View Full Version : Fan failure paranoia
I just ordered a Swiftech MC462A with the Delta fan. This fan has no RPM feedback so I'll lose the safety feature of my motherboard to shut the system down in case of fan failure.
So, in the unlikely event of fan failure, I'll have to depend on MBM to detect the rising temps of my CPU and shut the system down for me in case I'm not there.
How long would my CPU last if the fan failed, just out of curiosity. Anyone know?
chawken
08-15-01, 05:17 PM
Originally posted by VecchK
I just ordered a Swiftech MC462A with the Delta fan. This fan has no RPM feedback so I'll lose the safety feature of my motherboard to shut the system down in case of fan failure.
So, in the unlikely event of fan failure, I'll have to depend on MBM to detect the rising temps of my CPU and shut the system down for me in case I'm not there.
How long would my CPU last if the fan failed, just out of curiosity. Anyone know?
The life of an AMD CPU without any HSF assembly is roughly about 9 - 20 seconds.
With a good heatsink - like the Swiftech - you should O.K., as your system would lock up before any fatal damage would occur.
It would lock up but wouldn't it keep running at that temp and keep heating up until it died?
chawken
08-15-01, 06:02 PM
Originally posted by VecchK
It would lock up but wouldn't it keep running at that temp and keep heating up until it died?
One of my tech's was assembling a PC, mounted a Hedgehog on a AMD 1.0b chip, and forgot to connect the fan. He powered on the PC and walked away. About 30 to 40 minutes later he returned and the PC was locked up. He powered off and rebooted, and noticed that the fan wasn't connected. Again he powered off, connected the fan, powered back on and the PC booted just fine. It has been running for about 6 months now without any problems.
Well, that makes me feel better. Granted mine will be a 1.4 overclocked and at high voltage, but that still makes me feel better. Thanks. :)
Once your computer locks up your cpu goes into an idle state. At least thats what I believe. If it burns up, oh well. I got 8 other computers here with compatible cpus. :rolleyes:
The CPU can still burn up in an idle state. :( Oh well. I'll have to keep a close eye on it. It will probably be okay.
I have an MC-462A and before implementing my Hoot Chute, in an experiment I let the CPU run without the fan going, just the case fans providing circulation through the case. With the CPU running at its default speed and voltage and with a mobo and OS that supported halt-on-idle, the temperature, as measured with a drilled thermocouple, slowly rose to about 46C and stayed there. That is certainly not a catastrophic temp, but many factors influence whether you would have the same results. Room temperature, case ventilation and whether you are overclocked and if so, how high, all play big rolls in the result. If I had to rely upon my HSF, minus the fan, to cool my CPU, then the MC-462A is certainly the one to have it happen with. One good thing about the Delta fan is if you are always present when your PC is running, there will be no doubt as to whether the fan is running or not! ;D
Contrary to what you might think, when my CPU locks up, and believe me, I have locked it up plenty of times trying out an OC setting, the temp goes Up! It would appear that halt-on-idle only works when the CPU is running. I know that sounds contradictary, but it's true.
Though I do not use it, I believe there is a shutdown program that can be invoked by MBM when the CPU temperature reaches a pre-defined value. Someone with more exact knowledge of it, feel free to chime in here.
Hoot
PS: I did not move this to the Cooling Forum as I believe many AMD CPU owners can benefit from it.
It_The_Cow
08-15-01, 09:51 PM
Hmmm... Check to see if there is an empty lead on where the wires connect to the fan. If there is one, solder a wire to it and connect it to your motherboard. That should give you monitoring. It's a long shot, but it may work
Hehe, yes. I will definatly hear the delta fan but I leave my computer on when i'm not there.
I'll look for that shutdown program. Does it shutdown instantly or does it go through the windows shutdown routine?
Soldering a feedback wire was one idea I had, but again.. no guarantee it has one. Thanks for the input everyone. If you have anymore ideas, keep 'em coming. :)
Again, I do not know much about this utility, but now the name "Shut Down Now" comes to mind. Even if it goes through the Windows shutdown process, the temperature climb once the fan stops is not so quick that only a few seconds separate you from life or death. One concern that comes to mind is that the CPU may stop working properly at an elevated temperature and not execute the shutdown routine. So you're stuck choosing a temperature to begin the shutdown process at that you know will not cause the CPU to lock up and that may prevent you from reaching as high an Overclock as you might be able to obtain. I know from experience, that at my highest stable overclock, a rise in temp of only 2-3C will lock it up and that would not leave me much room for deciding to shutdown before the CPU is unable to execute a shutdown. As a rule, I do not leave my PC running, unattended at an overclock so close to the edge.
Hoot
I just found a solution that satisfies me. I went and installed Shut Down Now which integrates into MBM. When the temp gets too high I have it run a forced shutdown on Windows and it emails my cell phone as well. I live in a fraternity house so I can just call the house if I get an alert and there will always be SOMEONE there to go check it for me. :D
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