Isn't there a decently quiet case out there? (I go

[Guest]

Hi. I just bought the Antec SX630 performance series case because I thought it would be high quality and fairly quiet.

It is built well and has nice features, but it is just as loud and the cheap In-Win case it replaced (needed a 300w PS). I though it was going to be fairly quiet because of its quality and so called "Smart Power" PS.

Just curious if I made a bad choice. Would a decent Enlight or Aopen case have been a better choice? Or a Fong Kai?

Plus this case is a lot bigger and heavier than I would have liked. How can Antec even call it a Mini-Tower when it is significantly bigger than most Mid-Towers

Keep in mind I didn't want to spend over $100 like on one of those "Quiet PC" solutions. I actually got a good deal on my Antec for only $65 which is way less than retail and a reasonable price for 300w cases.

 

[Arrow]

Why not just switch the power supply for an Enermax Whisper?

Rob
Please visit <b><A HREF="http://www.ncix.com/canada/index.cfm?affiliateid=319048" target="_new">http://www.ncix.com/canada/index.cfm?affiliateid=319048</A></b>

 

[Guest]

Update-

I disconnected the Antec 80mm case fan from power to test if that was creating most of the noise and it was!

Basically my Antec 300w PS is fairly quiet, but the 80mm fan that came with my case is pretty loud. This means I'll be looking for a quiet case fan to replace it. I'm surpised Antec doesn't make quiet case fans.

For now I will just leave it unplugged since I'm not overclocking and I don't have much in there anyway. Everything remains the same temp. I'm about to see if my PS fan is running faster in the BIOS too.

Now I'm happily playing Civ3 when I should be studying!

zpyrd, do you think I should have pony'd up more cash for the SX635? It's probably not any quieter anyway right?

Also, where can I get those dust covers?

Thanks for your help.

 

[Guest]

Turns out I spoke too soon. Well the first time I took measurements was only about 5 minutes after booting up in the morning:

System temp. 27 C
CPU temp. 39 C
CPU fan speed 0 rpm
System fan speed 4500 rpm

Then I disconnected the extra fan and after posting on the BBS and checking email I read again:

System temp. 34 C
CPU temp. 44 C
CPU fan speed 0 rpm
System fan speed 4687 rpm

So as you can see my hardware is noticeably warmer, although I still think I'm well within tolerances.

It was so nice playing Civ3 in near absolute quiet though! So should I just bear the noise and hook the fan back up?

Duron 1GHz/ECS 266a/Crucial 256/Maxtor 40GB 7200/Antec 630/Viper V770/Live 5.1/Actiontec 56K

 

[Flyboy]

System temp. 34 C
CPU temp. 44 C
CPU fan speed 0 rpm
System fan speed 4687 rpm

Ummm....why is your CPU fan speed read 0???

 

[Guest]

My Volcano 6cu fan doesn't have a speed connector. I can only assume it is running at about 4550 rpm. Should have mentioned that sorry.

Do you think my 31 db fan is louder than my Antec 303XP power supply?

Duron 1GHz/ECS 266a/Crucial 256/Maxtor 40GB 7200/Antec 630/Viper V770/Live 5.1/Actiontec 56K

 

[Toejam31]

Pick up some <A HREF="http://2cooltek.safeshopper.com/25/cat25.htm?278" target="_new">Panaflo</A> case fans, John. They are exceptionally quiet. You can also purchase different kinds of <A HREF="http://2cooltek.safeshopper.com/42/cat42.htm?278" target="_new">filters</A> at this site. I recommend the aluminum filters ... they'll last forever. This is a good online store, with fast shipping.

Antec PSU's are not of the highest quality, despite the amount of them that are sold ... and mostly to OEM's because they are very cheap when purchased in bulk. They aren't especially quiet, either. An <A HREF="http://www.inflowdirect.com/en43whisatxp.html" target="_new">Enermax Whisper</A> (as Arrow mentioned) would be a better solution, for power, cooling, and a lower noise level.

They are more expensive, but sometimes you must pay a little more for a higher quality component.

You could also look into soundproofing the can with a product like <A HREF="http://www.dynamat.com/computer.htm" target="_new">Dynamat</A>.

Toejam31

<font color=red>My Rig:</font color=red> <A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=6847" target="_new"><font color=green>Toejam31's Tantalizing Tantric Toy</font color=green></A>
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