Sounds: good or bad from running computer

[BinkerNate]

Since this is under Performance & Maintenance, I wanted to ask people about sounds the computer makes when running.

I seem to act nuts when my computer isn't quiet when running, and if it makes any sound, the sound I would describe as vibrating through the shell/case that could go away if you squeeze the front top, that's what gets me.

Are any sounds bad, and should I worry at all? What are good and bad sounds that can and will emit from your computer?

 

[Slavic]

My PC doesn't produce loud sounds, it's almost noiseless. Of course, it's a result of careful selection of the PC components:
1) Noiseless power supply where fan doesn't work when PC is low loaded;
2) Low-noise CPU fan with vibration dampers, adaptive fan speed in BIOS or in the tuning program;
3) Low-noise video system where fans are stopped during normal operation;
4) No mechanical drives, only SSD storage(s) and external DVD/BD drive connected by USB in rare cases;
5) Good passive ventilation of PC case, so additional fans aren't needed.

As a result, no noise is produced during normal work, including stream HD video (from YouTube, for example). Only the video games with high CPU demand and high-quality graphics may load PC high enough to start the normally unused fans. Otherwise I don't hear the working CPU fan in 1 meter from the case.

 

[BinkerNate]

Hmm, what about hearing its sound from maybe the motor or fan or what i said after being on for several hours?

 

[Slavic]

You need an advice how to determine the most noisy fan in your system esp. after several hours of working and what to do with it? Hmmm, it's not always too easy, but try this anyway:

• Open the case and try to hear the noise close to all installed fans (easy, but not always effective).
• Install the fan control or monitoring programs, which show RPS in real time. I cannot suggest a universal program, but instead, many motherboard and video manufacturers have their own versions. The temperature monitors are a great help too.
• You can disconnect some fans before power on your PC for a short test (about a half of minute, one min max).

I highly suggest to check the dust and remove it with vacuum cleaner, esp. from CPU cooling system. Often it's the primary "dust collector" because of constant working and narrow space around CPU. Strong air flow of the vacuum cleaner should begin to rotate the blades of CPU fan in reverse direction (you will see this), so the dust inside the metallic radiator will be moved away. The same approach can be used for power supply fan.

If the noise is a result of high fan speed due to permanent overheating of CPU, then besides cleaning the dust you should check and maybe reapply the thermal paste. Usually it's provided with the CPU cooling system, also can be bought separately.

Finally, if a particular fan became noisy or produce high vibration because of wearing, consider to replace it. Fans rarely can be repaired, in some cases they can be lubricated with high quality machine or clock oil. Need to remove a sticker, pull the rubber lid and add a couple of droplets of such oil, then assemble all back. Not an easy operation and it not always helps, esp. if noise is a result of a blade misbalance.