How to Fix or Silence a Noisy CPU Fan

A number of components can make noise inside your computer for example, cooling fans, CD/DVD or any other disc drive you are using, hard disk drive, power supply, the casing especially for clone computers if loose, etc. But this is the funny, irritating, alarming loud noise, depending on the individual, that comes from your CPU fan that I want us to have a look at. It is usually a loud noise like that of a vacuum cleaner, or a car accelerating and it only happens for a brief period of time then it is gone only to happen again. Sometimes it is so loud and intense that you will see people starring alarmingly at the computer as if it is going to burst.

Well this kind of noise usually occurs when your processor overheats. This overheating which can destroy your processor happens because the CPU and the fan housing are not making 100% contact with each other. This 100% contact is important because the excess heat produced by the processor must be absorbed by the heat sink and then dissipated to outside environment. The work of the CPU fan in your PC is to remove the hot air and bring in some cool air; this cool air then literally cools the heat sink which in turn cools the processor.

So how do we fix (silence) this noisy fan?

First of all you have to make sure that the fan is okay, this can be done by checking it physically. After determining that the CPU fan is okay, you will need to buy a thermal paste. Yes! Thermal paste, heat sink compound, thermal gel, thermal compound and also known by other names, will do the trick. This thermal paste is a fluid substance (very similar to a tooth paste), used for thermal conductivity between two thermal conductors. This thermal interface material fills the invisible gaps between the CPU and the heat sink and since the thermal paste conducts heat better than air, it ends up improving greatly the thermal conductivity of your processor.

How to do it

You will need to open your system unit cover to access your processor. This is after turning of your computer and removing the power cable from the wall socket. I suggest you can take this chance to blow or vacuum the dust that has accumulated in your computer for the last ... To access your processor; you will have to remove the fan and heat sink first. The two are usually fixed together. The heat sink is usually held into position by clips, observe them keenly how they have been hooked before unhooking them. Having done that, you will be able to see your processor; you don’t have to remove it, unless you just want to have a look at it. Apply the paste evenly on top of your processor surface. You can make use of a small brush and if not available you can improvise what to use. After that, return your heat sink and hook it back firmly. Connect everything back and power on your system. If it powers on properly that means you have not messed with your system and you have fixed a noisy CPU fan.