Does the radiator appear dirty? It might be worth cleaning it to improve airflow.
Does the radiator appear dirty? It might be worth cleaning it to improve airflow.
I notice you keep repeating this and in many years owning PC gear I've never encountered any problems with this. Not to mention the various tech personalities like Corey Holzman who advise you to do it that way.
Not trying to criticize you, but I just don't see or have ever seen or heard such strong evidence of your performance being this good, maybe only a few others here agreeing.
I suppose it depends on the situation.
It seems the outcome depends on various factors, including the type of fan and environmental conditions. Exposure to smoking and vaping near a PC can affect plastic components. I've observed several GPU fan blades breaking after being exposed to a vacuum cleaner. These blades are usually thinner and positioned closer to a heat source. It might just be that spinning the fan while using the vacuum causes the blade to snap, rather than the spin itself.
The voltage aspect is definitely valid. You can verify this using a basic multimeter. Checking if the motherboard includes a reverse bias diode for protection is another consideration. PWM fans are harder to test, though.
The quality of the fan plays a significant role. Affordable fans often have weaker hub connections and are more likely to break. Thinner blades at higher speeds can stretch and affect the frame. A fan meant for 1500 RPM will behave differently from one designed for 6000 RPM. High-quality ball bearing fans tend to be more durable, while cheaper sleeve bearing fans may wear out faster. Static pressure fans versus airflow fans also function differently. Modern hybrid fans have distinct characteristics too.
The age of the fan and its bearing condition should be taken into account. If the fan already shows signs of wobbling or excessive spinning, it might be more prone to failure. People rarely clean brand new parts, so this adds another layer of risk.
Personally, I haven’t experienced this issue before, but I always avoid spinning the fans while cleaning. It’s a basic safety measure. I usually disassemble and clean everything by hand, making good use of case filters. (I used to have long hair, and now I have a cat.)
Over the past fifteen years, I’ve started purchasing higher-quality parts, making it harder to judge the average 5 dollar case fan. I still occasionally buy budget Cooler Master fans for general use, but they’re not built for continuous operation.
There are a huge amount of videos on YouTube. Jayztwocents I believe when he isn’t producing serious content he engages in silly actions. He has actually damaged fans’ equipment with things like air compressors and blowers. He also performs a similar voltage meter test as the previous video, demonstrating how a fan can create dangerous voltages.
I would also highlight that the Intel stock fan is quite compact and well-crafted overall. It lacks a full frame, which actually alters the airflow around the blade's edge. Just because it might not be ideal doesn't mean skipping the precaution isn't wise. Check something similar and confirm it can withstand any force you throw at it.
I think you might really dig into that and find it tough. I used to purchase quite affordable cases from DIY PC, often with fans of that kind—Molex or fixed lighting deals. Honestly, despite their rough appearance and feel, none of them caused any problems for me. I know it seems silly, but sometimes even asking a customer to add $10-20 to a build for better fans feels like stepping too far.