FAN noise is driving me nuts!

[GokuFurinji]

After installing a Thermaltake Volcano 7 HSF on my XP 1900+ and putting the lid back on the case, the noise emmitting from the fan is just TOO LOUD!

Short of changing the damn thing, is there any way/method to reduce the noise from the FAN? I've only been running it for around 4 hours now and it's driving me crazy already!!

 

[Toejam31]

You could probably lower the amount of noise by lining the can with acoustical foam. That might make the sound of the fan bearable, at least.

<A HREF="http://2cooltek.safeshopper.com/44/288.htm?233" target="_new">http://2cooltek.safeshopper.com/44/288.htm?233</A>

(This is one of my favorite online stores, too. Quick shipping, and good reliability.)

Toejam31

<font color=red>My Rig:</font color=red> <A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=6847" target="_new">http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=6847</A>
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<font color=purple>"Procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part."</font color=purple>

 

[dhlucke]

Just in case you decide to get another HSF:

<A HREF="http://www.dansdata.com/coolercomp.htm" target="_new">http://www.dansdata.com/coolercomp.htm</A>

I've got the 6Cu and am fine with it. It's not noisy and it got the same score as the Volcano 7.

<font color=red>God</font color=red> <font color=blue>Bless</font color=blue> <font color=red>America!</font color=red>

 

[Guest]

Yeah my dragon orb 3 is pretty loud too although I've somewaht gotten used to it.. parents might make me get a quieter one though hehe.

 

[svol]

My Alpha PAL6035 with Delta HP 7000 rpm fan also makes a terrible noice, but I got used with it. Just waiting till my watercooling is ready which will replace the HSF.

My case has so many fans that it hovers above the ground .

 

[GokuFurinji]

Hmmm... I wonder!!

What about getting some of that foam, making a square fan shaped liner by sticking it to some cardboard and folding it into a square just bigger than the fan and about 6 inches long and sliding it over just the fan part of the HSF, encasing it in a square foamlined tunnel, while still leaving the heatsink exposed!

Does that sound like a dumb idea? It just sounded better than lining the whole case!!

Also, I'm not using a recommended AMD PSU as the one I ordered, a 400w approved one, was DOA so I had to stick my old 235w one back in. Could that contribute in any way to excessive noise by having more power drawn out of it and making the ambient temp in the case rise thus making the FAN speed up with the increase in temp??

The 235w PSU is powering:

Soltek SL-75DRV2
Athlon XP 1900+
1xVolcano HSF
2xMicron/Crucial 256mb DDR Ram
2x80mm Case Fans
2xIBM 7200 rpm IDE drives
2xPlextor CD Drives
1x3.5 Floppy
1xSB L!ve 5.1
1xSCSI II card
1xASUS Geforce 3 Ti200

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by GokuFurinji on 12/12/01 06:09 AM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[Guest]

You could always do like I'm planning, buy a wooden cupboard just slightly larger then your case, line it with the acoustic foam (fit a few QUIET fans to the cupboard if you want to add ventilation) and get a wireless keyboard and mouse. Then your PC's cooling is uneffected, the cupboard drowns the noise, the wireless periphrals make dealing with the wires a tad bit easier and the only problem is one getting a cupboard thats roughly the right size and two accessing your cd rom and floppy drives, and off course turning it on and off. But by doing that you can fit more cooling then any mortal man could bear...

Your nice new PC might be faster then my 286, but my 286 makes a better door stop

 

[Toejam31]

Well ... to me, that kinda sounds like wrapping a guitar amplifier in soundproofing material instead of soundproofing the studio.

I'm picturing this in my head, and it seems to me that encasing just the heatsink in the acoustical foam might impede the case's ability to exhaust the hot air away from the processor. The heated air still needs to be drawn out of the case by the exhaust fans in the rear of the case for your cooling solution to be effective.

A less powerful PSU <i>can</i> contribute to higher system temperatures. But not because the computer is drawing more more power from it, simply because it is smaller. The fan pitch and noise would only increase if the PSU had variable speed fans that changed speed due to a rise in the system temperature. It would be hotter due to being run closer to the maximum wattage it can supply, with less over-all redundancy.

A 235 watt PSU is probably not powerful enough for that system.

I would recommend a larger, quieter PSU with dual-fans and some kind of thermal control, like a 400 watt Enermax Whisper.

Here is a popular example:

<A HREF="http://www.inflowdirect.com/en43whisatxp.html" target="_new">http://www.inflowdirect.com/en43whisatxp.html</A>

I would still think your best options are either lining the case with the foam, or getting another fan. Or both. Or buying/building a heavier, modified enclosure to lower the noise level.

For example, my case has five fans, not counting the two on the PSU, and I can barely hear it. If I lined it with the acoustical foam, I'd probably have to put my ear up to the side to hear the hard drives spin up. So a well-built enclosure can also make a difference in the noise level ... and it can also contribute to a better air flow, which lowers the system temperature.

