Fans always running on max a bad thing?

[zesnickers]

Just made my new build today, Antec 300 case. It came with two 120mm fans which don't seem to have any 3-pin prongs to attach to the mobo, just a little attachment with a low/medium/high switch.

I also bought a Sunbeam Core Contact Freezer to replace the processors stock heatsink, and the fan that came with it is controlled by a little knob from low-high. at the moment I have all of these fans running at max, and I'm wondering if this is bad for the system. I don't really care if it wears down the shelf-life of the fans themselves (lol replace for 10 dollars), but yeah, if theres anything I should be aware of let me know ^^

Thanks a bunch!

 

[mpilchfamily]

Running at max is what the fans are designed to do. Your not hurting anything and if the noise is no problem then its best to run them at max to maximize the are flow and cooling of the system.

 

[Zepper]

If the noise is tolerable to you, there is nothing wrong with it. As you surmised, you can increase the life of them by undervolting a bit - I don't think the Antec Tricool fans can be replaced for under $10.00 each... Some devices CAN be overcooled and at the temps my case occasionally achieves in the winter months, condensation can be an issue.

.bh.

 

[videogames101]

Originally posted by: Zepper
If the noise is tolerable to you, there is nothing wrong with it. As you surmised, you can increase the life of them by undervolting a bit - I don't think the Antec Tricool fans can be replaced for under $10.00 each... Some devices CAN be overcooled and at the temps my case occasionally achieves in the winter months, condensation can be an issue.

.bh.

!!!

 

[imported_Scoop]

Yes, it's bad for your ears.

 

[Zepper]

I thought that as long as you keep the noise level under 80dB or so for reasonable periods, you were OK. Can't imagine total noise of any PC getting that high - must be running a handful of high speed Deltas... The frequency spectrum of the noise can be very irritating though shouldn't be damaging.

.bh.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I didn't think it was possible for air-cooling to have condensation issues. That would mean that some component was getting cooled, more than the air around it. But since the air is doing the cooling, that's impossible, isn't it?

 

[Zepper]

All the temp has to get is to dew point or below. Cooking a big pot of spaghetti or taking a long shower can raise the dew point substantially in a closed environment.

.bh.

 

[faxon]

yea i run a humidifier in my room, especially during the winter, because it helps my asthma. sometimes it gets so hot from the extra humidity though that i open up the door and both windows (screen door and screened windows ftw!). if i let it get cool enough before closing some stuff up i can get condensation on my case. usually the parts inside dont have any trouble, though i have had a tiny bit of build up on my CPU coolers from time to time, which goes away pretty fast. turn off the humidifier for a few days though and i can get my CPU down to 17c idle (44watt A64 4000+ at 1.35v rofl)

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: Scoop
Yes, it's bad for your ears.

What i cant hear you...

My 6 raptors in RAID 0 is is too loud.

 

[LS8]

All my fans run at max speed all the time and my rig has been going strong for years.