Dell Optiplex 7010 SFF, thermal failure, super loud CPU fan

[epalette]

My system had a thermal failure a few month ago with very high CPU temperature. System restarted a few time in the next few days and no persistent issues afterwards, but since then my CPU fan started to spin at full speed and created huge noise from time to time during low load tasks (e.g. web browsing, text editing) or even idle. Yet CPU core temperature is around 40 during these tasks, I would say it's normal. Hardware diagnostic checks showed no hardware issues.

I tried the following:
1. Upgraded all my hardware drivers and BIOS
2. Replaced my old CPU fan
3. Installed Speedfan but it couldn't detect the fan
4. Re-applied thermal paste

The same issue still happens. I am running out of ideas, any advise? Thank you.

 

[wtfh4x]

Did you click the Dell option on Speedfan?

 

[epalette]

Did you click the Dell option on Speedfan?

I couldn't find Dell option you mentioned in the latest speedfan version.

 

[wtfh4x]

I couldn't find Dell option you mentioned in the latest speedfan version.

edit: scrap that, it's only for laptops not desktops.

 

[yusoffb01]

one of the risks of buying a 10 year old used business pc

 

[HelloSensation]

My system had a thermal failure a few month ago with very high CPU temperature. System restarted a few time in the next few days and no persistent issues afterwards, but since then my CPU fan started to spin at full speed and created huge noise from time to time during low load tasks (e.g. web browsing, text editing) or even idle. Yet CPU core temperature is around 40 during these tasks, I would say it's normal. Hardware diagnostic checks showed no hardware issues.

I tried the following:
1. Upgraded all my hardware drivers and BIOS
2. Replaced my old CPU fan
3. Installed Speedfan but it couldn't detect the fan
4. Re-applied thermal paste

The same issue still happens. I am running out of ideas, any advise? Thank you.

If there's no hardware failure, just ignore it. Probably the fan controller getting wonky with age. That's to be expected with used systems.

What kind of specs, by the way? Old business machines can be very good value for money at times, and only require minor upgrades like SSD and RAM to get them up to speed as opposed to building a new desktop. Just look at my specs on the right: you'll be surprised to know that I snagged this deal for a third of what comparable up-to-date hardware will cost, while still outperforming said modern hardware

Don't let people who have no experience on the used hardware market tell you otherwise.

 

[Ark Law]

It's probably related to the following issue since it seems widespread in enterprise deployment. So you'd need to self-source a fan replacement.

https://community.spiceworks.com/topic/341991-dell-optiplex-7010-cpu-fan-is-loud

 

[Koenig168]

Just replace the entire HSF with a Cryorig C7.

A cheaper alternative is to replace the fan with a low RPM case fan and let it run at full speed. It will lack static pressure but should work fine for daily use.

 

[Ark Law]

Just replace the entire HSF with a Cryorig C7.

A cheaper alternative is to replace the fan with a low RPM case fan and let it run at full speed. It will lack static pressure but should work fine for daily use.

Remove the problematic fan, ghetto mount a GT

In my PC, I think the C7 fan is useless cause the GT is so close to it and overpowers it. Maybe that's why had to RMA it after 2 years

 

[Koenig168]

Remove the problematic fan, ghetto mount a GT

In my PC, I think the C7 fan is useless cause the GT is so close to it and overpowers it. Maybe that's why had to RMA it after 2 years

Good call on the GT. These are great fans.

I have two on another rig, one as rear exhaust and the other on a 212evo pushing air towards the exhaust fan. Worked well and I can barely hear them at 100% speed.

 

[epalette]

If there's no hardware failure, just ignore it. Probably the fan controller getting wonky with age. That's to be expected with used systems.

What kind of specs, by the way? Old business machines can be very good value for money at times, and only require minor upgrades like SSD and RAM to get them up to speed as opposed to building a new desktop. Just look at my specs on the right: you'll be surprised to know that I snagged this deal for a third of what comparable up-to-date hardware will cost, while still outperforming said modern hardware

Don't let people who have no experience on the used hardware market tell you otherwise.

Thanks for your reply. I have been using it for 8 years, have been pretty happy with it until the thermal failure. I will upgrade the hardware with ssd and extra RAM if i am able to solve the fan issue.

