Question:

Is this normal for computer hardware?

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My old PSU fan was being really loud and throttling a lot, so I replaced it with a new blue LED fan, same dimensions and power usage as the old one. When I turn on my computer, the new fan apparently works, but it is a bit louder than the old one was back when it was working properly, and furthermore also throttles up and down slightly, seemingly in time with the LED brightness (the pitch being higher when the LEDs are off). In addition, my CPU fan, which previously had remained fairly quiet while revving up for about 30 seconds right after startup or after going out of standby mode, has now been doing the same revving process randomly every once in a while, and a lot more frequently when I was playing a game. My hard drive case also seems to be very warm, the warmest component that I can feel inside my computer; it was probably this way before as well, but I never felt it when the computer was on before. Anyway, I'm wondering, are any of these effects dangerous? Is there anything I should be doing to try to get better cooling, for example will leaving the side of the computer case open help to keep it cool, given that the PSU fan is sucking air in from the back, or will it cause the computer to get dusty too quickly?

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  1. Actually computer cases are designed to flow air through the case better with the cover on. Leaving the side of will not allow the air to flow properly and possibly over heat the processor. I would suggest leaving the case closed. Keeping the inside of the case clean using a can of compressed air will also help maintain proper air flow.  I also think you may be lacking power and should replace the power supply with a higher wattage.


  2. The PSU fan isnt sucking its blowing air out. Air is drawn in from the front and discharged thru the back. Keeping the side off will help it. To fix it you need to see if there are any empty fan areas that need fans in them.

    Check out www.hardforum.com in the cooling section for more help

  3. Newer computer designes are engineered for maximum efficiency.  So the design helps them cool better when assembled.  Sounds to me like your lacking power.  I think you should invest in a higher output power supply.  If yours is 260, go with a 300W.  Good luck.

  4. Case and CPU fan speeds are controlled by ACPI, depending on the temperature of your mainboard and CPU respectively. This is so the fans are cooling when needed, and idle when not needed, saving power.

    Your hard drive will always be hot. The more sophisticated they get, and the more space they cram in there, the harder it has to work and the more heat it will generate. The residual air current in the computer case is sufficient enough to cool it. The entire shell of your hard drive is made of metal which allows it to stay cool without needing forced air.

    Position your case fans so that it's blowing air OUT of the case. This helps keep dust to a minimum. When set up like this, hot air is forced out, and cool air gets sucked in from all of the cracks and crevices of your case.

    If you have the fan blowing air INTO the case, you are essentially recirculating the hot air inside the case in the fashion of a large "O". The hot air has nowhere to go, so it keeps swirling around and around.

    Leaving the computer case on will improve cooling efforts. This creates a channel for air to enter through the front, and leave through the back. If your case is left open, the fans cannot force air out of your case. An open case will leave only standing air around your components. Standing air isn't enough to keep them cool, which is why you have fans in the first place.

    The PSU's fan is solely used to keep the PSU cool, and nothing else. Don't rely on the PSU to help cool the rest of the computer.

    From your description, your computer is working as it should. Nothing to be worried about. Just leave the case on and you'll be fine.

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