Loud Noise from PC

[elyono58]

Hey guys,
Since the past or so my computer has been making a loud noise ( probably from one of the fans although I am not 100% sure of the origin of the noise ) and wanted to know what should I check for in order to quiet down my PC.
I recently cleaned my PC and got rid of the dust on my CPU fan.
Temperatures in my PC are all normal ( 40-50c most of the time ).
CPU fan is usually running at ~2400RPM.
Currently using an Intel i3 3320 3.30 ghz CPU.
Should I be worried about this noise?
How can I minimize the noise?

 

[Ralston18]

First you need to identify the source of the noise.

Maybe a cable came loose during the cleaning and is now in contact with a fan. Look for anything loose that could be vibrating.

Or some other piece of debris was missed and is now in one of the fans.

Did you use canned air to clean the fan blades? If you blasted the blades and made them spin (as many people do) you might have damaged the fan.

Open the case an listen from different anges to see if you can determine the source. You can always unplug one fan at a time to see if the noise stops with any given fan.

 

[notlim981]

First you need to identify the source of the noise.

Maybe a cable came loose during the cleaning and is now in contact with a fan. Look for anything loose that could be vibrating.

Or some other piece of debris was missed and is now in one of the fans.

Did you use canned air to clean the fan blades? If you blasted the blades and made them spin (as many people do) you might have damaged the fan.

Making the blades of fans spin with air can or compressed are does not damage the fan or the blades. Accumulation of dust can make the fans louder even after you clean it as some dust gets inside the fan core where canned air can't reach.

 

[Isokolon]

if it's a louder noise that comes from one of the case fans, it sometimes helps to either loosen or tighten the screws a bit
sometimes, especially when the cable management is not ideal, a wire can touch GPU/CPU coolere and create noise
also it could be a sign of imminent HDD failure depending on the noise

but I guess it's just a fan that is vibrating more than it did prior or is slowly dying.
better check the exact source of the noise

 

[Ralston18]

@notlim981 - Thanks. Interesting about the canned air and fan blades.

Someone told me about that quite some time back and I have always abided by that since. Likewise also avoid leaving condensation on the surfaces by blowing the cold air too close. And many fans are cheaply made so I would not be surprised if the bearings get distorted or damaged when cleaned. I hold the blades still with a drinking straw.

Took a quick look on google - found this link:

https://www.cnet.com/forums/discussions/how-do-you-safely-clean-the-inside-of-your-desktop-computer-619335/

Guess I just tend to be the cautious type.

 

[notlim981]

@notlim981 - Thanks. Interesting about the canned air and fan blades.

Someone told me about that quite some time back and I have always abided by that since. Likewise also avoid leaving condensation on the surfaces by blowing the cold air too close. And many fans are cheaply made so I would not be surprised if the bearings get distorted or damaged when cleaned. I hold the blades still with a drinking straw.

Took a quick look on google - found this link:

https://www.cnet.com/forums/discussions/how-do-you-safely-clean-the-inside-of-your-desktop-computer-619335/

Guess I just tend to be the cautious type.

Don't ever EVER vacuum the inside of the PC. There is nothing wrong with canned air as it has the right pressure to not damage any components. Compressed air also must be used on the right pressure, and if you don't have neither, you might use a strong hair dryer, just don't set it to blow hot air, hot air on electronics is used for other purpose than cleaning.

 

[elyono58]

What is the best way to identify the source ? as far I can see / hear when I open the case no wires are touching any of the fans and I cant seem to find which fan is making the noise.

 

[Ralston18]

Can you describe the noise with more detail? Rattle, buzz, click, hum,....? One time/constant, varies, high/low frequency?

To identify the source:

You may be able to locate the source by touching all around the outside of the case and feel for vibrations. Press gently and see if the noise stops.

Do the same with your ears as well.

Unplug the fans one at a time.

Power off, unplug, and look around inside the case for anything loose that could vibrate or resonate.

 

[notlim981]

Unplug all the fans except the CPU cooler fan and go from there.

 

[elyono58]

Can you describe the noise with more detail? Rattle, buzz, click, hum,....? One time/constant, varies, high/low frequency?

To identify the source:

You may be able to locate the source by touching all around the outside of the case and feel for vibrations. Press gently and see if the noise stops.

Do the same with your ears as well.

Unplug the fans one at a time.

Power off, unplug, and look around inside the case for anything loose that could vibrate or resonate.

It makes like a loud vvrrring noise similar to that of an motor. Sometimes after the pc is running for a bit it slows down and becomes slightly louder than normal and after a bit goes back to making noise.

 

[elyono58]

Unplug all the fans except the CPU cooler fan and go from there.

I only have 1 case fan installed and I can't really hear it being the source of the noise although it is possible,
however I cant seem to find the cable that is connecting it to the mobo.
The fans on GPU are off most of the time as they only turn on when the card gets hot.
Is it possible the PSU is making noise ?

 

[Isokolon]

when you unplug everything (shouldn't be too hard to follow the cable from the case fan to it's destination) and only have the CPU fan and the PSU connected you should be able to identify the source
then plug in the other components one by one and see when the noise starts

 

[elyono58]

Is it possible the noise is from the PSU ? when I press on it or around the area the sound diminishes a tiny bit

 

[USAFRet]

What is the best way to identify the source ? as far I can see / hear when I open the case no wires are touching any of the fans and I cant seem to find which fan is making the noise.

A rolled up piece of paper, held to your ear.
Move it around in the case may help localize the noise.

 

[Ralston18]

Could be "from" the PSU. My thought is that there is some resonance/vibration taking place.

In any case, try to pinpoint the noise location as suggested by USAFRet.

Otherwise, with power off and unplugged, gently tighten the screws around the PSU. See if the sound changes for better or worse.

You may also be able to loosen the PSU screws and shift it one way or another (won't be much) then re-tighten the screws.

Check other screws as well. Could even be a loosening rivet in the framework. Be careful not to overtighten. Just snug. If the screw(s) loosen again then that can be dealt with as necessary.

 

[notlim981]

There also could be vibration coming form HDDs. In case you have more than one in your system, you could put a piece of school rubber on them to soften it.

 

[elyono58]

I noticed as well the sound gets really loud on startup and softens are I use my PC, I'm finding it very difficult to pinpoint the noise even with the roll of paper

 

[Ralston18]

Try a cardboard tube from a paper towel roll or toilet paper roll - the cardboard tube will be a bit stiffer and will help with locating the source.

Did you try tightening or loosening some of the fan housing screws as was suggested? Just some small turns either way to see if that makes a difference. Look for other components that are loose and thus create the noise, then as they warm up and expand/tighten the noise dimishes.