Replacement fan and heatsink

[tintauriel]

I was given an expensive custom made pc as a gift. It was quiet to begin with but soon became noisy. I've isolated the problem to the fan and heatsink, which appears to be an old Acer model!
https://i.imgur.com/yePGe16.jpg

I'm unable to contact the maker of the pc so asked Acer for update suggestions but they weren't able to help as it isn't one of their computers, apart from advising me to look at fans suitable for LGA 1151. So, will any fan do? The board is vertical if that's any help.

The seller's incomplete notes says my pc has ASUS H110M-PLUS (DDR4, S-ATA 600, Micro ATX) with INTEL i5-660K SR2L4 350GHZ X611B140 (E4).

I've researched different models and wondered if this would suitable for my computer? https://www.amazon.co.uk/Noctua-PWM-Fan-Small-System/dp/B00TBHYYFK/ref=pd_rhf_se_p_img_14?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=VT7ABGCPP67C4QXH057Q

The innards of the pc:
https://i.imgur.com/U8ZlE9w.jpg
https://imgur.com/Qa2akoJ
https://imgur.com/8EfHS8i

The cpu and bracket and heatsink were covered in excess thermal paste. Hope this hasn't affected the workings.

 

[CountMike]

Yes, that would be a very good CPU cooler, it's just matter if it would fit in the case. The old fan seems to be pretty damaged.

 

[Karadjgne]

Very clean pc. That's an excellent start. Yes, there shouldn't be any issue with that Noctua, it's a very quiet fan and a very good choice.

A cheaper alternative

CPU Cooler: CRYORIG - H7 49.0 CFM CPU Cooler (£34.99 @ Overclockers.co.uk)

 

[tintauriel]

Yes, that would be a very good CPU cooler, it's just matter if it would fit in the case. The old fan seems to be pretty damaged.

Noctua support suggested NH-D9L too but reports on Amazon reviews about the springs being difficult is offputting. I'm not technologically minded so it's hard to choose.

Yes, I'm so annoyed. The PC guy said everything was new!

 

[tintauriel]

Very clean pc. That's an excellent start. Yes, there shouldn't be any issue with that Noctua, it's a very quiet fan and a very good choice.

A cheaper alternative

CPU Cooler: CRYORIG - H7 49.0 CFM CPU Cooler (£34.99 @ Overclockers.co.uk)

 

[tintauriel]

Thank you, I'll put that on the list to research too. The original case he used was very small and obsolete but changed it over to a bigger, newer case after we complained. Unfortunately, the cables that are out of sight at the back are all tied together making the cover bulge! So now I have to look at separating them with velcro ties. I got that tip from this site.

 

[Karadjgne]

Velcro is good if you plan on moving stuff periodically, but could just as easily use small zipties if it's a more permanent solution.

Just be careful with that 6600k, don't try for a big OC. None of the above coolers are built to really handle that kind of heat output

 

[tintauriel]

Velcro is good if you plan on moving stuff periodically, but could just as easily use small zipties if it's a more permanent solution.

Just be careful with that 6600k, don't try for a big OC. None of the above coolers are built to really handle that kind of heat output

OC =overclocking? I have no idea how to do that anyway so think I'm safe! The velcro seems a good idea for now as not really sure how to spread the cables out. At the moment, the back cover doesn't fit properly without squishing the cables. Is there a particular brand of zip ties that people prefer or is it generic?

 

[Karadjgne]

I usually head down to Home Depot or Lowes, in the electrical isle you'll find a lot of zipties for pretty cheap. I'll usually use a couple of 8" for the bulk that comes through first, then the much smaller 4" for the rest. The black are better than the nude/clear, better temp resistance. But they also have multiple colors too. You have the entire area behind the mobo to spread out, so use it. I got happy one time and used over 50 zipties back there, but many were doubled up, using a ziptie to hold another ziptie.

Push come to shove and you can always modify your case. Takes nothing more than a pencil, drill and good metal drill bit. Organize your wiring as needed, make marks on the backside that the motherboard is mounted to. Pull the pc apart, removing the motherboard, then drill some holes in pairs about 1cm apart. Don't push hard on the case, let the drill do the work. Then thread your zipties through both holes. Can use those to hold wires, other zipties, velcro strips, pretty much however you want to. Any zipties left unused can be then left as is for maybe later usage, or pulled out.

 

[tintauriel]

I usually head down to Home Depot or Lowes, in the electrical isle you'll find a lot of zipties for pretty cheap. I'll usually use a couple of 8" for the bulk that comes through first, then the much smaller 4" for the rest. The black are better than the nude/clear, better temp resistance. But they also have multiple colors too. You have the entire area behind the mobo to spread out, so use it. I got happy one time and used over 50 zipties back there, but many were doubled up, using a ziptie to hold another ziptie.

Push come to shove and you can always modify your case. Takes nothing more than a pencil, drill and good metal drill bit. Organize your wiring as needed, make marks on the backside that the motherboard is mounted to. Pull the pc apart, removing the motherboard, then drill some holes in pairs about 1cm apart. Don't push hard on the case, let the drill do the work. Then thread your zipties through both holes. Can use those to hold wires, other zipties, velcro strips, pretty much however you want to. Any zipties left unused can be then left as is for maybe later usage, or pulled out.

 

[tintauriel]

Goodness, this sounds quite a job. Thanks for the detailed answer - perhaps I should have put this in a different thread as this would solve the question of separating the cables. Seems like I will have to buy a new motherboard because I noticed one pin was missing and several were bent. Sigh. This all started with a noisy PC and what I thought was the fan!

 

[Karadjgne]

From the picture, that heatsink/fan should never have been paired with a 6600k to start with. Also from closeups, there's definitely damage to the fins themselves, which guarantees you'll have a louder fan the faster it spins. For a new pc, that fan should have been in pristine condition. Seriously, it looks like the builder just threw something on there that was kicking around his bench for a month with no thought or consideration for performance or reliability.