This Case fan is vibrating like crazy or is something more?

Not_enough_space · Jan 9, 2015

Hello to all.

I've installed one Arctic Cooling F12 in the upper zone of the case (exhaust). When the system is cold, the fan make some sort of loud vibrating noise for 1 minute, but if the system is working for a long time and you power on the system again, the noise only last 1 or 2 seconds.

Since this case fan doesn't have sleeve bearings and it seems that is based on fluid bearings, I don't think that putting it horizontally is the problem; if you push slightly the upper part of the case, then the sound disappears or the noise drop to a more bearable level.

So, I think that this is a vibration problem, but I don't know if this case fan can't spin correctly in a horizontal position since when the system is already on for some hours, it vibrates for around 2 seconds in the start, but it vibrates for 1 minute if the system is cold and you are powering on for the first time the next day.

Regards.

volcanoscout · Jan 9, 2015

Are you positive it's that fan causing the vibration? Sometimes a vibration in one component (like a hard drive) can cause a buzzing noise somewhere else (like a side panel or air intake filter). Not saying this is the cause for your vibration issue, but whenever I've run into a vibration noise issue it's almost always a vibrating HDD that's making something else buzz.

How is the fan mounted? Does it have rubber grommets and/or rubber mounts to decouple it from the case chassis?

Not_enough_space · Jan 9, 2015

volcanoscout :

Hello, thanks for the response.

I think that is the upper fan because if you push the top of the case with the finger, the noise dissapear; also, if you put the ear near the fan, you can hear that the fan is producing the vibrating noise.

The fan is mounted in a horizontal manner, only with metal screws. I know that if I not use rubber screws, I might have vibration problems, but I wonder why if I don't power on the system in some hours the noise lasts 1 minute, and if not, 1 or 2 seconds. (the latter applies if you e.g, you turn off the system and after that you power on the system 20 seconds later).

Note: The fan is new, it only have a fews hours of use.

volcanoscout · Jan 9, 2015

Do you have the PWM model or 3-pin voltage control model? Is it plugged into a PWM or voltage control fan header?

Before you do anything else, try dismounting the fan but leave it plugged in. When you power up the system, is there still a vibration noise and, if so, is it coming from the fan itself or from somewhere in/on the case?

If the fan itself is not mechanically faulty (a possibility), you can try to isolate the fan with rubber fan mount "screws", rubber washers and/or a rubber gasket. This puts a layer of damping material between the fan frame and the case chassis. If you still get the vibration, it might be caused by airflow through that fan grill or the vibrations may be coming from somewhere else entirely.

The fact that there's a duration differential based on length of system use makes me think that, if the fan itself is not faulty, the source of the vibrations may be a hard drive or more likely your PSU, both of which can behave differently based on temperature variations. The fact that the noise stops when you press on the top would tend to point the finger of blame at a top-mounted fan, but doesn't actually eliminate sources in other locations in the case. A good analogy would be vibrations felt through floorboards and steering wheel of a car - it could be from a loosely mounted floor pan or steering column... or it could be caused by a wheel that's out of balance.

Not_enough_space · Jan 9, 2015

volcanoscout :

Do you have the PWM model or 3-pin voltage control model? Is it plugged into a PWM or voltage control fan header?

Before you do anything else, try dismounting the fan but leave it plugged in. When you power up the system, is there still a vibration noise and, if so, is it coming from the fan itself or from somewhere in/on the case?

If the fan itself is not mechanically faulty (a possibility), you can try to isolate the fan with rubber fan mount "screws", rubber washers and/or a rubber gasket. This puts a layer of damping material between the fan frame and the case chassis. If you still get the vibration, it might be caused by airflow through that fan grill or the vibrations may be coming from somewhere else entirely.

The fact that there's a duration differential based on length of system use makes me think that, if the fan itself is not faulty, the source of the vibrations may be a hard drive or more likely your PSU, both of which can behave differently based on temperature variations. The fact that the noise stops when you press on the top would tend to point the finger of blame at a top-mounted fan, but doesn't actually eliminate sources in other locations in the case. A good analogy would be vibrations felt through floorboards and steering wheel of a car - it could be from a loosely mounted floor pan or steering column... or it could be caused by a wheel that's out of balance.

It's the normal model, isn't the PWM one, and is powered by a 12V molex (using a 3 pin to molex converter). I'll do what you say, disconnect it, because if I want to remove the fan from the case, then first I need to take the motheboard, since the processor cooler is in the way.

I'll be back in a while.

Not_enough_space · Jan 9, 2015

volcanoscout :

Do you have the PWM model or 3-pin voltage control model? Is it plugged into a PWM or voltage control fan header?

Before you do anything else, try dismounting the fan but leave it plugged in. When you power up the system, is there still a vibration noise and, if so, is it coming from the fan itself or from somewhere in/on the case?

If the fan itself is not mechanically faulty (a possibility), you can try to isolate the fan with rubber fan mount "screws", rubber washers and/or a rubber gasket. This puts a layer of damping material between the fan frame and the case chassis. If you still get the vibration, it might be caused by airflow through that fan grill or the vibrations may be coming from somewhere else entirely.

The fact that there's a duration differential based on length of system use makes me think that, if the fan itself is not faulty, the source of the vibrations may be a hard drive or more likely your PSU, both of which can behave differently based on temperature variations. The fact that the noise stops when you press on the top would tend to point the finger of blame at a top-mounted fan, but doesn't actually eliminate sources in other locations in the case. A good analogy would be vibrations felt through floorboards and steering wheel of a car - it could be from a loosely mounted floor pan or steering column... or it could be caused by a wheel that's out of balance.

I'm here again.

Definitely is the top fan. At this point, what do you suggest to put between the case and the fan?.

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This Case fan is vibrating like crazy or is something more?

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