Fan on CPU makes strange cracking noise

Question

I recently bought a new video card for my pc.

It's a Nvidia Geforce GTX 560 Ti with dual fans on it.

On this picture you can see: http://lh5.googleusercontent.com/public/uJvlZEEg02SnxoZSYkpQYQUmahWFrtvDUgrW7ggnaKrNnhs8e6BbOWfP96Uh95S1AGTn0XdK5tsLQtcMui4P68EmHA19IrPqLx-c_umco5adSsPyNZnWqXyeChXthSy2

Now the problem is that the smaller fan on the right starts making a very strange ticking noise once in a while. It usually lasts for hours, and only stops when i give the fan a little flick. Then it goes back to spinning normally, without that sound.

I have taken the videocard apart, taken the big metal casing off to confirm it is not touching that. But even with the whole case off, it still make that noise. I can confirm that it isn't touching anything (as far as i can see). Also the fan is clean, no dust.

On this video you can how I 'fix' the noise: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxRbrkuaayw (best to turn up your speakers)

But it does come back after a few hours, and i gotta do it again.

I prefer not to have to send my card back to nVidia as that would leave me without a working PC for too long.

Answer 1

If it's new then get it replaced. They MAY be willing to send you a new one first before you return the old one.

It may run "forever" BUT no fan should make any significant noise when new and there is a significant chance that it indicates a problem that will shorten the life.

OR You may be able to find a trailing edge video card cheap for while you wait.