noisy iMedia 1559 PC

[micromac666]

I bought this PC a couple of years ago and it's always been noisy (shop said it was within limits so wouldn't do anything). Having seen the HEXUS videos on quietening PCs I took off the side panel and identified main source of noise as a large black plastic 'horn' or funnel pushed loosely onto the CPU fan housing - not screwed on.
I'm a novice about computer hardware but presume this funnel is supposed to help direct airflow from the nearby casing perforations. Can it really make much difference to airflow? When I took it off the noise disappears - I'd love to discard the funnel or will the CPU cooling be badly affected???

Any advice would be welcome please.

[listy]

keep hold of it(for time being) but keep eye on the temps but really cant see it making much odds

[micromac666]

Thanks listy.
As I said, I'm a novice - how do I check temp and find out if it rises above what it should be?

[listy]

speed fan should

http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php

you might even get away with core temp

http://www.alcpu.com/CoreTemp/

[MSIC]

A quick google search shows me your system is this one:
Packard Bell.
Does the shroud (black plastic thing) have a fan attached? Or is the fan still on the heatsink?
Personally, so long as the CPU remains cooled by a fan on top of the metal heatsink, i think you'd be fine. But i'd also seriously consider getting a better HSF (heat sink fan) like the videos show, from as little as £10 for an Arctic Cooler Freezer. Since your system is a 'LGA 775' type, anything modern will physically fit on.

The other thing you might want to do is, since you've taken your side off the PC, just get a thin hoover nozzle in there and (carefully) suck out al lthe dust. Sometimes that can make a real difference, and add to heat build up as well as increase the risk of rattling.

PS I also use SpeedFan, it's a great little piece of software although (for some reason that i've never understood) you have to manually start it each time you boot up into Windows (or add it into the 'Start' menu -> Programs -> Startup).

[micromac666]

Listy and MSIC, thanks a bunch guys. I'll follow up your suggestions. I have now also done a thorough 'hoovering' plus tightened up all screws and tied loose cables. Yes the heat sink still has the fan sitting on it, the shroud was loosely attached to the fan housing.
Hopefully all should be well but I'll monitor as you suggest and follow up a new fan if necessary.

All the best.

[MSIC]

You're welcome. Let us know how it goes.