Toejam31

<font color=red>My Rig:</font color=red> <A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=6847" target="_new">http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=6847</A>
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<font color=purple>"Procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part."</font color=purple>

 

[GokuFurinji]

I see your point, thanks for the warning!

I'll have to look around where I live (UK) to find some Acoustical Foam suppliers!

As for the PSU, I will be replacing it with the originally ordered 400w AMD approved one, the one that was DOA when I got it! Just got to go the the tedious RMA procedure, returning the dead PSU, then waiting for a new one to arrive!!

As for the case, you don't seem to be using a 'standard' type case do you! I bet that cost a pretty penny (or cent!)

Also, won't the foam absorb and retain the heat in the case and therefore increase the temp inside the case??

 

[Toejam31]

If you want my opinion ... I think the worst PSU I've ever installed in a machine was the 400 watt Antec. It has the highest failure rate of any PSU I've personally ever come across. The 300 watt unit from Antec is actually a better PSU than the larger model, because the efficiency level is higher.

You should check the specifications for the different lines on a PSU when making a choice ... and, unfortunately, that particular Antec is a poor performer. Plus, for an AMD processor, it is highly recommended that you install a dual-fan PSU for extra cooling.

The AMD-approved list is a very general one, and out-of-date. You may notice that your processor is not even listed, and that there is no actual recommendation for many of the new processors.

My preferences in PSU's are PC Power & Cooling, Enermax, and Leadman. For your system, I'd recommend 400 watts or better. But you should still compare the line specifications, regardless of which brand you prefer. Not all PSU's are the same ... not by a long shot.

My case was not actually that expensive, especially when ordered without the PSU.

"Also, won't the foam absorb and retain the heat in the case and therefore increase the temp inside the case??"

No. Acoustical foam, such as Lamamine, for example, is used for air compressors, standby power units, electronic and medical equipment, and automobiles. Im fact, it might even lower the case temperature due to it's thermal resistivity.

There are also other brands of acoustical foam, such as DynaMat and Sonex.

It occurs to me that another option might be sheets of cork.

Toejam31

<font color=red>My Rig:</font color=red> <A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=6847" target="_new">http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=6847</A>
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<font color=purple>"Procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part."</font color=purple>

 

[GokuFurinji]

I never thought upgrading would cause me so much trouble

As for the PSU, the one I ordered was a 400W DEER DR-A400ATX, AMD's PSU list has it and states use Revision 'B'!! I bought it from ebuyer.com as they didn't stock the Enermax (you gonna tell me this one sucks as well aren't you!!)

Oh goody, so the foam won't increase the temp, great! Still trying to locate a supplier in the UK!!

Wonder if mommy will miss her cork dinner mats??

 

[Toejam31]

<font color=green>"I never thought upgrading would cause me so much trouble "</font color=green>

Look at it like it's an adventure! Just minus the sun, the fun, the travel, and the thrills.

<font color=green>"As for the PSU, the one I ordered was a 400W DEER DR-A400ATX, AMD's PSU list has it and states use Revision 'B'!! I bought it from ebuyer.com as they didn't stock the Enermax (you gonna tell me this one sucks as well aren't you!!)"</font color=green>

I don't want to ( I really don't!) ... but, yes. They more than suck. I used a few Deer PSU's last year, the 250 watt. One burned out after two weeks ... another after about 2 1/2 months, and a third after six months. On all three of them, the fan would suddenly speed up, and the PSU would go out with a loud bang, like a firecracker. Unfortunately, it also caused some problems with destroying other components ... in one case, I had to replace a NIC card.

They are cheap, light-weight junk, and normally used as OEM replacements in off-brand white box machines. The same goes for another brand that is similar, called Austin.

Sorry about that ... I wish I could have said something positive for a change!

There are several places in the UK where you can order Enermax PSU's. Here's just a few, for your viewing pleasure:

<A HREF="http://www.elex.co.uk/" target="_new">http://www.elex.co.uk/</A>

<A HREF="http://www.fasteasy.co.uk/products/compon.htm" target="_new">http://www.fasteasy.co.uk/products/compon.htm</A>

<A HREF="http://www.centos.co.uk/" target="_new">http://www.centos.co.uk/</A>

<A HREF="http://www.over-clock.co.uk/acatalog/" target="_new">http://www.over-clock.co.uk/acatalog/</A>

<A HREF="http://www.overclock.co.uk/" target="_new">http://www.overclock.co.uk/</A>

<A HREF="http://www.hitechpc.co.uk/left.htm" target="_new">http://www.hitechpc.co.uk/left.htm</A>

You can find a great deal of things in the UK with this directory:

<A HREF="http://www.ukdirectory.co.uk/" target="_new">http://www.ukdirectory.co.uk/</A>

For acoustical foam:

<A HREF="http://www.ukdirectory.co.uk/search.html?search=Acoustical Foam&dist=&town=&town_choice=&last_town=" target="_new">http://www.ukdirectory.co.uk/search.html?search=Acoustical Foam&dist=&town=&town_choice=&last_town=</A>

<font color=green>"Wonder if mommy will miss her cork dinner mats??"</font color=green>

I wouldn't worry about it unless mommy also has a nice set of sharp butcher knives and a very bad temper! ;-0

See ya ...

