T43 fan noise... really that bad?

think.t23 · **Posted:** Wed May 28, 2008 2:28 pm

Hi.

I have an opportunity of buying a T43p or a T42, I have been reading about the fan noise of the T43.
This laptop would be used mostly for school and in a quiet classrooms.
I would like to hear T43 users opinion on this.

thanks.

ajkula66 · **Posted:** Wed May 28, 2008 5:18 pm

Having owned both,and in quantities, here's how I see it:

a) One thing you haven't told us is the screen size/resolution of the prospective machines. If you have a choice get whatever has a 15" FlexView LCD, you won't regret it, much better picture quality and way easier on the eyes.
b) T43p will be way noisier than T42 by any margin. It will also be hotter.
c) On the other side, T43p is faster, and generally a better built machine than T42. GPU issues are extremely rare, which can't be said for T42 units.

These are the basics. Posting 7-character model codes for each of your prospective ThinkPads would help determine a few more things that one should consider before purchasing.

Hope this helps.

think.t23 · **Posted:** Wed May 28, 2008 5:33 pm

these are the machines: 2668-G4G and 2373-K5G, both have 14" (1400x1050) LCD.

What about TPfancontrol, is it safe?

MGT · **Posted:** Wed May 28, 2008 6:01 pm

think.t23 wrote:

these are the machines: 2668-G4G and 2373-K5G, both have 14" (1400x1050) LCD.

What about TPfancontrol, is it safe?

No 14" has Flexview, so if you want that, you'll be going for a 15" UXGA display.

I do think 14" 4:3 is the best form factor, but now that I've got a Flexview, I can't think of going back to a TN panel. You'll have to balance the form factor with the IPS screen, because they're mutually exclusive.

mgo · **Posted:** Wed May 28, 2008 6:38 pm

think.t23 wrote:

these are the machines: 2668-G4G and 2373-K5G, both have 14" (1400x1050) LCD.

What about TPfancontrol, is it safe?

TPfancontrol isn't magical, but it helps. This program does two things:
1: determins when the fan starts to run as the machine warms up under load
2: controls fan speed and therefore the fan noise when it starts to run
3: some fans (like on the T43) are annoying at any speed. (my opinion) but the irritation can be mitigated with TPfancontrol.

As far as "safe" well if the threshold for starting the fan is set too high, then you have the risk of gradual heat damage.

The program does have a built-in "safety valve" where the computer's BIOS will seize control of the fan speed and over ride TPfancontrol till things cool off again.

I have used TPfancontrol on four of my ThinkPads with good success and no problems. Both XP and Vista will run it. Pay attention to the instructions when installing, there's a little "trick" to it due to the 3rd party freeware controller.

ajkula66 · **Posted:** Wed May 28, 2008 11:42 pm

Given that we're discussing 14" machines here, T43p will be even hotter than its 15" version.

If you're intent on running GPU-intensive applications such as AutoCad, Photoshop etc. you may want to go with T43p regardless of heat and noise.

Johan · **Posted:** Thu May 29, 2008 1:43 am

The issue of T42 versus T43 performance (incl. fan noise!) has - as you already know! - been discussed extensively on this forum, and much information is available. I recall a recent, thorough discussion about this; see the thread About to buy; T42 vs T43; NOISE, HEAT, 15" SX vs. UX LC - you may want to browse that (if you haven't already?), and also the links pointed to therein.

Johan

AdaSch · **Posted:** Thu May 29, 2008 5:02 pm

Hi,

i have two 2668-G4G, great machines

true ibm

my two t43p are very silent - look on solution

my english is very poor but i tray explain why t43p is loud

automatic translation by google.

a description of why t43p is loud
1 GPU in t43p is different than other models
2 GPU and the CPU does not have an equal amount (CPU is above)
3 stupid engineer with the LENOVO, instead of a different design heatsink devised setting of the thermal GPU between a heatsink
4 A worker, of course, too much preparation required conductive heat
5 heatsink not kept level and is not founded in parallel to the structure of the CPU
5 Radiator is the side GPU
6 engine windmill based on the enclosures
7 casing acts as a resonance box
8 solution - to remove all between heatsink and GPU
9 apply the usual silicone or something similar, but soft
10 radator perfectly sit on the CPU
11 does not touch the engine casing - enjoy the silence, and a lower temperature.
12 I do not recommend AS5, better use liquid cool labolatory pro - the best product

i have many pics from this process

please correct my fatal english
Please, someone to prescribe them to be legible

p.s.
i replace pentium m 750 to 780, but i don't hear diff. still silents
Pentium m 780 is much quicker

think.t23 · **Posted:** Thu May 29, 2008 5:12 pm

AdaSch, thanks for your reply.

It would be nice to see some pictures of this process to get a deeper understanding.

thanks.

AdaSch · **Posted:** Sat May 31, 2008 5:58 pm

think.t23 wrote:

AdaSch, thanks for your reply.

It would be nice to see some pictures of this process to get a deeper understanding.

thanks.

