Zalman CNPS9700NT fan sometimes hits fins?

[FragTek]

Hey yall, I have an interesting problem. I've been reading online about this cooler that I bought and some people are having similar problems, and some much more severe than mine.

However sometimes and very infrequently the fan blades will hit the cooling fins on the heatsink and make an awful noise, sometimes it lasts longer than other times as well. Is there a good/easy fix for this, or will over time the fan blade get munched down so that it stops happening?

It's really not all that bothersome because like I said it happens very infrequently but when it does happen, it's pretty nasty sounding. Kinda disappointing when you drop $70 on a HSF, it should work right out of the box without any problems like this.

Is there a good way to bend the fins just a bit so that it doesn't hit? I think I know which fins it is that the fan is touching when it happens because I've watched it while it happens and seen the fins move.

 

[JN]

Are you able to remove the fan and put some thick grease around the motor? It might stop it from wobbling?

 

[FragTek]

Are you able to remove the fan and put some thick grease around the motor? It might stop it from wobbling?

Not sure on that one mate, I'll have to inspect it when I get home. I have a feeling you can't remove it though.

What about taking an exacto to the edge of the fan blades and cutting off about 1mm? That ought to work and would be easy enough mefinks.

 

[Rastalovich]

Similar to XMS, my first question is if the fan can be taken out ?

2ndly I was gonna suggest, obviously u gotta be careful with this as to not make a pig`s ear out of it, apply the blades one at a time to something warm/hot - not enough to burn the ends of the panels, but maybe just to take a mm off them. Infact u could just shave them.

If they do wobble tho, I`d go with XMS first.

 

[FragTek]

Nice one Rast, that's kind what I was thinking, but with an exacto to take off that 1mm

 

[Rastalovich]

In the same boat as u tho, I`d be a bit upset having to do this to a $70 piece of kit.

 

[Nagaru]

I would recommend filing the fins if possible because messing with the blades may put the fan out of balance and cause ever more problems.

 

[Rastalovich]

That`s very true aswell, it could be something to do with the balance that makes them wobble anyways. People have been known to add stickers to fan blades to counter that.

 

[FragTek]

At this point I'm just considering leaving it alone and waiting for the blades to just ground themselves down over time.

 

[llwyd]

Why not take the cooler out and fold some fine sandpaper over the fins that are getting hit and leaving it run for a few hrs on its own?

 

[FragTek]

Why not take the cooler out and fold some fine sandpaper over the fins that are getting hit and leaving it run for a few hrs on its own?

That's actually a damn fine idea mate I might work on that this weekend, or during my week off

 

[ai_01]

ur gonna need some bandaids =P

 

[FarFarAway]

I've heard others complaining about this. Usual solution is to either bend or sand the fins down

Don't buy Zalman tbh

 

[FragTek]

I've heard others complaining about this. Usual solution is to either bend or sand the fins down

Don't buy Zalman tbh

It really is a good quality made cooler though, I'm happy with the purchase.

 

[mrapoc]

I got that problem with my zalman! Scared the shoosh outta me! All I did was push the fan outwards towards the end that was more room for the fan to move so it was slightly in a better position and its fixed, although sometimes when im messing around in there it will come outta place again.

Always check thats the fan blades arent in contact with the heat dispersers

 

[NickS]

I've heard others complaining about this. Usual solution is to either bend or sand the fins down

Don't buy Zalman tbh

Agreed Tuniq Towers are just as quiet and probably cheaper, and are a few ºC cooler.

It really is a good quality made cooler though, I'm happy with the purchase.

Oh yes, just dripping in quality. *O sht, whats that noise!! AHH!! MY FINS..*

 

[mrapoc]

ahhh but when they work, they look smart Also have a handy dust catching feature