[wil]

So...I have an OEM radeon in my cube. the fan keeps crapping out (gradually getting extremely loud). I usually solve this by buying an ATI Rage on ebay for a few bucks and replacing my radeon fan with the newer rage fan. But after 2 times, it's getting old. Also, cleaning the fan helps to a certain extent, but ultimately, if the fan is symetrically clean the noise can degenerate very quickly. By cleaning, I mean wiping of the blades with the same kind of cloth used to clean lenses, nothing else.

What I want to do is either:
A) replace the fan with a heat sink
B) just remove the fan and let that small bit of metal casing (that held the fan in place) act as a semi-heat sink

I don't know how to do A...or if it's even possible.

I'm concerned about B, if I do this and there is a problem, will it fry my computer or just start causing graphics glitches?

Thoughts? Suggestions? (I live in Seattle, so room temperature isn't really a factor).

[olli2]

I suggest no to remove the fan but reduce its rpm. You can use 1N diodes to do this. Soldering 5-6 in serial on the red wire of the fan will reduce the voltage from 12V to around 7V, hence the speed reduces to 2000 rpm. It will be very quiet, and you still have active air ventillation.

[*Mhz]

Go to an electronic shop and buy a fan with ball bearings. it usually helps and they last about as long as you can stand that video card. Normal cheap fans start to make very irritating noise when in constant stress.

I wouldn't change the fan to a heatsink. If it would have been enough cooling for the chip the manufacturer would sure have not invested in putting a fan in there.