Win 10 Home, Core I5 3470 3.2G, DDR3 1600 4GB, HDD 500GB, Radeon 7000 1GB

 

[intrance]

Thanks for your reply. I have been using it for 8 years, have been pretty happy with it until the thermal failure. I will upgrade the hardware with ssd and extra RAM if i am able to solve the fan issue.

Win 10 Home, Core I5 3470 3.2G, DDR3 1600 4GB, HDD 500GB, Radeon 7000 1GB

IMO.. rebuild it.. get a new/used case with better airflow.

before that.. take out the side case.. see if the CPU temp is better when you run your PC

 

[shadow84]

Thanks for your reply. I have been using it for 8 years, have been pretty happy with it until the thermal failure. I will upgrade the hardware with ssd and extra RAM if i am able to solve the fan issue.

Win 10 Home, Core I5 3470 3.2G, DDR3 1600 4GB, HDD 500GB, Radeon 7000 1GB

Getting a 8gb ddr3 1600mhz ram would be very useful along with a 250-500gb ssd.

 

[evq]

Getting a 8gb ddr3 1600mhz ram would be very useful along with a 250-500gb ssd.

I did that: add another 4GB ram, 120GB ssd, use back the original 500GB hdd as D/drv, installed Win10 to my old Dell.

I also reapply thermal paste. TS, have u look into reapplying thermal paste?

 

[epalette]

I did that: add another 4GB ram, 120GB ssd, use back the original 500GB hdd as D/drv, installed Win10 to my old Dell.

I also reapply thermal paste. TS, have u look into reapplying thermal paste?

That's my upgrade plan as well. I have reapplied the thermal paste, didn't help. I want to solve the fan issue before I upgrade, I really cannot stand the noise.

 

[epalette]

Just replace the entire HSF with a Cryorig C7.

A cheaper alternative is to replace the fan with a low RPM case fan and let it run at full speed. It will lack static pressure but should work fine for daily use.

Thanks for the suggestion, will look into compatibility with my motherboard and SFF casing.

 

[epalette]

IMO.. rebuild it.. get a new/used case with better airflow.

before that.. take out the side case.. see if the CPU temp is better when you run your PC

CPU temperature is always normal (40C~45c) even when fan spun like crazy. I mainly use it to surf internet, word editing etc. Opening up casing didn't help anything except making noise level higher...

 

[hexenB]

Thanks for the suggestion, will look into compatibility with my motherboard and SFF casing.

Looking at this youtube video, seems like it is not possible for you to change to 3rd party hsf as the space is taken up by the hdd, unless you want to re-route the hdd to the back of casing or besides the psu.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkwAmARl0AE

Before you change the default hsf, you might want to get a spare fan and check the wires with the dell wires, if tally then can plug into the motherboard and see whether it will spin 100% (may need to remove the 1x4 plastic on motherboard) or whether there will be any bios boot error message (due to incompatible fan, like 3pins)

https://downloads.dell.com/manuals/...sktop/optiplex-7010_owner's manual2_en-us.pdf
see pg 29-30

If replaced with dell original fan, then problem solved.

https://community.spiceworks.com/topic/341991-dell-optiplex-7010-cpu-fan-is-loud

 

[epalette]

Looking at this youtube video, seems like it is not possible for you to change to 3rd party hsf as the space is taken up by the hdd, unless you want to re-route the hdd to the back of casing or besides the psu.


Before you change the default hsf, you might want to get a spare fan and check the wires with the dell wires, if tally then can plug into the motherboard and see whether it will spin 100% (may need to remove the 1x4 plastic on motherboard) or whether there will be any bios boot error message (due to incompatible fan, like 3pins)


If replaced with dell original fan, then problem solved.

Thanks for reminding. Yes, the hdd is directly above CPU, no room for non-default heat sink like the C7. What a headache.

What's the possibility of faulty temp sensor or something else? I never saw a surge in temperature before the fan started to spin at full speed. Let's say I manage to change a new 3rd party fan or even a heat sink but the mother board keep sending wrong control signal to the fan, I will still have a max noise level of a full spin fan...

 

[epalette]

UPDATE

I managed to find another hardware monitor software HWINFO that allows me to manage the speed of CPU and Motherboard fans separately.

I am using custom auto mode to control according to a user defined look-up table based on CPU and ambient temperature. It only allows 0,1600 and 3200 rpm control but good enough for me. Great stuff. Finally have my peace of mind.

Thank all for the discussion.