Are power supplies always the loudest part in a case?

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m3kun

m3kun

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Jan 14, 2014
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I built my PC about a week ago and used an older power supply (Corsair GS600, first gen).

The power supply was the loudest part and that drove me mad, considering my 2 intake, 1 exhaust and Air-cooler weren't making any noise at all in comparison. I've stopped them, turned them down and also unplugged all for a sec to make sure none of them is doing wrong. Oh, and i also stopped the GPU fan.. no difference to hear. Good!

So the only thing left was the PSU, which is why i bought a shiny new power supply today.

I got me the "XFX PRO750W Core Edition" which people commented on that they are quiet and the review i've read also claimed its a silent unit. So i thought i am on the safe side, considering it is modern product, OEM by Seasonic, compared to my dusty GS600 from 2011 which was probably about to die.

Long story short: The new XFX one is just as loud.

Conclusion: PSU are always this loud and i have to deal with it?

And with loud i mean, like a Playstation 3 loud. I feel a relief when it shuts down. Same with the PC atm.. So what is the point in buying expensive silent case fans then, i wonder.

hmmppf... I already stretched my budget and now this.

Maybe the thing is broken?
Are there some settings in the BIOS to "tune" it?
Should i just give up on the idea of having a silent system?

Help!

I have an ASRock motherboard (990fx) and my case is a Fractal Design Define R4.
 
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Adroid
The AX760 is a top notch psu made by seasonic (based on the X-series) and would be as silent as you are going to get. The fan doesn't turn on until "up to" 70% power draw (over 500 Watts), which I highly doubt your system would even draw under full load. Even if the fan did turn on it's a sanyo denki - pretty sure the best fan you can find in a power supply.

Yes it's overpriced and yes it's too big for your system, but you would get a near silent PSU.

Your other option would be to go fanless, like this:

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Seasonic-Platinum-Fanless-520-W-Power-Supply-Review/1664/1

I would get a second opinion to make sure the 520W is enough for your system if you go that route.

The fanless are quite expensive...
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ahnilated

ahnilated

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In my systems you can't even hear the power supply fans at full load. You can barely hear the PC at all when it is idle unless you are in a totally quiet room, then you might hear the fans. I have 3 X 140mm fans in the front and 5 x 120mm fans blowing out the back, including the PSU. They are all spinning at 1200 rpm.
 
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Adroid

Adroid

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What are your computer specifications? If you are running a sli/crossfire setup, than yes, the xfx 750 is going to be loud under load.

If you are drawing 70-80% of your PSUs max output, then YES it will probably be loud.

I have a 660 platinum seasonic that is very quiet; it even has a "hybrid" setting to where the fan is OFF when under 35% load.

Typically GPU/CPU fans are the loudest in the PC. If you size your PSU right, it shouldn't be excessively loud. Alot of good brand companies have a RMA policy that includes coil whine or loud fans.

Keep in mind I write this as my subjective opinion, as "loud" is a matter of interpretation.
 
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m3kun

m3kun

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Jan 14, 2014
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My build:

Fractal Design Define R4 (with window)
CPU: AMD FX 8350 (4.1 ghz)
ASRock Fatality 990FX Killer (newest model)
Scythe Ashura "Shadow" CPU Cooler (single fan)
Crucial Ballistix 8 GB DDR Kit
XFX Radeon R7 260x (single 6pin)
2 Intake Front (fractal silent series r2)
1 Exhaust Rear (arctic cooling f14)
1 SATA2 mechanical 7200rpm (WD1TB Black)

So in total 4x 140mm fans that, running at 900rpm (unable to hear unless you put your ear 5cm next to it)

My CPU is 10°C to 15°C in IDLE (core-temp) and socket around 30°C .. i've let my PC run for an hour now, not using it, and the PSU fan does not control itself. It sounds like it is at full speed all the time (given how my CPU fan sounds, i estimate around 1300rpm). I thought that it will eventually start to spin slower, but noes...
 
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m3kun

m3kun

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Jan 14, 2014
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Ok, i have decided to return the XFX unit. I guess i was somehow always above 350W and review reported it spins ~1100 rpm at that amount, with the next stop being 2000+ rpm at full load. Wow! My case is very well vented and cool. I don't really get the point of that, but oh well. Gone it is...

So right now i am looking at:
- Seasonic SSR-750RM 80 Plus Gold PC-Netzteil (ATX 2.3, 750 Watt) - PRICE: 129,50 Euro
- Corsair AX760 Platinum (760 Watt, ATX 2.3) - PRICE: 150,- Euro

Internet says they are quiet and solid. I am not uber-happy about the pricepoint though (hence no X-series).

Suggestions for saving money? My budget is about 100,- really.
 
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Adroid

Adroid

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The AX760 is a top notch psu made by seasonic (based on the X-series) and would be as silent as you are going to get. The fan doesn't turn on until "up to" 70% power draw (over 500 Watts), which I highly doubt your system would even draw under full load. Even if the fan did turn on it's a sanyo denki - pretty sure the best fan you can find in a power supply.

Yes it's overpriced and yes it's too big for your system, but you would get a near silent PSU.

Your other option would be to go fanless, like this:

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Seasonic-Platinum-Fanless-520-W-Power-Supply-Review/1664/1

I would get a second opinion to make sure the 520W is enough for your system if you go that route.

The fanless are quite expensive and wouldn't allow you the ability to upgrade to a bigger GPU in the future, so I personally would go for the corsair ax760 if they are near the same price point.
 
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