Quitest CPU Air Cooler (for my build)

sally_91 · Oct 31, 2017

Hey guys,

I've been waiting for November to come around so I can take advantage of Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals.

I'm definitely getting a Fractal case and I've settled on the Define Mini C.
It's got a 170mm height limit. If I get a CPU cooler that's like 168mm, do you guys think it will get in the way of my RAM and/or top PCI-e slot? How would I go about determining that?

Also, are all the Define Series cases equally silent?

I'd like to get the most silent CPU air cooler that's under $100. I read that out of these 4: Noctua NH-D15, Noctua NH-D14, Dark Rock Pro 3, Cryorig R1.

DRP3 is the best cooler of all 4, but is also slightly louder than the others
D15 is the second best cooler, being slightly quieter than the DRP3 but being louder than the other two
R1 is the third best cooler, is quieter than all but the D14
D14 is the quietest and smallest, at the tradeoff of being 3-5C behind the other coolers in cooling potential

But then there's this chart:

7160_31_thermalright-true-spirit-140-bw-rev-cpu-cooler-review.png

It says that the Thermalright True Spirit 140 comes out on top.
I also hear good praise for other lesser known coolers such as the Scythe FUMA.

I went on PCPartPicker and looked through their CPU cooler database. I organized the list by "Noise Level" and compared the ones that actually had a score. Out of the many dozens, I found one that had the lowest noise level and was also still being sold: The "Enermax - ETS-T40F-RF 65.6 CFM CPU Cooler" with a noise level of 10.0 - 19.0 dbA.

How accurate is PCPartPicker when it comes to those kind of numbers?

rob.salewytsch · Oct 31, 2017

I think the meshify C is slightly louder than the actual Define C, but also has better airflow. So if you have more fans (and thus don't need to work them as hard) the noise difference should be negligible. I guess ultimately it depends on how much you value silence over performance.

In fact, this same question applies to your choice of CPU cooler. Based only on the evidence you provided, I would say go D15. HOWEVER...see the link below.

https://overclock3d.net/reviews/cases_cooling/cpu_air_cooler_mega_test/41

Although I highly suggest you go through the results at the above link, I wanted to give you a little tidbit excerpted from the article:

"the Noctuas largely dominated the performance charts with the Mighty NH-D15 taking top spot overall, but only by the tiniest of margins from the Cryorig R1 Ultimate."

This is where it gets interesting...

"Along with the expected results, there were also a few surprises to be had, with a few coolers really standing out from the crowd. The Arctic Freezer i32 for example is, we think, one of the stars of the show and something of a giant killer. Granted it may not have been the best performing 120mm fan based cooler and certainly not the best looking but at just £23.97 it was certainly the best value for money"

I think the i32 is for intel chipsets only, but there is an AM4 version..which is the 33 (I think).

Please read that article.

sally_91 · Oct 31, 2017

Interesting article.

I forgot to mention that I don't plan on overclocking my i5-3570.

Wait. I googled this and read that all CPUs need a cooler of some sort.
It turns out that the stock cooler is fine? Right now though, I have a noisy "Asetek 510LC Liquid Cooling System 120MM Radiator & Fan".

To make it all for naught, I still need a quite CPU air cooler.

Performance won't be my top, top priority, after all since just finding this out?

jankerson · Oct 31, 2017

sally_91 :

For what it's worth I am running a Noctua NH-L9X65 on my I7 870 and it's very quiet. Can't hear it at all normally, says 14.8 - 23.6 dbA . That's over 10 DBA less than the top one on that list.

If it can keep my I7 870 cool it will have no issue with your I5-3570.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU Cooler: Noctua - NH-L9x65 33.8 CFM CPU Cooler ($48.95 @ Newegg Marketplace)
Total: $48.95
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-10-31 19:44 EDT-0400

rob.salewytsch · Oct 31, 2017

So if you aren't overclocking. I'd look at lists that show noise level (like you posted) and then find the cheapest one near the top of the list.

Lucky_SLS · Nov 1, 2017

For ur use, a Scythe Mugen 5 would be a perfect fit.

sally_91 · Nov 1, 2017

Thanks guys. Sorry for making you read all that. I did put in my work in researching the CPU air cooler with the lowest noise level, even if most would be overkill for my situation.

I'm about to bite the bullet with the Fractal Design Define Mini C.

The Meshify C has tempered glass and isn't part of the Define series which is their "silent computing" line, which is my #1 concern.

There's a day or so left for this sale that's going on right now, and if anyone knows the answer to my question up top,
"Are all the Define Series cases equally silent?," it would be much appreciated!

