The GPU (graphics processing unit) is one of the most important parts of a computer. There can arise several problems with GPUs, naturally, and one of the most common problems that people have is that their GPUs start to make a sort of grinding noise.
Their first reaction to this is often alarm or panic since it can sound pretty loud. So, why do GPUs sometime start to make grinding noises, and how can you fix it?
There can be various reasons for this. One of the most common reasons is that the fans have some sort of tissue on their blades, or that they spin too close to the cabling. This will make your fans deteriorate faster and may cause other issues as well, so make sure that there isn’t any dust or tissue on the blades and that the cabling isn’t physically touching the fans.
As I mentioned, there are a couple of reasons why your GPU can start sounding like this. Let’s go through the situation in detail below. Keep reading to find out how you can stop your PC from making grinding noises.
Why Your GPU Makes Grinding Noises
Before we start, make sure that the sound is actually coming from your GPU. You might have already confirmed this, but if you haven’t, you can remove the GPU and start your computer without it to see if it still makes noises.
You will have to plug your display cable into your motherboard slot instead if this is possible. Most computers have internal graphics these days. Make sure that your computer is completely turned off when you remove the graphics card.
Wait for about thirty seconds after powering off your computer and then remove the power cables at the back of your computer. It’s highly recommended to wear a wrist strap when tinkering with your computer’s components.
1. Something in the Fan Bearing
The fan bearing is a cylinder at the center of a fan. It has an important role when it comes to the fan spinning properly, and if something is stuck in the fan, this can cause problems.
It doesn’t have to be some big object, some debris can be enough. This can further lead to your computer overheating, too. Instead of buying a new fan immediately, you can try to clean it with a compressed air can.
Make sure that you spray the air in the right direction. This direction should be the same as the fans would rotate normally. Also, don’t spray from too close.
2. Fans are Failing – Buy New Ones
GPU fans can hold for a good while, that’s for sure. It’s estimated that on average, they endure about 4 years. Of course, the life length can vary depending on how you have treated your fans before.
If you treat the fans to a cleaning every once in a while and don’t let them spin into things, you can have them for more than 5 years without issue.
Fan bearings are usually the parts that fail, and if this is the case, then you should just buy new replacement GPU fans. They usually sell for about 10 dollars, so at least you won’t have to pay a massive amount of money to get the problem fixed.
Before you do this, check out the other solutions first and see if any of them work for you.
3. Cables Too Close to the Fan Blades
Another common reason why PC users hear a “grinding” sort of sound from their GPU is because their GPU fan is rubbing up against the fans, making them spin into the cables. The fans move at very high frequencies.
It’s important that you make sure that no cables or anything similar is touching the fans. Open up your computer and see if any cables are touching the fan blades of the GPU. This goes for pins, as well.
Zip-tie cables and bend the cables instead. If you don’t have a lot of space in there, look into getting fan grills for your fans. It’s fine if the cables are close to the fans, at most, they will block some airflow, but they shouldn’t be physically touching.
Earlier, I mentioned that fans usually go about 4 years before not working anymore, and it’s usually thanks to these things. You can spare your fan a few more years of life by handling it properly.
4. Dust or Tissue on the Fan Blades
Dust or tissue on the GPU fans might seem like a minute problem but it can actually cause some significant damage if left unchecked. For example, the fan blades can stop spinning at all.
It’s also possible that dust, tissue, or anything similar can make the fan blades unevenly balanced, causing them to spin in an incorrect manner.
You should clean your fans every once in a while. Don’t use paper or anything that can get stuck on the fan, however, as this may just make your problem worse.
Instead, use a microfiber cloth or a very soft brush. Remember that you should turn off your computer and remove your power cables before doing this.
If you really want to clean out your GPU, you can do a deep clean. If you want to do this, you’ll have to remove the GPU from the computer. I found this video to be very helpful.
5. Coil Whine
Coil whine is a common occurrence with GPUs, and the whine usually stems from other things than what we have discussed previously. That’s why you should make sure that coil whine isn’t what you’re hearing.
This sound should be distinct enough, but you never know. It’s like a high-pitched whining sound. Here’s an example of coil whine.
If this is what you’re experiencing, you’re not alone. A lot of people have this same annoyance. You should update your graphics drivers through your GPU manufacturer, and turn off things like overclocking.
There’s good news for you if what you’re hearing is coil whine: it isn’t actually dangerous for your GPU. The only suffering from this is the annoying sound that it produces.
Have patience with it, and the sound may diminish over time.
6. The GPU is Faulty (Manufacturing Defect)
If you’ve tried the solutions above, and your GPU is new, there’s a chance that the GPU is somehow faulty and that you need to RMA (Return Material Authorisation) it.
This way, you can return your GPU and get a repair, replacement, or refund. Remember that this has to happen during the warranty period of your GPU.
To do this, contact the place where you bought the GPU and ask for it. Make sure to have the RMA number handy. The number should be on the box the GPU came in.
How Long Should a GPU Fan Last?
As I mentioned earlier, the lifespan of GPU fans varies greatly depending on how you treat them. Some fans only last for about 2-3 years if they hit stuff continuously while spinning.
How long fans last also depends on the frequency of use. If you don’t use your computer that often, the fans are going to last longer. For example, if you use your computer a couple of hours every week, then the fans will literally last for a decade or more.
Another factor in how long fans last is how fast they spin. If they constantly spin at their max capacity, the lifespan of the fan is going to be shorter. This can also vary, however. Some users have their fans running for long periods of time at 100% capacity and still have them for a really long time.
Finally, it also depends on the quality of the fan. A lower-priced fan is probably going to last for a shorter period of time. Keep in mind to always check reviews and things like that and not just the price when buying these things.
Is It Hard To Replace a GPU Fan?
First thing first: if you take on the task yourself and fail, the warranty you had will no longer be valid. So keep that in mind before going to work on your GPU.
There are some mechanical aspects to consider when replacing a fan, such as opening up your computer and unscrewing/unclipping the fans, but the most difficult part lies in choosing a fan that will work for your GPU in the long run.
It’s important to find the right fan(s) for your GPU, as buying just a random replacement fan may not be up to snuff. For example, if it can’t provide enough cooling to your GPU, you may have big problems on your hands.
So, a lot of research may be required for this. Check online stores and do research on what fans your graphics card wants to use. Don’t settle for less in this matter.
Summing up: there are quite a lot of factors to be considered, but mechanically speaking, it’s not terribly difficult in general. I would consider checking out an exhaustive guide on YouTube before and during your fan replacement.