Tell me what you think or if you have other suggestions. I'm also currently using 1 120mm fan and 3 80mm fan (part of the problem).
Edit:
Case: Praetorian - (PAC-T01-EK)
Case Fans: 3 Cooler Master 80mm - 2000rpm/24.4 dBA and in the rear I installed a 120mm -80mm case fan adapter so I'm running a 120mm in the rear.
PSU: Thermaltake 700W
CPU HSF: Zalman 9700 40c/60c
GPU HSF: Zalman (came with Gigabyte 7950GT) to lazy to check what model. Cant check temps (just reformated so not running Ntune)
I also having an Antec VGA blower, and I clean my computer pretty often. Its about 6 months old.
We need some details on your rig to give you good advice. Tell us your:
1. Case
2. Case fans
3. PSU
4. CPU HSF
5. GPU HSF
What are your system temps? When was the last time you cleaned the inside of your PC?
Sound dampening material does work, but there are a lot of things that you can do to remove noise before installing noise dampening material.
Noise dampening material definitely helps. I use it in my case and I can notice a considerable difference with it than sans. Try www.frozencpu.com. They have some great noise dampening material.
Noise dampening material definitely helps. I use it in my case and I can notice a considerable difference with it than sans. Try www.frozencpu.com. They have some great noise dampening material.
What kind of stuff are you using on your computer?
I tried the blue grommets in your second link. I couldn't make them work in my Silverstone or Thermaltake chassis. They're for HDD isolation, but ya need darn big screw holes. Someone elsewhere said they might work in an Antec chassis, but I'm not sure.
Dynamat would probably work well. And for all you cheapos, carpet padding is also a good noise insulator, I used some when I installed some speakers in my car a while back and it worked like a charm, plus it was free.
Tell me what you think or if you have other suggestions. I'm also currently using 1 120mm fan and 3 80mm fan (part of the problem).
Edit:
Case: Praetorian - (PAC-T01-EK)
Case Fans: 3 Cooler Master 80mm - 2000rpm/24.4 dBA and in the rear I installed a 120mm -80mm case fan adapter so I'm running a 120mm in the rear.
PSU: Thermaltake 700W
CPU HSF: Zalman 9700 40c/60c
GPU HSF: Zalman (came with Gigabyte 7950GT) to lazy to check what model. Cant check temps (just reformated so not running Ntune)
I also having an Antec VGA blower, and I clean my computer pretty often. Its about 6 months old.
Here's an easy, cheap way to identify the noisy parts on your PC:
- Get an old cardboard tube - like at the end of a paper towel roll.
- Open the side of your case.
- Start the PC.
- Put the tube to your ear and point it at different fans or portions of the PC. This will help you isolate the noisy culprits in your system. If you want to upgrade to some of the quietest 80mm fans then take a look at this article. You can also take a look at the reference/recommended list on that site for quiet PC parts: PSU, Fans, efficient HSFs, etc.
Tell me what you think or if you have other suggestions. I'm also currently using 1 120mm fan and 3 80mm fan (part of the problem).
When you add absorption, damping, etc., one rule of thumb is that the quietening achieved is a function of the mass of absorber. That works fairly well for sealed boxes. Computer cases have plenty of openings for noise to leak out, so it's a good plan to reduce noise at the source. I have some of the 11dB SilenX 8cm fans and they quieted down two of my PCs a bunch. If your mobo has a NB fan, consider a quieter fan or a good passive HS like the Thermalrights. You might also consider a good fan controller to slow them down.
MP/Mugz: Glad you like the idea! It's helped me localize a few noisy fans - bearings starting to go on cheapo fans. Hope it works as well for you as it ahs for me in the past.
Clue: All good points. I haven't tried the SilenX series of fans. Lately I've been really pleased with good ole Yate Loon 120mm fans, D12SL-12. Low RPM, good airflow, quiet, and cheap. You can get them for $5-7 and they will perform as well as the $15-25 fans.
I agree with what Mpilch said. Use bigger fans, and pay extra to get quieter ones if need be. Just make sure they have a high enough CFM. As for HDD's, make sure you've got them screwed down, along with any cages that you can. The easy latches for cages and drives usually don't hold the drives securely and they can rattle a bit. Making sure everything is tight and the case has it's PCI slot covers on and secure can help muffle sound as well. I think a lot of dampening devices do nothing, they might make a noise a bit duller, but it's still present.
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