NV Silencer 5 dying

[beatle]

I noticed the fan on my NV Silencer 5 had been making a little more noise than usual. I have it set to 50% during 2D activity, but yesterday it sounded louder, like it was at 100%. Tonight it started roaring, like the bearing was falling apart. I touched the center of the hub and it quieted down for a bit. Seconds later it started making a racket again. I touched it again and it has been relatively quiet for now (about 5 minutes) but I have a feeling it's on its way out.

I'm planning to give Newegg a call tomorrow, as that's where I bought it. Hopefully they can give me a phone number for Arctic Cooling that's in the US if they don't replace it themselves. Anyone had one of these die on you? Who did you end up getting an RMA from?

 

[JBDan]

Mine too . It seems as though several models are doing this as I have read several forums and people having this same issue. Fan is whining. Mine is not making a racket yet, but I know its headed down that path. Thinkin about trying the new Zalman VGA cooler. Reviews looking good

 

[gcol]

You might try squirting a little WD40 into the motor shaft area (if you can get to it) - sounds like you've got dry bearings. It should work almost instantly. Do this sooner rather than later or you risk damaging the thing further.
Bit worrying that this is happening though glad I've got the VF700-Cu

gcol

 

[HardWarrior]

That's a surprise considering that the NV5's use ceramic bearings. I'd check with AC before I did anything to it, like trying to oil it.

 

[Tiamat]

Although you guys did not have the same option as I do to incompatability, Im glad I went iwth the Zalman ZM80D. It was a B1tch to install, but with no moving parts, at least i dont have to worry about a fan getting bad. I hope you get this resolved.

 

[wisdomtooth]

Originally posted by: HardWarrior
That's a surprise considering that the NV5's use ceramic bearings. I'd check with AC before I did anything to it, like trying to oil it.

Silicon nitride ceramic bearings require lubrication just as any other bearings do. Otherwise the surface of the bearing will wear excessively and fail.

Plastic-friendly light machine oil will do a good job in the case of the arctic silencer.

 

[HardWarrior]

Originally posted by: wisdomtooth

Originally posted by: HardWarrior
That's a surprise considering that the NV5's use ceramic bearings. I'd check with AC before I did anything to it, like trying to oil it.

Silicon nitride ceramic bearings require lubrication just as any other bearings do. Otherwise the surface of the bearing will wear excessively and fail.

Plastic-friendly light machine oil will do a good job in the case of the arctic silencer.

True enough, but I would expect the bearing cap to be sealed in some way. If oil is escaping, the unit has an QC issue. My suggestion to do nothing to the unit, until a support call is placed, is motivated by not wanting to have the OP hear that removing a seal invalidates a warranty, if there is one.

 

[HardWarrior]

Originally posted by: Tiamat
Although you guys did not have the same option as I do to incompatability, Im glad I went iwth the Zalman ZM80D. It was a B1tch to install, but with no moving parts, at least i dont have to worry about a fan getting bad. I hope you get this resolved.

The ZM80's are great HS's, but like you said, a PITA to install. I learned after the first one (3 total so far) I assembled that it's best to separate all the parts into their own piles and work from there.

 

[MrControversial]

Someone please give AC a call to get this resolved, because I'm about to purchase this puppy.

 

[JBDan]

Originally posted by: HardWarrior
That's a surprise considering that the NV5's use ceramic bearings. I'd check with AC before I did anything to it, like trying to oil it.

I'd rather try the Zalman before I do anything to the NV5. These "ceramic" bearings I know nothing about. Can't have too much pc stuff anyways. Can always find a build that needs it.

 

[JBDan]

Originally posted by: MrControversial
Someone please give AC a call to get this resolved, because I'm about to purchase this puppy.

I have rev 1. Rev 2 is out now. Maybe it has been resolved with this newer rev 2. Mr. Con just make sure you get rev 2 so you can let us all know after a couple of months if its still quiet. lol It is a good cooler, but with mass production of any product you are going to get "lemons". and for the price which is reasonable(in my opinion), no big deal if it goes bad. (also in my opinion) Get the next "new cooler."

 

[beatle]

I called Newegg. They're replacing it. Now I need to cross my fingers for the stock cooler to hold with only 2 studs.

 

[MrControversial]

Originally posted by: JBDan

Originally posted by: MrControversial
Someone please give AC a call to get this resolved, because I'm about to purchase this puppy.

I have rev 1. Rev 2 is out now. Maybe it has been resolved with this newer rev 2. Mr. Con just make sure you get rev 2 so you can let us all know after a couple of months if its still quiet. lol It is a good cooler, but with mass production of any product you are going to get "lemons". and for the price which is reasonable(in my opinion), no big deal if it goes bad. (also in my opinion) Get the next "new cooler."

So are you suggesting that I be a guinea pig? My case isn't that big and I don't like the whole recycled air thing, but then again I do have a side intake blowing fresh air in so I can do whatever. I really like the NV Silencer.

Problem is that my CPU fan (56dB Delta) is so loud that I won't be able to hear the NV fan act up.

 

[JBDan]

Not suggesting a guinea pig at all was just jokin around. I liked the NV5 for a while, my opinion about the cooler has just changed, not just because of the now whiny fan, or the poor finish on the copper base, but rather its build quality. The method by which they cool is fantastic, its just the quality of the materials used.
Edit: you could go back to when I got this cooler and find praise by myself for this cooler on these forums, but people change

 

[HardWarrior]

Originally posted by: JBDan

Originally posted by: HardWarrior
That's a surprise considering that the NV5's use ceramic bearings. I'd check with AC before I did anything to it, like trying to oil it.

I'd rather try the Zalman before I do anything to the NV5. These "ceramic" bearings I know nothing about. Can't have too much pc stuff anyways. Can always find a build that needs it.

The Zalman cooler are nice, once you get them on. The plus for ceramic bearing is that they can last for a VERY long time. I know what you mean, I've got boxes FULL of old computer sh1t I just can't part with.

 

[beatle]

Originally posted by: HardWarrior
The plus for ceramic bearing is that they can last for a VERY long time.

Just not this particular one. Hopefully the new one will fare better than the old one. Are there any unique marks that identify which revision of the cooler you have?

 

[HardWarrior]

:laugh: Yeah, just not this one. I guess I wouldn't wait unitl I had the unit until I knew the rev #. Are they just sending you one?

 

[beatle]

Yup. I sent it Fedex ground, so hopefully I'll have my replacement in a week and a half.

 

[HardWarrior]

A week and a half??? Where do you live, Alaska?

 

[beatle]

VA -> CA via Fedex ground, a week. Fedex saver back, half a week.