Case fan loss causing CPU to overheat?

[duk_chan]

My top case fan (exhaust) decided to start quitting on me last week; running loudly and about 400RPM below normal, I'm assuming the bearing wore out. Today I turned on my system and the motherboard started its 'CPU overheat' beeping only seconds afterward. Would the loss of just one fan cause the system to heat up that quickly?

I have another exhaust fan in the back...I can't see why one fan would make such a difference. Would a fresh application of thermal compound solve this until I can order a new fan? I'm really at a loss as to what's going on.

System info: (don't know what I need to put so here's what I think is relevant)
[strike]2[/strike] 1 NZXT 140mm case fans
Intel Core i5-2500K with provided heatsink and fan
ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP LGA 1155 ATX Intel motherboard
SeaSonic S12II 430B 430W ATX12V V2.3/EPS12V power supply

It's a 2 year old system and has been running without issue until now.

 

[IAmTheTofu]

I would just get a new cooler altogether.

Cryorig H7
He can also buy a cooler at any time and overclock the i5 as it's unlocked.

It should fit in most cases, and it's slightly better than the 212 evo (Plus it's smaller!)

If you don't want to buy a new cooler, try rubbing all the thermal compound off gently with rubbing alcohol and cotton swabs on both the cooler/heatsink and the surface of the CPU. After that's done, apply some more in an x-pattern, not too close to the sides, though.

Paste it like this (Square is processor): http://prntscr.com/79hhj3

 

[duk_chan]

I would just get a new cooler altogether.

Cryorig H7
He can also buy a cooler at any time and overclock the i5 as it's unlocked.

It should fit in most cases, and it's slightly better than the 212 evo (Plus it's smaller!)

If you don't want to buy a new cooler, try rubbing all the thermal compound off gently with rubbing alcohol and cotton swabs on both the cooler/heatsink and the surface of the CPU. After that's done, apply some more in an x-pattern, not too close to the sides, though.

Paste it like this (Square is processor): http://prntscr.com/79hhj3

Appreciate the suggestion! I did apply some new thermal compound and it got the temp down quite nicely....may overclock at a later time.

Unfortunately, the motherboard is still beeping even though the system boots/runs fine and temps are within acceptable range. :/ Currently figuring out that problem.