T43 Fan Noise vs. T42 Fan Noise Comparison

[fallschurchva]

Newbie here, but been a lurker for several months. I wanted to add my comments on the fan noise comparison b/n the T43 and T42. I know, for some, this is trivial and they have no such problems with the fans, but for me, and others out there who are more sensitive to such things, this may be of help.

I purchased a new 15'' T43 (2687DDU) three weeks ago and loved every aspect of the computer--except the fan noise. The fan kicks on to a "high" RPM after being on for 10 or 15 minutes and no matter what the computer is doing or not doing, the fan remains at this RPM. By no means is it nearly as loud as a bathroom fan, but the nature of the sound reminds me of one. The frequency of the fan noise is just loud enough that it does not blend away into the background; instead, it makes its presence known in a irritating manner. The worst was when I was surfing/typing in a quiet environment, I just kept on thinking how wonderful it would be if the fan noise would blend away.

So, I put in an order for a new 15'' T42 (2379DXU) to compare the fan noise. I received the T42 this afternoon and so far I have been very pleased with the lower level of noise being generated. The T42 fan is clearly audible, but unlike the T43 fan, the noise generated blends away into the background. While I type/surf, I am not actively aware of the noise. Actually, the T43 fan is exactly as such when the computer is first turned on. Unfortunately, the T43 fan inevitably kicks up into the annoying "high" RPM stage after the computer is on for 15 minutes.

I'm sending back the T43 tomorrow. It's a shame, but IBM should try to address this. When I called the EPP rep, he mentioned that he's received a number of customers who have complained and subsequently returned their T43s because of the fan noise. He was curious himself to know why there hasn't been a "fix" to this.

Again, to preempt any flame on this thread, I realize noise is very subjective and personal. A jackhammer in the background is no problem to one individual, while the hum of a refridgerator can be incredibly annyoing to another. I'm just trying to be helpful to those who are on the sensitive side.

[roast]

This worries me a bit, as I'm waiting for a T43p coming, and decided that I'm probably more noise-tolerant that most people here (which is probably not true - as the reason why I'm typing this is because there's this darn bird who won't shut up until 4 hours from now, 5am EST). I was hoping that undervolting would provide the most help to addressing the fan level, but you do not seem to have mentioned that you tried this. My question is: have you tried undervolting the processor with Centrino Hardware Control?

[danny_isr]

Actually, the T43 fan is exactly as such when the computer is first turned on. Unfortunately, the T43 fan inevitably kicks up into the annoying "high" RPM stage after the computer is on for 15 minutes.

hmm that makes me think of two things : or something with your settings is different then mine. or not all T43 are the same ....

my T43 fan noise blends with the background unless there no background noise at all. then i can hear it. and it almost never kicks up to the High RPM except for boot up - and if it doe's and it's really rare it's only for few seconds

[sugo]

Have T43 users played with the Fan Sound Level setting?

http://www.laptoplogic.com/images/revie ... tmax_2.gif

fbrdphreak's review page 4 also points out that T43 runs 5-10'C hotter at idle than a similarly configured T42. It's not too surprising that T43 makes more noise.

http://www.laptoplogic.com/reviews/ibm/81/4/1/

Edited by Moderator: What is it that makes everyone suddenly think that the "links, not images, without a warning in the subject line" convention has been lifted?

[danny_isr]

mine idles on 43-44 i'm on adaptive and lowered the voltage


it probably does make more noise then the T42 , but from his descriptopn it's way loader then normal for a T43.

Just use the "search" on this forum. we discussed this issue to death

[nrj45]

This worries me a bit, as I'm waiting for a T43p coming, and decided that I'm probably more noise-tolerant that most people here (which is probably not true - as the reason why I'm typing this is because there's this darn bird who won't shut up until 4 hours from now, 5am EST). I was hoping that undervolting would provide the most help to addressing the fan level, but you do not seem to have mentioned that you tried this. My question is: have you tried undervolting the processor with Centrino Hardware Control?

Idem, I'm waiting on my t43p, I'm currently using CHC and hope to reduce fan noise with the same manner.

[fallschurchva]

I should've been more clear in my OP. The T43 "high" rpm I am describing is NOT the initial "hyper" RPM the fan kicks into when the computer is turned on or comes out of hibernation. The fan revs into this "hyper" rpm stage for less than 5 seconds at boot-up then settles down into a very quiet and relatively inaudible state for 15 or so minutes. It's after this 15 minute period that the fan increases RPM into a "high" constant whooshing.

As for any adjustments to the system beyond the standard user power settings, no, I have not tried any of that.

[Bluecat]

Have been using the T43p for a week now. Very happy. Noise blends away and other things around me are much noisier. When starting up it sounds like it wants to take off, but a few seconds later it dies away. Now f.i. my CPU is on 55 degrees and the fan is really soft. Can imagine that when it would be allways as loud as at start up it would really annoy me, but it isn't.

When burning DVD's and other intensive tasks like copying large files I have had temperatures of 78 degrees, of course with loud fan activity, but this is normal.

I am not undervolting, am on dynamic switsching for battery and max. performance for mains. Get more than 5 hrs of battery life with standard applications. About 3 hrs when burning DVD's and with CPU intensive rendering.

When changing the keyboard I saw I have the long fan installed, it also cools the GPU. It maybe explains the weight difference between 43p and non p (p is slightly heavier for the same type of configuration.

[danny_isr]

why did u replace the leyboard ?

[Bluecat]

Gas German, now US! Better for me, was used to US. Some letter keys are switched like Z and Y.

Both Thai btw. Only thing I dislike is the right arrow key giving nasty tick. But not enough to have all the hassle of an exchange.

[danny_isr]

i have a tick on the left bottom
and not crazy about the keyboard not sure wich one it is