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g79/a ... 56-duy.jpg

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g79/a ... 57-duy.jpg

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g79/a ... 58-duy.jpg

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g79/a ... 59-duy.jpg

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g79/a ... 60-duy.jpg

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g79/a ... 61-duy.jpg

and

results

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g79/adasch/TFC.png

br

Admin edit: Changed all of the images to links

qviri · **Posted:** Sat May 31, 2008 6:21 pm

AdaSch wrote:

please correct my fatal english
Please, someone to prescribe them to be legible

If you PM me in Polish I may be able to translate better. Also, if you could change embedded images into links to images, that would be very helpful.

davidspalding · **Posted:** Sun Jun 01, 2008 2:19 pm

think.t23 wrote:

these are the machines: 2668-G4G and 2373-K5G, both have 14" (1400x1050) LCD.

What about TPfancontrol, is it safe?

I've used it for a year or more, and have had no ill-effects. Using it in conjunction with a battery-saving power scheme (which you can customize yourself), I not only run cool and quiet, but run longer on battery. "Notebook Hardware Control" (NHC) discussed around here is also effective.

TPFanCtrl requires some diligence in RTFM'ing the instructions and not using it to just not run the fan at all at any temps, as mgo stated. You can moderate your settings versus the BIOS defaults by switching from one to the other and "hearing" the noise at various speeds (you can also manually set the speed for yourself).

We need a mod to change the subject to indicate scads and scads of images, please....

think.t23 · **Posted:** Sun Jun 01, 2008 4:55 pm

I think I have reached a conclusion. I'm leaning towards another machine, an T42p 2373-GXG.
The T43p was little more expensive then the T42p.

Anything to look out for when testing a used T42p, except for the GPU problem? How can I test problems with the GPU, just by tapping the machine?

Johan · **Posted:** Mon Jun 02, 2008 12:03 am

think.t23 wrote:

Anything to look out for when testing a used T42p, except for the GPU problem? How can I test problems with the GPU, just by tapping the machine?

A few hints about this may be found in the thread Would u say that a used T42P is reliable ? + Things To Check.

Johan

jamiphar · **Posted:** Mon Jun 02, 2008 12:06 pm

Just wanted to post my experience with the T43p (14.1") in my signature. It definitely runs hot out of the box, mine was getting up to 80C before I did anything to it. Now, after undervolting it and applying fresh AS5 (instead of the black thermal pad), the laptop never goes above 66C (even when stress-testing for hours) and it stays around 41C-45C during medium use.

With the laptop staying so much cooler now, the fan doesn't get too loud. It's usually off or at a very low speed.

kai920 · **Posted:** Tue Jun 03, 2008 7:16 pm

I've had a T43 2668-AH3 for 3 years (warranty expires October 2008) and the only problem I had with the fan was that it needed replacement. Possibly due to wear n tear.. it was making some loud, un-normal noises.

I have never been bothered by the fan noise otherwise.

ulrich.von.lich · **Joined:** Mon Oct 31, 2005 4:18 am **Posts:** 485

The T43 can be a quiet machine when using properly. Here are some tips:

1. Use TPFanControl to manage the fan under all circumstances. I sat the fan speed at 1 when TP running about 50 - 60C, the BIOS would've sat it at 4 which is loud and unnecessary. I also sat the fan speed at maximum 7 for extreme conditions. such as between 80 - 90C, BIOS would've sat it at only 4 which is insufficient in this case. Under BIOS control, the fan would speed up to 7 at about 92C.

2. Use ThinkPad Default as power scheme instead of Maximum Performance. This would reduce the operating temperature for non CPU intensive tasks. The CPU would be put in full power when resource demanding programs are running.

Right now the maximum temperature on my T43 is only 57C (54C when not hooked up to Dell monitor) and the fan speed is only 1. The noise level is very tolerable.

Hope it helps!

rssb · **Posted:** Wed Jun 04, 2008 12:50 pm

Another important factor to be considered is, the original T41, T42 long fan heat sinks, have more % of copper as compared to the T43 one.

Making it a better conductor.

rain1984 · **Posted:** Thu Jun 05, 2008 11:22 am

the screen is nice! as to the fan noise， I think it is much much quiter than desktop, right? You can also set the cpu to a auto adapt mode reduce heat. Fan control is pretty good software!

Marten · **Posted:** Sun Oct 25, 2009 4:54 pm

To AdaSch
What did you put between GPU and fan? Some thermal compound or silicon? Is it safe to remove that rubber layer?
Thanks.

AdaSch · **Posted:** Sun Oct 25, 2009 5:33 pm

Hi,

I just re profile Cu radiator to perfect contact between cpu and GPU (radiator is very plastic)
(of course, test, modification and check without thermal compound)

after that i apply thin layer Arctic silvrer 5 on gpu and radiator (look on instruction in AS5 home page)

from that moment i forget about problem with fan noise and High temp

my max registered temperature is near 85stC with 2,26GPU

i do abut 30 mods with 100% success)

more about my idea: look bellow.

Cheers

David_r · **Posted:** Tue Mar 23, 2010 5:10 am

I additional remove heatspreader from GPU chip and reaply fresh thermal compound.

http://www.spawalniczy.com.pl/1.jpg

http://www.spawalniczy.com.pl/2.jpg

At maximum performance i noticed 72C - cpu and 65C - gpu
(t43p 15'UXGA - 2.13Mhz - ATI v3200)

T43 fan noise... really that bad?

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