NB Fan Failed...

[The_Tecknishen]

I have an Abit IS7 motherboard and the fan on the northbridge sucks ass. I've had this computer since Jan 1 of this year and already Ive been through 2 of abits fans. The 2nd one is on its way out as I type this and its making all kinds of strange noises and it was completely stopped a minute ago for who knows how long. It started again when I poked it with my finger.

Anyway, what I want to know is if anyone has any reccomendations for a new heatsink for my NB with a fan on it. The one that came on the board had a fan so I assume it must need it. Plus, it has the stupid hooks to attach it to the mobo and so far I've found only the Swiftech MCX159-P http://www.coolerguys.com/840556037132.html that has hooks. It seems too good for what I need it for and too expensive. I'm not overclocking at all so I'm also wondering if I can get away with not having a fan at all on there and just a plain old heatsink. Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[MaMMa]

most nb fans out there that are aftermarket are pretty damn loud. if you don't like that that then find an old old amd heatsink fan and rig it on there, its a lot better and does good job cooling, thats what i did

 

[rtierney]

Thermalright makes a good NB heatsink and fan in both copper and aluminum.

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/memandvidcar.html

They're the first two listed. The NB-1 and the NB-1C
The fan that comes with them is only 34dB and it a pretty good sized heatsink for a north bridge. Should cool just fine.

I'm getting the copper version as soon as it comes back into stock at NewEgg.

 

[Mankind121]

i just unplugged my fine, it seems to be working pretty good without it on, no problems

 

[diredesire]

you really probably can get away with that fan totally off
If you use the thermalright NB1, i used a zalman fanmate to turn the noise down all the way. It was easily the loudest fan in my case (using 5v adda fans and a 120mm on my rad)

 

[MaMMa]

Thermalright makes a good NB heatsink and fan in both copper and aluminum.

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/memandvidcar.html

They're the first two listed. The NB-1 and the NB-1C
The fan that comes with them is only 34dB and it a pretty good sized heatsink for a north bridge. Should cool just fine.

I'm getting the copper version as soon as it comes back into stock at NewEgg.

only 34dba? your insane my friend

 

[rtierney]

only 34dba? your insane my friend

34dB is nothing compared to what my current fans put out
it may become a problem when i get my watercooler in there tonight.
no more loud jet engine noises coming from cpu fan.
i may have to invest in a rheostat.

 

[diredesire]

I was surprised at how loud it was... I think the 34 DBa rating is a bit misleading. The pitch of the fan is high, and high pitched whines bother me more than low ones do...

 

[rtierney]

I was surprised at how loud it was... I think the 34 DBa rating is a bit misleading. The pitch of the fan is high, and high pitched whines bother me more than low ones do...

the 34dB on the NB-1 45mm delta fan?

 

[Bloefield]

I put a Zalman NB32J passive NB heatsink on my IC7 after 2 Abit NB fan failures and temps are fine and it's quiter and I don't have to worry about it again.

http://www.zalmanusa.com/usa/product/view.asp?idx=65&code=014

 

[The_Tecknishen]

Alright, I think I'll give having no fan a shot. Fall is just about here so it'll be cooler out so I'll leave it the way it is for now until at least next summer. When it starts getting warm out again we'll see if it fares as well.

 

[AH786]

abit nb fans suck ass. original 1 started making grinding noises, at 100% was awful. got a replacement, that stopped working. now im back on the original. with it set at 40%.

 

[v3rt1g0]

The Zalman passive NB coolers are great, and super cheap. Highly recommended.

 

[Bloefield]

I've got to say I was a little nervous going with just the passive Zalman heatsink but after 4-5 days of Call Of Duty UO, MotoGP2, Vietcong, MaxPayne2 etc I'm glad I did it.
My temps are the same as they were with the Abit hs-fan or better.
I only overclock the 2.8 to 3.1 usually so maybe this solution is just right for me.
If I was going to go for a big o/c I would get a Zalman cpu hsf and MAYBE a nb hs with a fan but right now this is just fine.
Mankind121 said

i just unplugged my fine, it seems to be working pretty good without it on, no problems

Some guys over at the Abit forum say they're just disconnecting the Abit fan when it dies and run with just the blue/orbish heatsink left there no problems too.