Ah...just like noisy synchromesh in a car....simply turn up the music volume...

Sorta hard when everyone is sleeping and I think I'm allergic to more than 30 min. headphone useage, feels like i've been in a boxing match.

Ah....but look at my avatar.....I frequently am found complaining of a crease in my face due to the compression of headphones....typically on for 8 or 9 hours in a day...

Who said Motor Racing Officialdom was idylic/romantic? ...

If your fan is kicking in when you have it set to only go on when needed then maybe your problem isn't a quieter fan but a cooler CPU.  Was it overclocked?  Can you buy a bigger heatsink?

Headphone compression is painful.

Cooler? no it isnt overclocked. Im not running anything to heat the dang thing.. even just opening IE with nothing else loaded it whiiirs, its like...anytime i do anything, regardless. up and down... all damn day, I expect it to stay on when rendering something but to check my mail? Open a webpage?

Do all PC's do this or am i just noticing it because the stock fan is louder than most?

I assumed there might be some kind of software that allowed user control of the fan, perhaps not.   

Like Speedfan?

SpeedFan will do the trick!!
I have 7 fans & I can hardly hear them!!
There are after market cpu coolers that you can adjust the RPM.
I use a Zalman cnps 9700LED that has a fan controller, works like a charm!!
I am sure there are other brands you can check out.

Just spray it with some WD40....that'll shut it up.

SpeedFan is good....Intel also have tools on their home page that may address noise and heat issues, or....

....mini ear plugs don't cost that much.

can also turn off the computer

Speedfan looked GREAT..until I had NO idea how to use it,  So, in lieu of buggering it up I deleted it and went with Jafo's initial but frustratingly finger in the dyke advice.

Lol, WebGizmos

Its not squeaking... its just whiiiirs... LOUDLY

WAHHHHHH !!!!!       

I heard that Ford, GM and Chrysler have all improved their muffler systems lately....if you can find the right model for the job.

If you are turning down the fan I'd be careful as it might need to spin at it's 'noisey' speed to keep the processor cool. Turning it down could cause your system to overheat with disasterous consequences.

I had the same problem several years ago and it was driving me nuts. I went out and spent about 100 bucks on a good quality heat sink and fan which proved to be a far better cooling system than the one provided by the manufacturer. Some cooling paste to put between the heatsink and processor and I installed MBM - Motherboard Monitor - which is nice piece of monitoring software and I was good to go. BUT I guess you have a new machine there and if you tinker with it you're going to invalidate the warranty. If I were you I would complain to the maker and get them to change it.