Lucky_SLS · Nov 1, 2017

The define r5 is the quietest case. So to answer your question, no not all the define series are equally quite.

sally_91 · Nov 1, 2017

Lucky_SLS :

That's a bummer. You think they would only improve on that aspect over time. I keep reading about how the R5 has issues with rattling and I don't feel like transferring the guts into it only to find that there's a problem. Plus I like how the Define Mini C has 3 dedicated SSD spots which I'll be using. I haven't heard any complaints so far, so I'm gonna have to sacrifice some sound level for dependability.

I totally agree with you on the Scythe Mugen 5. It seems like there's 2 other coolers that are neck and neck with the Mugen 5(atleast according to PcPartPicker scores), namely the Cryorig H7 and the Gelid Solutions SnowStorm.

I'm gonna have to look at TweakTown's noise charts one by one to see what they rated the most silent. They have so many reviews though. 255 to be exact.

jankerson · Nov 1, 2017

sally_91 :

I doubt you will find anything as Black Friday/Cyber Monday are pretty much a waste. All most try and do is get rid of stuff they can't sell.

Anything that is really good won't be on any sort of killer deals.

sally_91 · Nov 1, 2017

jankerson :

I think that would go in my favor since I'm planning on buying a 32GB Ram pack for an older Motherboard. DDR3 to be specific. Hopefully sites like New Egg will bump up the percentage on their promo codes.

I forgot to ask. What is the difference between Rev.B and the original Scythe Mugen 5?
And there's also the PCGH version.

Karadjgne · Nov 1, 2017

Cpu coolers do not make noise. Only the fan does. If you already have the Asetek 510LC, keep it. Just get a good fan for it like a Phanteks PH-F120MP or Noctua NF-F12, either of which are almost dead silent upto @900ish rpm.

You have an i5-3570. You can't OC, you are stuck with stock values. That 510LC is far more capable than the stock Intel cooler, equitable to the Corsair H55 I run with either of those 2 fans I mentioned, on an i5-3570k at 4.3GHz. It's silent for almost everything except heavy gaming, and even then it's debatable whether it's the cooler I'm hearing or the gpu/case fans.

Lucky_SLS · Nov 1, 2017

In which case, I would suggest these https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LGN8476/?tag=pcpapi-20

sally_91 · Nov 9, 2017

That would definitely be the cheapest route for me. I could also go in between and try an air cooler and just replace the fan(s) on that.

I know that Static Pressure fans are used over Air Flow fans for radiators. But what about air coolers? Does it matter which is used?

What is the likelihood of the air cooler coming loose vs using a liquid cooler if I tend to move my PC around a lot?

Anyway, thanks for your guys's help! I got an e-mail from Fractal Design Support. I asked them what I asked earlier, Which of the Define cases is the most silent and then if it's the R5, what comes after:

The Define R5 is the only case that we put through the world's quietest room tests, so it is the only one that we have hard data on.

From personal experience I would say the next quietest would be the Define C/Mini C followed by the Define S, but only by the smallest of degrees. You could probably only tell that there is difference between them if you used the right sound testing hardware.

However, it all is really determined by what you install in the case. If you're not installing silent or quiet components the case can only block out so much sound.

Karadjgne · Nov 9, 2017

What you are doing is fighting a loosing battle by going in circles while blindfolded.

All cases are absolutely silent. Then you add case fans. Then a cpu cooler fan. Then a psu fan. Then a gpu fan. Then a hdd. It all adds up one way or another. Generally at idle, if you have decent fans set for low rpm abs aren't worried about a few °C of heat, the case will still be silent(ish). Then you start loading the pc down, cpu fans kick up, psu fan kicks up, gpu fans kick up, case fans kick up. So does the volume. The Define series (and some few others) can negate most of the lower volume sounds, IF you have just the single rear exhaust and keep the top modular panels intact. But no case is going to prevent sound when you really load the pc down and cpu fan/gpu fans are screaming.

So its admirable that you want quiet, I too prefer quiet, which is why I have an oversized aio, define R5, Asus gpu and Evga G2 psu. It's silent upto heavy gaming, then it's barely audible. I have to stress test to hear the case fans. But I can still hear them.

jankerson · Nov 9, 2017

YUP,

Running 3x Noctua 140mm Cases fans and 2x140mm fans on my NH D15, and 2x 100mm Fans on the GTX 1080 and the X-650 PSU with a 120mm fan in a Cooler Master - Master Case 5 Pro.

That's 8 fans.

I can't hear it running at all until like you start gaming etc.

