Hey, I'm back. lol.
If you'd rather this thread stay dead just ignore this post and I'll post a new thread on this topic. I would be 100% okay with that.
I installed the mobo software that lets me monitor the fan settings from software while in windows 11. Silent, Normal, Manual modes. I'm a little nervous messing with these settings as I don't want to do something stupid and turn off my fans. As a precaution, I could set alarms in my bios for when temps get too high, but I'm not sure what the limit should be.
The fan noise, other than the honing sound, has a subtle surging sound to it as well, repeating on a frequency. This is hard to describe. Just doing the best I can.
According to my mobo software, here's what I've got in NORMAL mode which is what runs by default. These vary, of course, but here is a snapshot. Just running the mobo software from desktop, nothing else going on ("no load"). Fan/speed.
"Normal" Mode (default)
CPU/991
Sys1/783
Sys2/697
Sys3/696
CPU temp: 35
Fan Duty Cycle: 56
If I go to "Silent" Mode, I get:
CPU/698
Sys1/672
Sys2/639
Sys3/635
CPU temp: 35
Fan Duty Cycle: 38
In "Silent" mode, the PC is essentially quiet and I have no issues with noise.
At no load, for both Normal and Silent mode, GPU fans aren't running at all, I guess becuase I'm not stressing the GPU.
I do expect to have more noise when I'm under load, but in a quiet room the "NORMAL" fan mode, the noise is petty, but still quite annoying. I can't get used to it.
It SEEMS to me that the noise I'm getting is from the CPU fan. Not sure when it starts, but it definitely goes away when I go from NORMAL (970s) to SILENT (650-690s).
I don't see a way to specifically adjust the fan speed with this software even in "MANUAL" mode. Seems I'm just dragging the dot on the grid I guess to tell the fan when to trigger at what temp rather than what actual speed to run. Same thing playing with fan controls from BIOS.
I guess the idea, once I figure out how to do it, would be to tweak just the CPU fan perhaps buy running a custom version of fan speed using the MANUAL mode. But I shouldn't have to do this, right? It's a new PC, not overclocked, and I should be able to run on NORMAL mode. On Silent mode, with no load, cpu temp seems are unaffected, but of course I want to run safely when loaded as well, so I'd like to keep it in "normal" mode if possible.
Anyway, I'm first thinking about hardware fixes.
1) It is possible I didn't apply the termal paste very well? I could redo it. Does a fan speed of near 1000 suggest it isn't cooling well?
2) If not the paste, perhaps my CPU cooler install is incorrect somehow? I mentioned during the build my cooler was almost resting on the memory sticks so I raished the fans up a few mms. Perhaps the cooler body is touching the mobo somewhere amd sending a vibration sound through the mobo? Just specualting.
3) I bought the Thermalright PS120 SE.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BNH1W546/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
Fan described as:
【PWM Fan】 TL-C12B V2; Standard size industrial grade PWM performance PC fan: 120x120x25mm (4.92x4.92x0.98 inches); Fan speed (RPM): 1500rpm±10%; Power port: 4-pin; Voltage: 12V; Air flow: 66.17CFM (max); Noise level ≤25.6dB(A), high performance fan combined with efficient heat dissipation The cooling body of the unit gives you the best cooling effect.
There are two fans. How about I just buy a couple of high quality "SILENT" fans to replace these? Could you suggest a replacement?