RPM kick down (it's pretty loud) and the temp goes back to 60C.

I have an ASUS board but there is no QFAN installed (regulating fan RPM based on heat) so I am assuming this is a problem with my FAN. When the computer is running hot and I check the cpu fan rpm they vascillate from 2500 down to 0 every few seconds. So something must be wrong.

Do you guys think this is a busted stock AMD fan on my Athlon 2000+? I bought this thing retail about 3.5 years ago so I think it might be out of warranty.

I do not overclock at all and so I don't need anything other than a replacement fan that will fit on this stock AMD HS. Any suggestions?

EDIT: I can't help but think that there is some software control of FAN RPM. Right now (after touching the fan...which I think slows the rpm enough to make it kick up to 6000rpm) I am at 41C idle. This is doable if I could keep the fan at 6000 rpm. Is there any software out there that can do this? Or is there a setting somewhere? I am running on an ASUS A7N266.

 

[H4x3r]

yes...bad fan...if it's spiking like that and you're not the one causing it...also since you touched it and it spun faster thats another clue that it is bad.....at those temps i wouldn't use the computer too much until you get an aftermarket HSF...they arent too expensive if you're not wanting to OC....and i really mean don't use the computer...70c on an Athlon 2000+ could kill your CPU

 

[alphacooler]

So if this is a bad fan, then I need a replacement 60mm FAN. I think I can use the old Heat Sink.

I looked around on newegg for 60mm fans, but are these case fans ok to use on a heatsink for processor cooling? Or do is there a certain type of fan (rpm range) that I need to be focused on.

 

[H4x3r]

you can most likely replace it with a regular 60mm fan....but 60mm is still small...i would recomend getting a heat sink that comes with it's own fan...instead of just replacing the fan it's self

 

[alphacooler]

you can most likely replace it with a regular 60mm fan....but 60mm is still small...i would recomend getting a heat sink that comes with it's own fan...instead of just replacing the fan it's self

I understand there are probably much better HS out there, but why for my purposes would I need a new heat sink as well?

ALSO, does anyone have any ideas on where to get a 60mm online w/free shipping. Everywhere I check has shipping that is more expensive than the fan.

Perhaps frys might have something? Thanks.

 

[alphacooler]

Bump anyone?

 

[septoid2]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...ice=&MaxPrice=&SubCategory=62&Submit=Property