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Forum Thread
Is my liquid cooler fan dead?
November 13, 2024 at
05:56 AM
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In my Cyberpower PC gaming computer, the interior fan on the backside of the case doesn't spin. The exterior one (closest to the back of the case) does... and all three of the front ones do. Pics attached.
Is it broken?
I ASSume this is part of the liquid cooler due to the hoses running from underneath it.
Here is the tower I'm using [amazon.com] -- but I don't game on it. Just basic HD video editing for work.
Perhaps I'm not running it hot enough for it to NEED to run?
If it IS dead, can I just replace the one fan with something like this [amazon.com]?
EDIT: I just went into the BIOS and checked the fan speed settings. Pic attached. I tried forcing a "full speed" setting on it. Applied it. Assuming that is the fan I'm thinking it is, it's still not spinning. I was getting some -- what I assumed to be bearing noises -- before
Is it broken?
I ASSume this is part of the liquid cooler due to the hoses running from underneath it.
Here is the tower I'm using [amazon.com] -- but I don't game on it. Just basic HD video editing for work.
Perhaps I'm not running it hot enough for it to NEED to run?
If it IS dead, can I just replace the one fan with something like this [amazon.com]?
EDIT: I just went into the BIOS and checked the fan speed settings. Pic attached. I tried forcing a "full speed" setting on it. Applied it. Assuming that is the fan I'm thinking it is, it's still not spinning. I was getting some -- what I assumed to be bearing noises -- before
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There are simple ways to test a fan with a multimeter, but I would simply suggest taxing your CPU load. There are many free programs designed to stress-test your PC, if you run something like that you should see the fan in question come on.
I used to use Prime95 [mersenne.org] back in the day, looks like it's still around and being maintained...
Edit - to answer your other question, if you choose to replace that fan any 120mm fan will suffice, simply unplug, remove the four screws, install the new one and plug it in. It's a little bit more complicated than that (google static pressure vs airflow fans if you want) but if you're not taxing your PC to begin with, any fan will suffice. If you do swap fans, make sure you install the new one in the proper orientation so it's moving air in the proper direction.
There are simple ways to test a fan with a multimeter, but I would simply suggest taxing your CPU load. There are many free programs designed to stress-test your PC, if you run something like that you should see the fan in question come on.
I used to use Prime95 [mersenne.org] back in the day, looks like it's still around and being maintained...
Edit - to answer your other question, if you choose to replace that fan any 120mm fan will suffice, simply unplug, remove the four screws, install the new one and plug it in. It's a little bit more complicated than that (google static pressure vs airflow fans if you want) but if you're not taxing your PC to begin with, any fan will suffice. If you do swap fans, make sure you install the new one in the proper orientation so it's moving air in the proper direction.
I went ahead and bought this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BWKZGYXJ
Much appreciated. I'd rep you if I could, but I don't see the option with your profile.
Any idea if this cable is necessary for operation and/or what it would do? I can't find its male counterpart. Pic attached.
EDIT: Figured it out! ~1 minute video here. [youtu.be] THANK YOU for your help!
PWM is Pulse Width Modulation and by connecting that to your motherboard, it allows your motherboard to control the fan. You likely have some setting in BIOS that is for performance or quiet mode or possibly some settings in between. That PWM connector is what gives your BIOS that control over the fan speed.
Cheers!
PWM is Pulse Width Modulation and by connecting that to your motherboard, it allows your motherboard to control the fan. You likely have some setting in BIOS that is for performance or quiet mode or possibly some settings in between. That PWM connector is what gives your BIOS that control over the fan speed.
Cheers!
That rabbit hole got me thinking about the fan. When I found the fan setting in the BIOS, I tried tinkering with the fan speeds, but the busted one never spun up. After I installed the new fan, I went back into the BIOS and used a fan tuner "app" to let it diagnose the optimal fan speed settings. There were also the pre-set speeds and a custom one where I could set certain temps.
Now I'm pondering doing the front three case fans. They're all spinning, but the bearings are JUST noisy enough to kinda get on my nerves when I'm sitting in a quiet room. I'm GUESSING the current ones are daisy chained somewhere/somehow (in terms of fan speed, not RGB signal). I'm thinking the current ones don't use the same typoe of "plug" that the one I just bought uses, so I'd probably need to get a PWM "hub" of sorts.
It's not just the case fans, though, you also have your PSU fan and if you have a dedicated GPU it likely has a fan (it's been a long time since I've seen any passively cooled GPUs).
But yeah, I agree with you, I hate sitting in a quiet room and hearing my computer.
Edit to add - since you say you don't normally tax your PC, I'd be willing to bet you could simply unplug all three of those front case fans and you'd be just fine from a temperature standpoint.