Xigmatek Dark Knight II Fan Vibration

[The300zx1993]

I recently bought and installed my Xigmatek Dark Knight II Night Hawk CPU cooler. After the stupidly hard install, I started up my computer, and ran prime 95 to compare temps. When this test is running, it sets all fans to max speed, this is when I noticed that my whole desk was vibrating. I took the side off my computer and put my hand on top of the cooler, and it was the culprit. You cannot physically see it movies, but you can feel it. I have no idea what is causing this. I followed the instructions to the point, used all the rubber fan mounts and the red "washers" between the motherboard. I don't know what the problem is. Could it be that I over tightened some of the nuts or the "standoffs?" Or is my fan just completely defective. It only happens when at (or close to) full RPM. Any insight would be appreciated.

 

[Calculatron]

Are your rubber vibration-isolators properly installed? Perhaps they are slightly off, which allows the things to resonate.

Is there a noise that accompanies the vibrations, or is it just the sensation of movement you detect? As long as there is no rattling, I think you're good on most accounts of your installation.

Is your fan actually running according to specifications? Max RPM on the fan is supposed to be around 2200 RPM, but there is always variation. I have a fan that is supposed to run 1800 at full tilt, but it actually revs up to 2000. That's over the usually +/- 10% leeway companies usually give. 2200 RPM on a 120mm fan is a lot of fan to deal with, if it ran upwards of 2500 RPM, I could see that causing issues. Perhaps you can set up a fan profile where the max it will spin is actually just below the "vibration point?"

(...Does your case have rubber feet, for vibration control?)

 

[The300zx1993]

Are your rubber vibration-isolators properly installed? Perhaps they are slightly off, which allows the things to resonate.

Is there a noise that accompanies the vibrations, or is it just the sensation of movement you detect? As long as there is no rattling, I think you're good on most accounts of your installation.

Is your fan actually running according to specifications? Max RPM on the fan is supposed to be around 2200 RPM, but there is always variation. I have a fan that is supposed to run 1800 at full tilt, but it actually revs up to 2000. That's over the usually +/- 10% leeway companies usually give. 2200 RPM on a 120mm fan is a lot of fan to deal with, if it ran upwards of 2500 RPM, I could see that causing issues. Perhaps you can set up a fan profile where the max it will spin is actually just below the "vibration point?"

(...Does your case have rubber feet, for vibration control?)

My max fan RPM is slightly over 2100 RPM. The vibration comes in at around 1500 RPM, but it is hardly noticeable at that RPM. Also, there is no rattling or any noise other than that of the air. And by the vibration isolators, are you talking about the red rubber washers between the "standoffs" and the mobo? If so, then mine are slightly off center. And my case has foam feet on it to help reduce the vibrations. Could the air in front of the fan be disturbed by my cables and causing the air to make it vibrate?

 

[Calculatron]

http://www.xigmatek.com/console/uploadfiles/Image/product/AFK-R5251/afkr5251-bg2.jpg

These are the anti-vibration rubber mounts. ("Isolators.") They should be nice and snug, with everything properly pulled through, like this:

http://www.xigmatek.com/console/uploadfiles/Image/product/DarkKnightSD1283NightHawk/nighthawk-fp6.jpg

Make sure they are snug, and properly installed.

The little red washers between your motherboard and mounting system are there mostly to prevent any damage from the metal to the PCB, and also, I think, any freak electrical discharges from happening. As long as you installed the mounting system properly, I don't think it would give you much trouble. Having things loose would probably be more of a detriment than too tight. (Although, you'll know if you have it too tight; your CPU won't boot.)

I have an Enermax ETS-T40, which usually almost the exact same mounting system as what Xigmatek uses for several of their coolers (including the Night hawk.) If properly installed, the heatsink should not be able to... wiggle... in place.

If you find that the isolators and mounting system are as they should... Try putting your case on a folded towel, or put a folded up washcloth under each foot. It could just be that your case is light and flimsy, and allows a lot of the energy to escape. Adding a further dampener might help lose some of that energy before it gets to your desk. That said, there's always going to be a little bit of felt motion; usually you just have to concentrate a bit to really feel it.

As for the cables and air question: yes. Cables and wires in front of a fan can cause additional noise from the airflow alone. Make sure they're tied up neat and tidy!

 

[The300zx1993]

Was looking on Xigmateks website at some of their pictures of the cooler, and noticed this.

Look at where the red circle is, I put mine on the other way around. Meaning that the one on the right is on the left (in that picture) and vice versa. The crossbar was kinda hard to get on and it required some force for it slide down the "bolts" sticking up. Maybe that's the culprit? Also, I can wiggle mine, it's not easy to move, but its not hard to move either, but it does wiggle with some slight force...

 

[Calculatron]

I don't understand what you are trying to explain with how you did things differently, but here is a video of how the installation should go:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zK8SSPox-Q

It will be essentially the same for an Intel rig; I think Intel just flips the backplate and uses different support bars. Either way, there are many more installation videos on youtube, if you are still unclear.

As for the wiggling, is the heatsink itself actually wiggling/rattling in it's mounting system? Remember, the heatsink is supported by two thin strips of metal, which are bolted to a flexible plastic board. There is going to be some give if enough force is applied. The main goal/purpose is to make sure that, indeed, the heat sink is firmly and securely against the CPU.

 

[The300zx1993]

I don't understand what you are trying to explain with how you did things differently, but here is a video of how the installation should go:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zK8SSPox-Q

It will be essentially the same for an Intel rig; I think Intel just flips the backplate and uses different support bars. Either way, there are many more installation videos on youtube, if you are still unclear.

As for the wiggling, is the heatsink itself actually wiggling/rattling in it's mounting system? Remember, the heatsink is supported by two thin strips of metal, which are bolted to a flexible plastic board. There is going to be some give if enough force is applied. The main goal/purpose is to make sure that, indeed, the heat sink is firmly and securely against the CPU.

Took off the Cooler and put the Intel bracket in the correct orientation, made sure everything was properly lined up, and re-installed the cooler; and it was much easier to install this time. This also fixed the wiggly-ness of the cooler. I was sure that this would fix the problem, but nope. The vibration is still present... The rubber fan mounts are all in the fan properly, and they are all on the 3rd fin as specified by Xigmatek. Now I am completely confused as to why its vibrating. I'm about to send this back and buy an H50 or something. Anyone have any other possible solutions as to why it's vibrating?

 

[Calculatron]

Can you take a video of how bad this vibration supposedly is?

Also, did you try adding extra padding (towel)?

 

[The300zx1993]

After further examination, I saw that the fan was actually "bent." I got an RMA issued and got a new one, and it works perfectly.

 

[Calculatron]

Excellent!