Graphics Card fan

  • Thread starter Thread starter Char Lee Kay
  • Start date Start date
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Char Lee Kay

I have an nVidia GeForce 4 mx440 card which has a dead fan.

I also have a nVidia GeForce 2 mx440 card which works fine.

The fans on each are the same size, but look different.

The GF2 fan is a simple black plastic fan whereas the GF4 fan is a
"more professional" looking red fan with the GeForce logo imprinted on
it.

Does anyone know if it would be safe to use the plastic fan from the
GF2 card on the GF4 card?

Thanks
 
Char said:
I have an nVidia GeForce 4 mx440 card which has a dead fan.

I also have a nVidia GeForce 2 mx440 card which works fine.

The fans on each are the same size, but look different.

The GF2 fan is a simple black plastic fan whereas the GF4 fan is a
"more professional" looking red fan with the GeForce logo imprinted on
it.

Does anyone know if it would be safe to use the plastic fan from the
GF2 card on the GF4 card?

Thanks
Click to expand...

If the mounting holes for the heat sink/fan are the same location it
should be okay. I have made some wild modifications to Chaintech
GeForce 5600 heat sinks to make replacement fans fit. You will need
heat sink compound also. How did you determine the fan is bad? Does
it spin freely by hand. Have you applied 12 (?) volts to it if
possible?
 
If the mounting holes for the heat sink/fan are the same location it
should be okay. I have made some wild modifications to Chaintech
GeForce 5600 heat sinks to make replacement fans fit.
Click to expand...

Thanks for responding. In fact the mounting holes are different so I
guess I will have to try to get a compatible replacement. Not keen on
making mods.

How did you determine the fan is bad? Does
it spin freely by hand.
Click to expand...

No, it doesn't spin freely. Its not quite locked, but very stiff and
was not spinning when in the machine.

I'll have a go at applying 12 volts, but not very optimistic.

Thanks for the advice.
 
Char said:
Thanks for responding. In fact the mounting holes are different so I
guess I will have to try to get a compatible replacement. Not keen on
making mods.

How did you determine the fan is bad? Does

No, it doesn't spin freely. Its not quite locked, but very stiff and
was not spinning when in the machine.

I'll have a go at applying 12 volts, but not very optimistic.

Thanks for the advice.
Click to expand...

I'm not positive it is 12 volts, start with 5. I know the CPU fan is
12 volts.
 
I would first try to get an original, by calling the manufacture's tech
support. If they will not supply one, then you can try some of the major
electronic parts suppliers. There are many types of fan configurations
available. I am sure you will find one that can fit.

If their fan is an odd type of mounting, and the manufacture will not sell
you one, then you will have to custom make some type of bracket to hold the
new one in place.

--

JANA
_____


I have an nVidia GeForce 4 mx440 card which has a dead fan.

I also have a nVidia GeForce 2 mx440 card which works fine.

The fans on each are the same size, but look different.

The GF2 fan is a simple black plastic fan whereas the GF4 fan is a
"more professional" looking red fan with the GeForce logo imprinted on
it.

Does anyone know if it would be safe to use the plastic fan from the
GF2 card on the GF4 card?

Thanks
 
Thanks for responding. In fact the mounting holes are different so I
guess I will have to try to get a compatible replacement. Not keen on
making mods.

How did you determine the fan is bad? Does

No, it doesn't spin freely. Its not quite locked, but very stiff and
was not spinning when in the machine.

I'll have a go at applying 12 volts, but not very optimistic.

Thanks for the advice.
Click to expand...

Before applying power, take fan itself off, peel back the
rear sticker and put a drop of thick oil in it. That's what
it needed before it had degraded enough to stop spinning and
should get it spinning again if you gently rotate the blades
after adding the oil. Since the fan has worn a lot, the oil
may only be a temporary solution, it'll probably fail again
if not relubed regularly... or could be too far gone aready
if the hub wobbles too much and the blades contact the fan
housing.

It most likely is a 12V fan but some cards have a simple
control on them to reduce the voltage some, so while you
probably need a 12V fan, it's probably not as helpful to
test it with an alternate power source as to relube it and
just plug it back into the video card.

Since the original fans are harder to find, and
poor/short-lived, you might want a different fan regardless
of whether you could find an exact replacement. If there is
available space under the card (ie- your next PCI slot is
empty) you might seek a thicker fan which will tend to last
longer, one having same diameter so you'd simply need longer
screws to mount in same (metal portion of the) heatsink.
 
On Fri, 15 Apr 2005 12:08:58 +1000, Char Lee Kay

Before applying power, take fan itself off, peel back the
rear sticker and put a drop of thick oil in it. That's what
it needed before it had degraded enough to stop spinning and
should get it spinning again if you gently rotate the blades
after adding the oil. Since the fan has worn a lot, the oil
may only be a temporary solution, it'll probably fail again
if not relubed regularly... or could be too far gone aready
if the hub wobbles too much and the blades contact the fan
housing.
Click to expand...
I'll give that a go, but as you say, probably not a permanent
solution. The blades actualkly feel as if they are being restricted
in movement so there may be some warping or other damage.
Since the original fans are harder to find, and
poor/short-lived, you might want a different fan regardless
of whether you could find an exact replacement. If there is
available space under the card (ie- your next PCI slot is
empty) you might seek a thicker fan which will tend to last
longer, one having same diameter so you'd simply need longer
screws to mount in same (metal portion of the) heatsink.
Click to expand...

Thats a great idea. Was concened that it might be hard to find a fan
with matching mounting holes which are offset, however installing just
the fan blades and cover in the existing heat sink which has the
normal 4 corner holes might be the answer.

Thanks
 
Char Lee Kay said:
Thanks for responding. In fact the mounting holes are different so I
guess I will have to try to get a compatible replacement. Not keen on
making mods.
Click to expand...

FWIW, pretty much any fan of similar size can be used successfully to blow
across the video card heat sink. An expedient fix can be made with wire
ties and a fan; it might look odd, but it will be every bit as functional as
one that looks nicer.

Jon
 
FWIW, pretty much any fan of similar size can be used successfully to blow
across the video card heat sink. An expedient fix can be made with wire
ties and a fan; it might look odd, but it will be every bit as functional as
one that looks nicer.

Jon
Click to expand...

Agreed.

One less-seldom mentioned option for the cards that aren't
flipchips is to simply epoxy the heatsink directly to the
GPU. When doing that it's a VERY good idea to use a
standard-sized heatsink so that in the event the fan fails,
there is no question of whether a replacement could be
found.

However, if one uses something like a small socket 7
heatsink / fan and an adapter to run the fan at 5V, if the
fan is of decent quality it will last a very, very long time
in additon to being very quiet. Downside is of course that
it will block at least one, maybe two PCI slots. First slot
is a gimme though, I'd always advise someone to leave that
first PCI slot empty if at all possible to further aid in
video card cooling.
 
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