What are some ways to keep a chip cooler running quiet and smooth?

I've had an ASUS V9560 AGP card for some months. In the last 2 or 3
months, it's started making worrisome noises. Sometimes it sounds like
the fan is having trouble spinning, clicking very fast and making
noise that modulates in pitch, others it's quiet but clicks
intermittently. As far as I can tell, the noise it makes has nothing
to do with what the computer is doing. Is this a common problem with
ASUS video cards? Could it be caused by the fan not getting enough
power, or otherwise be fixed without physically altering the card? Do
I need to lubricate the fan somehow, or replace the whole cooler
module? I've already tried cleaning it with an air duster, that
doesn't really help, but it makes a cool zing noise when I spin the
fan with it.

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Clarification of Question by dannykins-ga on 04 Mar 2005 15:46 PST

Okay. I think I'm going to replace the chip cooler. What kind should I
get? It should be quiet, cheap (I am in college and therefore poor),
and keep the chip cool. I don't do overclocking, I can't afford to
risk burning out expensive hardware, it just needs to keep running.

I am not a GR, but it could be something to do with all those things. 
The other day however at work, one of our users complained of the same
issue, I went to have a look, and it turned out to be part of a
post-it note that had got sucked into the fan.  That whizzing noise is
great, try it in the power fan for an deeper bass!

BB

damn, I wanted to add something as well, completely unrelated, but
wanted to share it with... Went to a computer store yesterday and they
had slapped the cooling part of a freezer (the compresser) onto the
top of the case, to cool the CPU.

BB

I think that if you get your computer harddrive casing changed to a
better casing, it may solve the problem. There are ones on sale i all
computer stores.

There are two types of bearing systems in fans -- plain and ball race.
Re-oiling cures for a good few months. Usual way to get access to the
spindle bearing is by peeling off the label. Lay it flat and apply a
couple of drops of light oil on the shaft. Let it sit for half an
hour, dab off excess oil, stick label back on and re-install. However
unless something is touching the fan, I suspect since it is quite new,
it was a Friday job and lubing will not cure. Sounds like a ball race
type and the cage has collapsed or the balls have gone square. A
motorbike I bought new had a complete absence of even a smear of
lubrication in the headstock races. They collapsed spectacularly. Also
once found a new VCR race totally dry. So it does happen, and the only
(practical) cure is a new fan. However, the fan type is not critical
as long as it fits reasonably well so you might find a cheap one you
can slap in. But since it should still be in guarantee, perhaps you
should consider returning the card for replacement. Yea I know it?s a
hassle, but if it completely stops working you can guess the
consequence.

Incidentally, try speaking into a big rotating fan for that authentic
?Dalek? sound.

Best

If the fan is easily removed and the body isn?t a fancy moulding,
remove it then visit your local computer shop. Show them the fan and
the card and ask if they have anything which will fit. Go for a two
wire non-thermostat one so it runs all the time. Cost a few quid.
Either that or do what I do -- scour the rubbish skips.

Best

It seems like everyone above me has no idea what they are talking about. 

Most of the stock coolers on nVidia's FX5xxx line were loud and
ineffective. nVidia even poked fun at the loudness of the coolers by
comparing their noise level to that of a leaf blower. Even if that is
not the case for your cooler, all fans have a life-span and towards
the end of their lifes they get noticably louder.

So yeah, you're going to need to replace your stock cooler. The
process of removing the stock cooler and installing another will take
roughly 15 minutes.

I recommend the Vantec Iceberq cooler, it is a very popular choice
among enthusiasts. It is inexpensive $6.50
(http://svc.com/vanvgaandchi.html) and a great little cooler.

All you need to do is:

1. Undo the two plastic pins holding the current cooler in place
2. Gently twist off the cooler (the thermal paste shouldn't be too
strong so it shouldn't take much force.. if any force at all)
3. Get some rubbing alcohol and a paper-towel and remove the thermal
paste from the chipset (the thermal paste they use is garbage)
4. Apply some quality thermal paste (Arctic Alumina which will run you
$3( http://store.yahoo.com/svcompucycle/aral30gsyrfr.html))
4a. If you don't own any thermal paste and can't afford to spend $3,
bare chipset -> cooler contact will work better than the cheap thermal
paste ASUS uses.
5. Sit the Iceberq evenly onto the chipset
6. Fasten the Iceberq back on using the plastic pins
7. Connect the molex connector to your PSU

Congratulations, you've successfully installed a replacement graphics cooler.