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    Safe to Run with Broken Fan?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Czechflyer, Aug 10, 2020.

  1. Czechflyer

    Czechflyer Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have a Gigabyte P57 that is just past it's 2 yr warranty period. The GPU fan has a blown bearing and is making too much noise even at minimal RPM's. A replacement fan is either going to cost me in time to arrive from China or $$'s from a US source. The CPU side fan (shared heatsink) is still working normally. CPU is an I7-6700HQ and GPU GTX 1060.

    Is it safe to run with the GPU fan off (unplugged) for a bit as long as I am only doing web/email/doc work and avoiding gaming? I would like to avoid the added expense of the quick replacement if I can but not at the risk of further problems.

    And on a related note, should I just replace both fans while I'm at it or is that not a good bang for buck move?
     
    Czechflyer, Aug 10, 2020
    #1
  2. senso

    senso Notebook Deity

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    If one fan failed, the other can also fail, if you are paying postage, buy both.
    Lift the rear of the laptop so it has a bit more airflow, and keep an eye on temps, it wont hurt the laptop if you dont play on it.
     
    senso, Aug 10, 2020
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  3. Reciever

    Reciever D! For Dragon!

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    A band aid solution would also be to buy one of those vacuum coolers that are popular on amazon. Opolar I think their called
     
    Reciever, Aug 10, 2020
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  4. Khenglish

    Khenglish Notebook Deity

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    These fans don't have bearings. Noise can be caused by a damaged wire or poor greasing. Most fans can be taken apart to regrease (anything that isn't Dell). Very little grease is required. Too much slows the fan down.

    Don't bother replacing the other if it is fine. Almost all listings are for used fans anyway, so you're just trading something used that works for something else that is used that works.
     
    Khenglish, Aug 10, 2020
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  5. Czechflyer

    Czechflyer Notebook Enthusiast

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    Didn't know the fan doesn't have bearings, thanks. Seems the CPU side fans are very hard to come by anyway, search is coming up empty, so will just watch my temps and wait for the GPU fan. Thanks to all who replied.
     
    Czechflyer, Aug 10, 2020
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  6. pete962

    pete962 Notebook Evangelist

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    Technically all fans have bearings, less expensive ones have sleeve bearings, but you could probably buy proper ball bearing fan for your laptop if you look around. Personally I would take the fan apart and see why is making noise: could be just need some grease, in other words easy fix.
     
    pete962, Aug 12, 2020
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  7. jotm

    jotm Notebook Evangelist

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    It's fine, but keep an eye on the temperatures.

    Or just disable the nVidia card and run on integrated graphics.
     
    jotm, Aug 20, 2020
    #7