3050 SFF, noisy fan

Actually, it's the USFF that I have. So, I only have one fan I think.

It would help to know which fan is noisy.  The CPU cooler fan or the case fan. 

As the SFF models are more compact heat can be more of an issue, especially if it is not located where it can get adequate cool ambient air flow.  First thing is to locate it where it can get the air flow, if its not now.

If its still under Dell warranty, contact Dell support.  Only Dell support can get it corrected under warranty.

The Dell support site only shows SFF, Tower and Micro.  The Micro does not have any fans according to the documentation.

https://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/product-support/product/optiplex-3050-desktop/manuals

This is mine

Because of forum moderation of pictures it takes a while to see them.  I finally see it, Sunday.

anyway, It's the CPU fan next to the heatsink. It sometimes freezes my keyboard and my mouse and I have to turn the Pc off to be able to type again.

thanks for your answer, so what could I do to fix the issue? change the heatsink or change the thermal paste?

Yeah, that is the "Hood Fan" that sits ontop of the passive CPU heatsink. You own the Micro version, as Dell stopped making the USFF long ago.

I have a 3060 Micro and it's the same basic design, but unless I really push the system (usually me working + Windows Update hammering away) the fan doesn't even come on. 6-core i5-8500T.

If it's a recent issue, then the fan motor could be going or a problem with the CPU heatsink linking (dislodged or poor thermal grease, etc.).

Here under is the link to the picture of the CPU and the thermal paste. I'd like to have experts' opinions about it. does the paste need to be replaced?

Image

Whether it "did" it now "must" be replaced.  It can't be reused. Once the thermal paste seal has been "broken" it must be replaced.

Clean off the thermal paste from the top of the CPU and bottom of heat sink.  Apply new thermal paste to the top of the CPU, per the thermal paste instructions, reinstall the heat sink.  Arctic Silver thermal paste is recommended.

Here is an example:

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA0AJ3KM0696&ignorebbr=1&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleMKP-PC&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleMKP-PC-_-pla-_-CPU+Thermal+Paste+%2F+Grease-_-9SIA0AJ3KM0696&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIh9D99cqc3QIVxLrACh2aagJcEAQYASABEgJzv_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I'll probably have it done by the local computer shop. Do you think my Pc will go quiet after that?

I don't know, it the thermal paste doesn't fix the problem, then I guess replacing the fan could. But I've seen on other forums that it doesn't necessarily fix it. So, I'll let you know once the new thermal paste has been applied!

That should fix any problems there was with the thermal paste.  Whether that will totally fix it????

+1 on Genuine Dell fan.  Most Dell's require the Dell fan or you will get a "fan failure" notice at power on.

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@fcnlover wrote:

I don't know, it the thermal paste doesn't fix the problem, then I guess replacing the fan could. But I've seen on other forums that it doesn't necessarily fix it. So, I'll let you know once the new thermal paste has been applied!

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If you are paying someone else to fix it, and this machine is being used in a business environment, I suggest you ...

Have a qualified technician replace fan assembly with genuine Dell part, and properly clean-away/re-apply thermal compound (as it should be) during installation. You only tear the machine apart to fix it once, and you attempt to do a thorough repair while you are in there.