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Too darn noisy

  • 29-03-2007 1:29pm
    #1
    dubstub
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 204 ✭✭


    Hi,
    I recently built a HTPC but I'd like to get it a little quieter. My setup is:

    Silverstone LC16M with the 2 stock 80mm fans
    X-Power generic 400W power supply
    AMD Athlon X2 with stock AM2 fan
    Passively cooled X1600 GPU
    MSI Neo-F Motherboard with passively cooled chipset

    I don't think the CPU fan is too bad. It's spinning at about 1000RPM.
    The two case fans spin at full speed all the time but I can't slow them down. The MSI Dual Core center application crashes under Vista. Couldn't get SpeedFan to slow them.
    The power supply was cheap and may be the weak link.

    Can anyone recommend the easiest and most cost effective way to get this system quieter? I don't particluarly want to swap the power supply as I'd have to cut all my cable ties and it took some time to get the case neat and all the cables out of the way. Plus, good quality, quiet or fanless power supplies are expensive.
    The two case fans could definitely be quieter. The system runs at about 40C and the CPU at 42C idling. Under load the CPU can rise to about 55C. Are there better case fans for quiet PCs?
    The CPU cooler could be replaced for one of those Zalman monsters - it'd fit in the case and there's an air inlet right beside the CPU for it to pull air in from.
    I don't want to do it all so I'd like to hear what people think would be most effective. It's pretty frustrating that manufacturers or resellers don't post noise levels for all these components; you're left relying on marketing - super quiet, noiseless, silent (which never seems to mean truely silent), etc.

    Thanks


Comments

  • #2
    8T8
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,757 ✭✭✭8T8


    It is definitely the stock fan & PSU that are probably the nosiest.

    The case offers plenty of room for quiet Zalman or Scythe coolers though installation will be a pain as they require removal of the motherboard for a support to be fitted.

    The Arctic Cooling Freezer 64 Pro does not require special mounts so easy install, it is quiet enough just not as effective as the two above however with cool & quiet enabled that should not really be a problem.

    Finally the Tuniq tower may be another contender but I'm not sure if this one will fit but it is one of the most effective and quiet coolers on the market (has fan controller to limit fan speed).

    You could replace the dual 80mm fans with one of these however it is hard to say what impact it will have on cooling until all the pieces are in place. Any of the Akasa Amber, YS Tech or Zalman 80mm fans are also worth considering.

    The PSU really needs a better more quite model like this Tagan model - max 20dba

    Generally around 20dba it should be tolerable for all fans in the system.


  • #3
    Ghost Train
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30,472 ✭✭✭✭Ghost Train


    got these in pcworld i think.

    http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/292418/art/akasa/pc-case-fan-120mm-amber-1.html

    http://www.jeantech.com/450.htm

    stock amd fan was quiet enough. the machine is now pretty quiet. also got some acoustic foam and sheets which probably help a bit. and cool and quiet software/bios settings help


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