I've recently upgraded my old Thinkpad T440p to a custom desktop for better performance, especially to compile the Linux kernel. Due to sensory issues, keeping the noise down is crucial for me. I chose a setup that included a Noctua NH-D15 G2 cooler, NZXT H6 Flow RGB case, an AMD Ryzen 9900X processor, and an MSI X870 Tomahawk motherboard. Despite all the positive reviews for quiet operation, I'm experiencing loud fan noise on boot, reaching speeds of 1000-1200 RPM, which is comparable to my old laptop under full load. The CPU temperature seems to be high as well, between 65-70 Celsius with no load. I'm at a loss on why it's this loud and hot, as I believe I've followed the install steps correctly. Any tips on troubleshooting or adjustments I could make?
2 Answers
Have you checked to see if you removed all protective films from the cooler and fans? There can be some paper that’s sometimes hard to spot. Also, double-check the orientation of the fans to ensure they’re set up correctly for airflow. And just a heads up, you can't upload pictures here, but using an image hosting site could help if you want to share your setup!
First off, don't stress too much—building PCs can be tricky! As for the thermal paste, how exactly did you apply it? High temps at idle aren’t typical for your cooler setup, so it sounds like something might be off. Ensure that the cooler is properly seated on the CPU; if it’s not, the thermal paste won’t do its job effectively.
If it was your first time applying thermal paste, it’s understandable! Just make sure you didn’t overapply it, as a thick layer can lead to poor heat transfer.
I did remove some paper from inside the fans but I might have missed other protective coatings. I’ll check again to be sure!