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Why does my computer sometimes make a sound?
At times it'll be quiet then all of a sudden it will start sounding similar to an air conditioner, like my PC is working overdrive almost. It's not all that loud but still very noticeable. It's not my monitor or anything. It's the box, the actual PC.
Even when I end the processes I'm on it continues until it randomly decides to stop. My mom has been concerned, she thinks my PC is going to break. But it seems just fine to me..It's just that noise. Why is it being caused and is there a way to stop it?
Answer
It is just your CPU fan speeding up.
Like a car, with a radiator cooling fan, when the car gets hot, the fan starts running and cools the radiator, and that cools the engine.
In a computer, the cpu runs all the time the computer is on, but when the computer is not being used, the fan runs slow, so it is quiet. During times of loads, when you are using it a lot for stuff, and working it, the fan start running faster, so it makes more noise. And when the air in the house heats up, like during the summer, the computer also heats up, and can cause the fan to run more then in Winter.
Hearing it run is a good sign, meaning that the fan is working. When it doesn't work, then the cpu will overheat and shut your computer down.
However, it the fan gets real noisy, like sounding like sand paper rasping or something, it is time to check the fan. They get worn out and need replaced at times, also. But most times, when the fan has problems, it slows down, and causes heating up.
No, you don' t want to stop it, it is just there. You might be able to find another fan/heatsink that is quieter, but most are the same size and make about the same amount of noise. The larger fans are quieter, since they don't spin as fast but put out a lot of air anyway.
But you can't put a larger fan on your cpu, unless you can find one specifically made for that.
Installing a fan/heatsink can be a pain, also.
Other Answer
thats a cpu fan.
it make the your computer cpu cool.
because when your cpu overheat your computer will crash.
it has sensor when the sensor feel that cpu is hot.
it make the fan faster,
so that was the sound that you hear.
That is completely normal.
What happens is that when you run an application, the CPU (Central Processing Unit, its like teh "brain") starts working harder. that harder work and more cycles makes the CPU get hotter. the CPU fan kicks in and spins faster to cool it down more.
even after you close the program, it takes a few minutes for the CPU to cool down into normal operating temperatures, so thats why the fan stays on stronger.
the CPU isnt the only thing that has a fan. if you are playing a game or watching a movie, your Graphics Card will also need cooling down, so its fan will kick in as well.
the CPU has a failsafe so if it gets too hot (beyond what the fan can do), it will shut your whole computer down; so unless thats been happening, you dont need to worry.
It may be your CPU getting warmer, and as a result the CPU heatsink/fan is automatically turned up to ensure the CPU (central processing unit) stays cool. Install a program called CoreTemp or RealTemp to monitor CPU heat levels. You may need to purchase an aftermarket CPU cooler, or improve the general airflow passing through the case by cleaning it of any dust and making sure that cords/cables are out of the way, maybe add a fan or two (if possible ofcourse). Or it may be the GPU (graphics card) fan, providing you have a graphics card.
Definatly take a look at some temps with those programs and see whats up.
I was going to say it was the Harddrive but then you said it sounded like an air-con and harddrives don't tend to make that noise.
