Is this CPU Fan any good ?????

[PartsMan]

I finally (five years) broke down and decided to build myself a new PC. Went to Frys, got the parts, brought them home, and went to sleep.

I open the packages this morning and discover the CPU Heat Sink Fan was previously purchased. The (copperCore) thermal grease was applied and left on it when was put back in the package. The Vantech Aeroflow CPU HS fan has grease over almost the whole bottom side ... not just the copper center of it.


Now it's a 70 mile drive back to that Frys, or a 50 mile drive to another one, and I'm thinking I'll just clean it, and use some other paste .... like Arctic Silver. But then fear enters my mind and says what if the Fan was no good to start with and that's why it was returned ?????

So I have some questions in an attempt to minimize my driving.[*] Is there a way to test the fan without it being installed ? to see if it runs? [*] To do this test, Does the Mobo have to be installed in the case or just connected to the Power supply?[*] Do I stand a chance of damaging my Mobo when performing this test?[*] If the Fan works ... how do I clean all of the old Thermal Grease off the HS Fan so as not to mix chemicals when I use another brand of Grease?

Specifics: Vantech Aeroflow CPU HS Fan, P4 2.4G, ECS LAVXA2

Thanx in advance !!!!

[Atomic Rooster]

You could open up your old pc and connect it to a spare fan header to see if it spins up. To clean off the old grease, you can either use isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) or finger nail polish remover. Either way I would call the Fry's store up and complain.

[Omardeth]

you should be fine , just clean it off like atomic rooster says .

when you buy things at fry's you have to look them over good and make sure you DON'T buy anything with the extra return sticker that they put on all there return items .

[Xeroid]

They probably returned it because it didn't cool properly with all that grease on it. Like stated above, if the fan spins up OK you should be fine.

That's a good HSF, it's what I use on my XP2400.

[PartsMan2]

I don't know if I can hok it up to my old Mobo ..... I don't remember where the book is .... can I hook it up to my new one without the Processor and just the main power cable hooked to it ? Or will that be a risky venture ???

Thanx again for your replies ... past and future !!!!

[PartsMan2]

This is my new handle ..... as my ISP has changed and I forgot my password .... and so has my PC ?!?!?!?!?

[shawshank62]

i wouldnt be suprised if it was something like me, i bought it at a frys (vantec aeroflow) tried to put it on, capicators got in the way, and instead of removing the thermal paste just put it back. but i couldnt return mine since i bought it in vegas during vacation, so i just saved it until i got new mobo. really nice fan, u wont be disappointed.

[Atomic Rooster]

Come to think about it, you should be able to plug it into the new mobo without the CPU in it. I belive the power will come on then shut off when no CPU is detected. That should be just long enough to see if the fan works.

[PartsMan2]

Problem solved !!!!

I went to CompUSA and bought an adapter and plugged in the fan in another open sided PC. Fan powers up !!!!

I'll clean it like you guys said, and apply a small amount of "Silver" and be up and running soon.

BTW ~ I like this Vantech fan ..... Boy is it quiet !!!!