laboitenoire

Alright, I've noticed recently that whenever I start my computer, it sounds like the fan on my GPU takes forever to spin up. Every now and then it sounds like a bad bearing or something's grinding, and sometimes it just sounds like it keeps on gaining and losing speed.

Do you think it's safe to assume that the fan is dying? If it is, that's a bit of a problem. I only paid $30 for this 2600XT, and I've heard that Visiontek has some of the worst customer support out there. I would also try getting an aftermarket heatsink to slap on there, but it's an AGP version of the card, and I have no idea if any of them would fit on here. Plus, it could very well cost more than I paid for the card.

However, I plan on getting a new laptop soon, as I will be going to college and don't want to lug a desktop. Do you think the fan could last until late April or early May? I was hoping to maybe get a school-specific student discount on my laptop, but if this is more pressing, I might have to scrap that idea...

Suggestions?

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DIRTYDUCK

try looking in Rivatuner and setting your fans to a set lvl...like 75%...then restart your rig and see if it still does it...if so then its time to look for aftermarket cooling...really I say everyone should go after market anyway, the stock cooling on GPUs is a freaking joke!

I love love love my VF-1000LED!

Oh yeah...next time it does that sound, give it a flick with your finger and see if that makes it change sounds or stop....I had a card that you could just flick and it would stop. lol

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BlackOmega

Theres no answer to how long itll last. It could last till next year it could die on you today. If its grinding theres a few things I would do. Check the fan make sure its not loose on the card itself. Blow any dust out of it, around it and if at all possible out of the center where the bearing is. Clean all of the fins to make sure its balanced and not wobbling, etc.

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laboitenoire

I did that a couple weeks ago as it started making some noise then, but today it just took even longer than it has been to get going.

I've tried using RivaTuner with this card, but for whatever reason it didn't work. I'll give it another try.

EDIT: Installed RivaTuner, and it let me change the fan speed. I set it 100%, but I didn't notice a difference at all...

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