Rattling noise in desktop case?

[Emperor Shaftius Maximus]

Just noticed this rattling noise in my desktop last week and I can't seem to pinpoint what is causing it. It has never happened before. Could be my cpu fan is broken but I'm not sure. It's an Arctic Freezer 7 cooler. It seems to start after my computer has been on for 6-20 mins and stops after its heated up to al least 39-40c.

[Azza ☠]

That's not using liquid cooling right?

First, ensure cables aren't up against any fans.

Then open the case and run it, checking each. Carefully unplug the fan, see if the noise stop. Replug in and then check the next.

Also, make sure your fan blades aren't too hard up against heatsinks, as the edge of the blades might be rubbing.

The other issue might be from the fan ball bearings. In which case, you have to open and replace them inside the fan itself and lube up or simply get the fan replaced completely.

[_I_]

make sure wires are not running near fans

how old is the build?
fans can rattle/vibrate if the bearings/bushing are going bad
you can stop fans with your finger (for a short time) to see which ones are making noise

could also be the hdd if its going bad

[Falro the Great]

I have a CM Hyper EVO that at one point was visibly shaking and making quite a racket - turns out one of the fans had a broken fin. Took it off and all was good!

[superjunk]

A good cheap solution for a broken fin is to superglue it back on. Superglue will form a very strong bond with the types of plastic commonly used in fans. I replaced a fin on a GTX 690 using superglue, and it held perfectly for 3 weeks until I got a new chassis for it.

[_I_]

contact coolermaster, they have a good warranty
they will probably send a replacement fan

{LINK REMOVED}https://account.coolermaster.com/LogOn.aspx

[Bad 💀 Motha]

^This

The warranty of the Hyper EVO as a whole includes the Fan(s)
Now if it was a 3rd party fan; then u'd have to deal with them; CM then I know for fact they would cover any parts under warranty aside from accidental or abuse.

[Falro the Great]

Originally posted by _I_:

contact coolermaster, they have a good warranty
they will probably send a replacement fan

{LINK REMOVED}https://account.coolermaster.com/LogOn.aspx

Nah, it was a cheap 3rd-party fan that I had put on myself.

Thanks for the responses, but I really didn't need any help with it, haha! It was just an anecdote in relation to the OP.

[Emperor Shaftius Maximus]

Originally posted by _I_:

make sure wires are not running near fans

how old is the build?
fans can rattle/vibrate if the bearings/bushing are going bad
you can stop fans with your finger (for a short time) to see which ones are making noise

could also be the hdd if its going bad

Its an old computer with newer parts. The only old parts on the system are the case, dvd drive, mobo and cpu.

Re-positioned my cables and the computer is still making that rattling noise. Fans seem un-damaged. I put my hand on the center of the case and felt heavy vibrations.

[rotNdude]

Open the side panel on the case and listen to find where the rattling is coming from. My crystal ball is rather foggy today.,

[Azza ☠]

You might find the CPU Cooler fan is actually vibrating down to the motherboard, which in turn rattles components against the metal PC Case. A loose screw hanging around the motherboard/case, or if it's not on rubber feet, can cause it to rattle the case or motherboard itself or even the case shaking the desk/platform it's upon.

With the computer turned off, remove the front and back panels of the case and gently rotate it around to each side with a very slight shake. Anything unsecure might drop out or move - such as a screw.

Most CPU Coolers themselves have anti-virbration bars / springs. Make sure they are fitted and working correctly if so. Any vibration absorption rubbers, make sure they are fitted and not squished (if screws are too tight, loosen them a little so the rubber can flex correctly, they should be securely in place but not squishing down flat).

Hard drives might also be secured with rubber washers.

Ensure when running, the PC case is on a flat surface with it's (rubber) feet.

[Emperor Shaftius Maximus]

Just replaced the entire heatsink with another. I used new AS5 thermal paste and made sure everything was tight. Sound seem to have stopped and fans are not so loud. I don't know why the other heatsink broke. It seemed fine.

[Emperor Shaftius Maximus]

Also my first time using the 1/2 pea method instead of the credit card spread method. I've been stuck at 34C for more then 30 mins where I would be at 40C-45C. The spread job I did was really bad. Only used a little more then half a pea when I did it.