Is the CPU fan functioning under excessive strain?
Is the CPU fan functioning under excessive strain?
Hi,
I’m experiencing an issue where my CPU fan seems to be overworking. After testing, the noise it makes isn’t a typical malfunction sound—it’s more like the fan is working hard and creating a strong airflow. I was able to pinpoint the problem by checking other fans on the PC. In Task Manager, no programs were using excessive power. The CPU temperature reading is normal, even cooler than usual, and when I touched the machine it felt cool.
I’ve also tried adjusting fan speeds with software like Fan Control and SpeedFan, but both didn’t help. The Fan Control tool reported no sensors detecting the fan, and SpeedFan indicated it couldn’t affect the fan speed. I attempted to access BIOS via F12 during a crash, but that didn’t resolve anything.
I’ve looked into using the BIOS through a bluescreen, though there was no UEFI Firmware option available. I discovered my BIOS is legacy, and even after trying to change it with the command prompt, it failed.
At this point, the only possible solution seems to be replacing the CPU fan, but I’m not sure if that’s the right fix. The fan itself is only two years old and shouldn’t be acting this way. I have an AMD FX Ultra Pro PC, which is about nine years old. I upgraded the power supply, RAM, and fan in 2023, and recently got a new FX 8320 from CEX in 2024. I also installed an SSD for gaming.
Are you referring to "fan" or "cooler"? Since "fans" don't include thermal paste and don't use it, while the CPU cooler does, it would help to clarify what you mean. Have you replaced just the fan or the entire cooler? And as I mentioned earlier, swapping it with another cooler of the same kind probably wouldn't work because if the fan is already spinning fast, a different cooler of the same type wouldn't make much difference.
Obtain a fresh cooler. The previous one was mediocre and didn’t impress. What amount are you planning to spend on an upgrade?
Back in the day these CPUs could overheat quite easily. If you haven’t replaced the CPU, now would be a good opportunity. As mentioned by the moderator, upgrading the cooler would be beneficial. For those on a tighter budget, consider checking out Thermalright dual tower coolers such as the Peerless Assassin. This should make a noticeable difference.
Now I’d consider putting money into something more recent. The FX line performed poorly at launch and consistently struggled with speed and performance. Running a used Z87 board with a 4690 and using the same RAM you already have would cost around £20-30 and would be much faster and more impressive. That cooler alone isn’t enough; you really need an upgrade. Even a more affordable option like a 212 EVO would make a big difference.
I'm currently struggling financially. It would be helpful to upgrade to a new PC soon, but I can't afford it right now. I'm considering purchasing the same fan and then getting a new PC later this year.
I'll definitely try that option too.
It's better to invest in a new PC rather than just a temporary fix.
Thanks for your suggestions; I think I've figured out my next steps.
There might be something worth considering. It doesn't mention anything about am3, but I believe am3 and am4 share the same mounting setup; someone else should verify that. When using that cooler, you might need to position the front fan on the back side to avoid damaging the RAM modules. Alternatively, you could explore an aio option since some are quite affordable too.
According to the link above, the maximum speed of this fan is 2,200RPM. The only easy way I know to make a 12V 2,200RPM fan run at 3,000RPM is to feed it with roughly 18V, but that seems unlikely because magic smoke might appear. Perhaps the manufacturer changed fan spec after you bought your cooler for something slower and quieter. The FX-8320 has a TDP rating of 125W, exactly the same as my old Phenom II X4 965. These CPUs need a seriously big cooler to keep them under control and your cooler is far too small. I wouldn't use it on anything more powerful than a 65W CPU. Your 125W FX-8320 will overwhelm a small cooler when the CPU is running really hard. It isn't rated for 125W CPUs. No wonder the poor little fan is running at high speed just trying to cope. It's not surprising your CPU is running cool when it's not being tasked heavily and the fan is running flat out at 3,000RPM. If the fan was working properly under BIOS control, I'd expect it to be idling around 1,00RPM, not 3,000RPM. You need to be careful when buying an AM3+ cooler. Many modern coolers use 4-hole mounting and the spacing of holes on AM3 (96 x 48mm) is not the same as AM4 (90 x 54.18mm). If the hardware brackets on a new cooler do not support AM3+, you won't be able to fit it unless it uses the existing bracket. https://forums. Your current cooler clamps over two lugs on the plastic bracket surrounding the AM3+ socket. There are loads of cheap and nasty AM3/AM3+ compatible coolers on Amazon, but I'd steer clear of most of them. Most of my old AM3 coolers are Noctua, but they're very expensive compared with many other manufacturers' products. When looking at my favourite cheap Thermaltake coolers like the Peerless Assassin 120SE and low profile SI-100, I cannot see any mention of AM3+ mounting compatibility. I'd go with @LordVile 's suggestion of a Cooler Master EVO 212 which supports AM3+, unless someone can recommend a dual tower twin fan AM3+ cooler. https://www.coolermaster.com/en-global/p...r-212-evo/ There's no mention of AM3+ support on that Thermaltake AIO. Take care. TLDR: Check for socket AM3+ compatibility to support your FX-8320 before buying a new cooler.
It has a 125W TDP yet draws 200 at maximum load, which is expected in any game. The older Phenoms still worked well, while the FX line didn’t.