Until then it's silent and I am sitting a foot away from it.

sally_91 · Nov 9, 2017

Yeah, I get that there's gonna be some sound and that you can't get completely silent, no matter what.

I was just relaying the message from the Fractal Support Team for those who were interested.

The whole point of this thread was to get as close to silence as you can with the current technology that's out there.
The topic was on CPU coolers and I appreciate everything you've contributed but as long as you take the educated steps and precautions and learn how things work, you're not really blindly fighting a losing battle as you described.

So again, I'd just like to learn about all the factors in play when it comes to making a silent build, and I know that you can't get perfect silence, but if you combine all the data that's out there, you can come close.

jankerson · Nov 9, 2017

It's not all that hard really.

Quiet case fans + Quiet Cooler + Quiet GPU = Silent under normal use.

As long as the case has good airflow so nothing overheats and cause the fans to spin up it will stay quiet.

I run 2 Silent machines currently and another that I still need to swap out into another case and add another cooler to. The case is 12 YO so airflow sucks and so do the fans and the cooler is still an Intel OEM.

So I will just swap the case out with a Fractal Design Focus G Mid Tower and add 1 Noctua 120mm Fan and a NH L9x65 for the i5 that's in it.

Karadjgne · Nov 9, 2017

Exactly. I use a kraken x61 that does double duty as intakes or exhaust and the 2x fractal case fans as the other. That's 280mm in, 280mm out. Since the cpu almost never goes over 55°C, the fans generally run @600rpm max, the aio 900rpm max. This goes a long way to quiet operation. Generally with decent fans, keeping them under @900rpm keeps db(A) to a minimum. I'll sacrifice 4-5°C for the silence.

jankerson · Nov 9, 2017

Yeah, my fans stay around 800 RPM for the CPU fans and 700 RPM for the case fans.

CPU around the 30C range normally.

Around 50ish gaming... Then they do spin up some, but still not loud.

sally_91 · Nov 10, 2017

You know what? I'm probably taking this too far but I've been considering going fanless, overall.
I've looked at Fanless cases and they all seem to be Mini-ITX - HTPC cases.

If you were to Google "home studio sound proofing", you'd see all sorts of ways people are isolating parts of their room and/or equipment.

Don't laugh but if you were to combine these two designs:

Basically, a metal frame with an elevated base that has a grill opening for breathability. All sides would be open.
Then you would just drape a "Sound Absorption Blanket" over...

Would there be definite overheating or is it just like putting a PC in a closet or IsoBox?

Karadjgne · Nov 10, 2017

Check out the review of the new Azza Storm 6000 case. It's a perfect example of what you are thinking. It's one of the single most silent cases possible. Looks cool too. Only it really isn't. It's hotter than an old Pentium 4.
What you really need to think about is sacrifices. Airflow and sound are on opposite ends of the spectrum. If you want fantastic airflow, you'll need large holes in the case to mount fans, which let's sound out whether cpu/gpu or case fan volume. For silence, you need solid walls with no gaps that'll prevent sound escaping the case.
The Define R5 will tell you the same thing. It has modular vents on the top plate. If all 3 are intact, you get maximum sound retention. Take two out to add top fans or a radiator, you negate the purpose of the vent covers, and sound gets out.

And no, you can't go fanless. Not and get any graphical performance, even semi-fanless gpus that don't kick fans on until 65°C or so, will kick fans on sooner due to lack of airflow allowing the gpu to hit higher temps.

jankerson · Nov 10, 2017

Yeah, haven't seen anything that really works completely passive since the old Pent 1 days and before... 486 etc.

No fans at all, not even the PSU had a fan. Just can't get quieter than that. LOL

When you could put the whole PC in a cabinet, the old desks used to have a built in cabinet for the PC.

I kinda miss those days, other than the cost of the machines.

Could be why I like my machines quiet and always have so I always tried to get them as quiet as possible when I built them.

I can't stand fan noise, never could, even my P4 machines were quiet.

sally_91 · Nov 10, 2017

I had one of those desks too.

Say if I were to go through with this cockamany idea.

How much space should I leave starting from the top of the case to the blanketed ceiling to create some kind of breathing room?
More than half a foot? Would 1 foot be overkill?

Do you guys think that an elevated base with a wired panel would make any difference or would it be the same if the
the base was made out of solid wood and sitting on the floor?

rob.salewytsch · Nov 10, 2017

You need a fanless cpu cooler. And i don't know of any gpus that are fanless but you could attach a cpu cooler one if you were handy enough. Or you might have to make your own.

It just seems strange that for silence, you will add a giant cabinet with a blanket over it. Surely aesthetics and sound have to balance

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