Toey

<font color=red>My Rig:</font color=red> <A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=6847" target="_new">http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=6847</A>
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<font color=purple>"Procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part."</font color=purple>

 

[GokuFurinji]

Right!

Mommy said I never listened :frown: I'll ditch the DEER and get an Enermax 300W!

www.centos.co.uk is also <A HREF="http://www.scan.co.uk" target="_new">http://www.scan.co.uk</A> and Centos is the brand of SCSI II card I have, a Centos CI-2520, strange but true! I also buy quite a bit of stuff from SCAN and they happen to sell Enermax PSU's Now there's a coincidence!

If you replace the butcher knives with Mommy's Boxing Gloves she has hanging in the kitchen (I kid you not) and a very bad temper, then yes, I'm freakin worried I really don't want to be on the end of well aimed Left Cross!!

Thanks Toey, the help is much appreciated!!

 

[AmdMELTDOWN]

>I never thought upgrading would cause me so much trouble

save your sanity, cut your loses! go with Intel!



"<b>AMD/VIA!</b>...you are <i>still</i> the weakest link, good bye!"

 

[GokuFurinji]

He! He!

If you want to splash out on expensive int*l stuff, go right ahead!

Money, you are the weakest link, goodbye!

 

[dhlucke]

Picking good components the first time is just as easy with both AMD and INTEL. People keep underestimating the importance of a good powersupply and HSF. Yet if you read any real guide or review they repeat their importance at least 3 times. This has nothing to do with AMD vs INTEL, it has to do with people getting and follwing good advice before building a machine.

<font color=red>God</font color=red> <font color=blue>Bless</font color=blue> <font color=red>America!</font color=red>

 

[Toejam31]

A voice of reason and experience. I concur, in all respects.

Toejam31

<font color=red>My Rig:</font color=red> <A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=6847" target="_new">http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=6847</A>
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<font color=purple>"Procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part."</font color=purple>

 

[somerandomguy]

<A HREF="http://www.quietpc.com" target="_new">QuietPC</A> have some good stuff. I'm building an ultra-quiet PC with some of their stuff.

"Ignorance is bliss, but I tend to get screwed over."

 

[lhgpoobaa]

ditto

my case would still be a poorly designed piece of crap regardless of what lived inside.

its just like the old proverb

crap in = crap out.
crap components = crap quality & reliability

northwoodie by march? yummie

AMD - Anti Monopoly Devices
AMD - At Massive Discounts!

 

[monkeyspank]

What about using old egg boxes? I've seen them in use before in makeshift recording studios. They might not be all that great but they are fairly cheap and you get free eggs with them.

 

[Matisaro]

MOnkey, do you overclock, cause you can use the retail heatsink which is extremely quiet, and it works great if not overclocking.

"The Cash Left In My Pocket,The BEST Benchmark"
No Overclock+stock hsf=GOOD!

 

[monkeyspank]

i overclock. I admit it.

1.3 athlon @ 1.5 (150x10)
thermoengine w/ delta fan is noisy.

I've just been playing with a stanley knife + cut up the box my case came in. It's good triple ply card. I put a layer in each side of my case and it's quitened my rig down quite a lot!
Not bad for a povo!
And it was only 10 minutes work!!

I might go to my local camping shop tomorrow and buy one of those roll sleeping mats. I bet that would work even better and they're only about £10. Very pliable and thin but good noise insulation.

 

[labdog]

hi,

i have an aqua 690 with a taïsol 4800 RPM
and there is no noise but a good cooling
for my overclocked 1.533Go Athlon
with a temp of 45°C-48°C

and it costs just 38$ for 300 g (spec of AMD)



EasyInfo
I would like to Invest for my PC !!
ok, buy nothing.

 

[lhgpoobaa]

get a 80mm fan with a 80mm to 60mm adaptor.
end of delta noise!

- Know thyself
- Seek
- Love
- Cherish Life
- And do not Yield!

 

[MeTaLrOcKeR]

What you guys are NOT understandign is that the Thermaltake Volcanno 7 USES a 80mm Fan already.....

Look <A HREF="http://www.thermaltake.com/datasheets/v7.pdf" target="_new"> <b>here</b></A> and see for yourself......

-MeTaL RoCkEr

<A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?id=13597" target="_new"> <b> My Rig </b> </A>