Is it bad to always have your fans at max or close to max?

[Arishok N7]

Pretty simple question. Doesn't seem like it would hurt anything.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Just your ears

Tho it could be a sign of an underlying problem.... if it is spinning fast when it doesn't need to be than that's indicative of an underlying problem .... dust accumulation, TIM gone bad, loose mount, etc

 

[Arishok N7]

Just your ears

Tho it could be a sign of an underlying problem.... if it is spinning fast when it doesn't need to be than that's indicative of an underlying problem .... dust accumulation, TIM gone bad, loose mount, etc

It's not like that. I have it set up in my precisionX to run at max. I do it cause it makes me feel like everything is always running cool.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

That's why I said "could" .....if you don't know why it's running fast when it has no need to, then there may be a concern. If it's running fast simply cause you want it to, then if the noise doesn't bother you, it's fine.

 

[maddogfargo]

Fans will last a little longer at lower RPMs, but they are not expensive to replace.

Other than service life, noise and airflow/temperature performance is the only other factor I would consider.