Chipset fan struggling (updated)

[Emultra]

Edit: read bottom post.


(After having tried some stuff to make an old HD work, I used the computer for a while with the chassi opened. I thought, might as well put the side plate back. I did and for some reason the chipset fan cord disconnected, though I didn't know that at the time. The computer eventually froze and I tried rebooting it. Then I looked in the case and saw that the chipset fan wasn't running.

I plugged it back in but ever since it spins at around 0.5 RPM with a grinding noise unless I repeatedly tap it with a pen, which causes it to spin rapidly for about 0.2 seconds every tap. At first without doing that, the computer wouldn't boot properly and it asked me for a boot disk. I thought the chipset had been fried (the fan was hot) but when tapping it and booting the computer, I got to the desktop and turned the computer off via the start menu.

So hopefully I can fix this by getting a new chipset cooler. I'm thinking about the Zalman ZM-NB47J passive cooler. The question is, does it fit on an Asus A8N SLi Deluxe with an Asus GeForce 7600GT video card installed?

Picture of the cooler: http://www.dustinhome.se/Displ...age.aspx?ImageID=89759

Also, will I need separate cooling paste for this?)

 

[AncientPC]

I have the same cooler on multiple motherboards and it works fine. The only question is if your video card sticks past the PCI-e / AGP slot over the north bridge chipset or not. Since the heatsink is rather tall, if your video card blocks above the chipset then you won't be able to use it.

 

[Emultra]

I'm not at home right now (which is why I can post but my hunch is that it doesn't block it. It's pretty close I think, but from what I can remember the video card doesn't actually protrude "above" the chipset, I guess it's more a matter of how broad than how tall the Zalman is.

So I don't need any cooling paste? If I do, does it come with the cooler (the online store in Sweden that sells it doesn't say) or do I need to order that as well?

Oh and can it be put into place correctly without removing the mobo?

 

[AncientPC]

It comes with cooling paste (you can tell from the pics). I used some Artic Silver I had lying around anyway, but any thermal paste will work.

From what I remember, you will need to remove your motherboard to mount a bracket on the other side. Even if I remember incorrectly and there is no rear mount bracket, you will still need to pinch those plastic screws from the back side to remove them as well. That's why replacing the chipset fan was always such a PITA and I hated doing it.

 

[Emultra]

Heh, I don't trust the picture. I want a big, fat "cooling paste included" text.

I'm a bit surprised that the chipset seems to have survived running without cooling for a good number of minutes, to the point that the comp totally froze, and some reboots after that with the message that I need a boot disk.

Why does it suddenly work with cooling (me tapping the fan with a pen)? Is its functionality directly tied to its conductivity, which I presume is lower at higher temperatures? Or does it shut down automatically at high temps?

Speaking of automatic shutdown, is there any way of having the computer shut down instantly if any cords inside it (especially for fans) are disconnected?

 

[AncientPC]

I actually have one lying around (specifically the Zalman ZM-NB47J) and uploaded a pic of the instructions from the back:
http://img380.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img3639ux4.jpg

My guess is that the chipset has an auto-shut off temp which is protecting it from permanent heat damage.

I've never seen any disconnect shutdown, but some mobos can be forced to shutdown based on temps (CPU, chipset, or system) or fan rpm (minimum rpm required). I guess the fan rpm shutdown is practically the same thing as a fan disconnect shutdown.

 

[Emultra]

Thanks for the help. It'll cost me about $14 with shipping included so I'm glad I didn't have to get a new mobo altogether.

 

[Emultra]

Ok, I checked the video card. It extends partially above the chipset, but it's above as in "closer to the chassi ceiling", not above as in covering the chipset when seen from the side. Did you mean the latter?

If not, I can't really tell how broad the Zalman cooler is compared to the regular fan + heatsink. There's a few millimeters (maybe 1/8 inch) gap between the current heatsink and the part where the video card extends above the chipset.

 

[AncientPC]

I meant the latter.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Just get a heat sink and use some artic silver thermal adhesive, it wont come off

 

[Emultra]

Finally got the Zalman today. I took out the motherboard and removed the old cooler (had to decapitate the clips).

The chipset has good amount of thermal paste on it and while some of it is white and appears easily removable, a section of it is gray and looks burnt. What should I use to scrape it off? I have some 95% denatured ethanol, does that work?

Also, the paste seems to be on a thin cover/carpet, a cover that has a bump/hill that reveals the more solid green plate beneath. Should I remove this cover and put the Zalman paste there? It seems glued on, though, not sure.

Edit: found a quote regarding the above from the Newegg user reviews: "great replacement for asus a8n sli... also peal off thermal pad... its old off of mobo."

Do I put the Zalman paste over the entire area or just the "core"?

 

[Old Hippie]

Mine had a green pad with a hole in it for the chip. The green pad surrounded the bare chip to make an even surface, so when you mounted the cooler, you didn't smash the chip.

Thermal material only needs to be applied to the chip.

 

[Emultra]

Ah right, that should make sense. Wonder what that reviewer was talking about then? The pad has thermal stuff on it too, by the way. Maybe they did a bad job applying the paste on the stock cooler.

Bit worried that the 95% denatured ethanol will be bad for the northbridge though, but I don't think the gray part of the paste will go off just poking at it with some paper.

 

[Blunc]

ethanol shouldn't hurt anything on the mobo as long as it has dried off before you turn it back on.

100% isopropylcan also be used safely.

 

[Old Hippie]

but I don't think the gray part of the paste will go off just poking at it with some paper.

Sounds burnt. Just sounds like somebody on the assembly line decided to give you a thermal pad with thermal paste.

No biggie. Just take the thermal pad off, apply paste to the chipset, and go for it.

 

[Emultra]

I'm done now but I didn't take the pad off. :/

Been running for about 3 hours now, the cooler is hot to the touch but that means it's at least working. I might get an additional chassi fan.

 

[Old Hippie]

Sounds good.

I used this Switech unit. Kept it very cool.

Good Luck!