Dell Fan Noise problem

December 20, 2005 12:21 PM

My computer is driving me crazy... and others around me I'd imagine. I work in a cubefarm...

...where all the machines are vaguely similar. Mine is a Dell Optiplex GX280, Pentium 4 2.8, 512mgs ram, 80 gb hdd. So this isn't really top of the line, but no dinosaur either. I was installing various developer tools when I noticed the problem.

Whenever my cpu usage gets near or at 100% the fan noise increases and gets progressivley louder the longer it stays like that. Which is a problem when it begins to sound like a helicopter taking off under my desk.

I've even noticed that it will get louder when I load webpages and everyday applications. I think I tracked the problem down to what Dell calls "Hypercool" technology? But I can't find anyway to adjust the settings or do anything for that matter.

Any suggestions? I usally wear headphones anyway, but it's a little embarrassing to be the guy with that crazy computer.

posted by Mark5four0 to computers & internet (5 comments total)

Some info.
posted by ori at 12:24 PM on December 20, 2005

I had exactly this problem with my GX280. You need a new heatsink.
posted by mr_roboto at 12:40 PM on December 20, 2005

Aye, dust and general age is not your friend. Get your IT monkeys to clean that sucker out, possibly replace the fan and the heatsink.
posted by thanotopsis at 12:44 PM on December 20, 2005

The internal design of those Dells tends to amplify the vibration noise of the fan when it gets out of balance (or as the bearings wear). They aren't all that difficult or expensive to replace.
posted by BrandonAbell at 1:52 PM on December 20, 2005

I had this problem and I installed Folding@Home so that the fan would always be on full. I'd already had my rattling fan replaced by a less-noisy one. Maybe I should have asked for a new heatsink too.

The GX280 is a very crappy machine.
posted by breath at 5:02 PM on December 20, 2005