Will the processor fry if I use a heatsink without a fan?

Agash · Oct 15, 2015

Hi, you may think, "Why would you do that?". Well, the reason being is that my CPU fan started to run at 100% speed constantly for no reason. It happened after a game crashed. Tried everything, resetting BIOS, updated it and let my PC cool down for 2 hours. Now I tried it without the CPU fan itself. Right now, it's sitting at it's usual temp, 50 degrees Celsius on average at idle and 65 degrees Celsius at load, playing that same game without crashing!!!! So I think I solved my problem but the question is.......is it okay to use just the heatsink with the rear case fan blowing into it without the CPU fan on it? I'm using a Cooler Master Evo 212+ with a Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 @ stock. The reason why I took the fan out was mostly because it was LOUD!!!! Now it's really quiet, even when playing games, it's flawless!!!

TechyInAZ · Oct 15, 2015

WHAT!!??

Um, no CPU will fry, the built in shut down protection will make sure of that.

Still though, DO NOT use no fan!! Run a stress test and I can 95% guarantee you that it will go to 100C.

Dark Lord of Tech · Oct 15, 2015

It still helps to cool but will run hotter , there are fanless heatsinks.

Agash · Oct 15, 2015

I will try Prime95, let's see....

Dark Lord of Tech · Oct 15, 2015

You can buy a fan that is less noisy , the stock 212 fans are loud.

Agash · Oct 15, 2015

Let me try Prime95 first to see if this would actually work, but I'm guessing your idea of buying a new fan would work too!!!

USAFRet · Oct 15, 2015

There are fanless coolers, but a 212 EVO with the fan removed is not one of them.

Dark Lord of Tech · Oct 15, 2015

The DEEPCOOL Lucifer V2 runs sweet without a fan , but I agree the stock 212 fans are very loud , they buzz.

Dark Lord of Tech · Oct 15, 2015

I wouldn't prime it without a fan.

Agash · Oct 15, 2015

I'm currently running it with Prime, if it reaches 90 degrees or 85 most likely, I will shut it down, right now it's at 80 degrees celsius. But the problem is that the CPU fan is constantly running at 100%?

Dark Lord of Tech · Oct 15, 2015

Be careful , bad things can still happen.

Agash · Oct 15, 2015

But, do you know why my CPU fan is always running at 100% or is that simply the CPU fan's fault?

USAFRet · Oct 15, 2015

Agash :

What CPU?
My 3570k, 100% on Prime95, with a 212 PLUS cooler...is damn near silent. And never broke 72C.

Agash · Oct 15, 2015

Intel core 2 Quad Q9550, been running for 7 years, not 24/7, just normal run times.

Dark Lord of Tech · Oct 15, 2015

The new champ is the CRYORIG H7.

Agash · Oct 15, 2015

I don't think that's in Canada

Sergeant_Sneaky · Oct 15, 2015

I wouldn't say they were noisy, especially compared to a stock cooler.

Dark Lord of Tech · Oct 15, 2015

212 fans are horrible , I owned 2 of the heatsink and replaced them right away , they do get loud.

Sergeant_Sneaky · Oct 15, 2015

I guess that depends on your definition of loud, but when gaming my PC is completely silent, all I can hear is my HDD occasionally. Under Prime95/Video rendering I can hear the fans ramp up but it doesn't bother me in the slightest.

Agash · Oct 15, 2015

So far, Prime95 only ran up to 84 degrees celsius but on average 81 degrees. So I don't know, also it's really quiet!!!!

Dark Lord of Tech · Oct 15, 2015

Like I said it will still cool somewhat but needs a fan.

Agash · Oct 15, 2015

Yup, I put the fan back in, it was much better at handling Prime95, I put it in when Prime95 was running (I know, stupid) but the temps fell all the way down to 70 degrees Celsius. The fan is still running 100% after stopping the test, I submitted a ticket to Cooler Master, but for now, I'm thinking about getting a new cooler, the one you suggested.

Dark Lord of Tech · Oct 15, 2015

If you can find the H7 it's a great cooler.

Agash · Oct 15, 2015

Thanks for all the help guys, appreciate it!!!

Sergeant_Sneaky · Oct 15, 2015

Have you checked to make sure you're plugging it into the CPU fan header and not a different one? Also check if the fan is set to "Full speed" in the BIOS.

Will the processor fry if I use a heatsink without a fan?

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