Dynamat Opinions

[cmaMath13]

Hello,

I was looking through a past edition of Maximum PC and I saw this stuff called "Dynamat" that makes you case 9dba quieter. Looks like it was originally designed for cars and do NOT add heat to your case (provided you don't install over vents).

http://www.dynamat.com/

Does anyone use this? What are you thought and/or opinions of the material?

Thanks.

 

[sohcrates]

I've used it in car audio installs...it's basically very dense and sticky, so you can attach it to any panels that might vibrate too much (usually due to bass)

I *suppose* you could line your case with it...i'm sure it definitely would keep some noise inside (and probably won't affect your temps)...but it's pretty expensive stuff

 

[andyg427]

I have no experience using it but it seems to me that most of the sound is coming out of the fans and vents that you can't cover up anyway

 

[beatle]

I tried a generic version of this on my case. It didn't really help, just made the case heavier.

 

[cmaMath13]

I guess mine concern is that I fell my case is pretty "solid", in terms of construction and therefore not a lot of "rattling". The only real noise I get seems like it comes from the fans themselves. Does this stuff just dampen the rattling or does it absorb any noise in case?

 

[HouRman]

Hello, I used 4 square feet of Dynamat Extreme to line the internals of my case. I have no finished installing dynamat in the side panels though since I'll need another 4 square feet to finish the job.

By using an analong Sound level meter #33-2050, I concluded Dynamat should be a last resort to quieting a case. The sound no longer radiates from case panels or racks so it did help to a small audible difference. I'm thinking about finishing the job but I don't think it will be worth it in the end. $80 for Dynamat Extreme for 1 medium case... Give me a break!

Some Interesting Notes:

I had to take measurements close to the computer because the SPL meter only goes down to 50db and I could not get a reading if the meter wasn't within like 1 foot of the case.
With the Case Panel OFF and the SPL meter aimed 3 inches from the case on the left side:

My case at Idle with lowest possible sound is 57.5 db
A golden Orb at full rpm added 1.5 decibels making it 59 db
A 120mm intake fan full rpm (instead of lowest rpm) added 6 db making the total 65 db.
Adding the case panel back on the case, lowered the sound level down to 62

Dynamat Extreme KS-282

 

[cmaMath13]

Yeah, that is another important factor: PRICE. I think you are correct, $80 is a bit much. Thanks for the input.

 

[ModelM]

I covered the inside of the doors of my case with dynamat. I noticed no noticeable decrease in the sound.

 

[Grendel99]

Maybe if you used something like acoustical foam or something to trap the sound in your case it might help. But this has been discussed to death before. Do a search and look around on the web. Check out Virtual-Hideout for a bunch of case modding stuff.

 

[Woody419]

I made 8 sq. ft of sound insulation for $13 and 1 hour of my time and I think it works better than anything else on the market. Absolutely no noise comes out of the case except the low hum of the PC P&C 80mm fans.
Here are some instructions.

 

[jasonja]

Don't waste $80 on Dynamat... go to Lowes and get a roll of "Peel and Seal" in the roofing department. It comes in a roll of 25 feet by 6 inches and costs about $12. It's adhesive backed 40mil rubberized asphalt with an aluminum facing. Looks just like Dynamat Extreme and is very thick and dense.

 

[cmaMath13]

Hey, thanks for the tip. Have you tried it? Will it add to temp of case?

 

[jasonja]

I just installed some Peel and Seal today... works pretty good, doesn't silence the PC, but it does stop and case vibration you have (I had plenty). It doesn't really help loud case fans since those aren't covered or blocked. My case now "thouds" if you hit it, instead of "clang" so it doesn't vibrate any more at the connecting points. Basically the only thing I can hear on my case is the Power Supply fan (which is pretty damn loud)... I can't hear the Sunflower (HSF) or any of the other fans in the PC, but the power supply fan is still loud and clear.


Anything Dynamat would do for your PC, Peel and Seal will do for much less $$$.... I did my whole case and still have enought left over to do another 2 of my cases (and I even put two layers on the side panels). It installs very easily and has no odor. I don't see any significant gain in temps... it's pretty warm tonight so it's hard to tell (I'm in FL). It's probably worth the $12 you'll spend for it... it's the _same_ stuff as Dynamat without the pretty logo and high price. Here is link for .Peel & Seal. You can even call them for a free sample, I don't know how much they would send you but since it's a roofing product, they may send you a significant amount, which might be all you need for your case.

Search the Deja.com forums for this stuff, people use it in their cars instead of Dynamat all the time

 

[cmaMath13]

Thanks for the information. I appreciate you taking time to share!

I will look into it.

 

[DivideBYZero]

I have just put Akasa Pax.Mate into my system.

Went from having to raise your voice to speak when around it to just the whoosh of air, and normal voice levels again! It's no where near a 'Silent' system, but I am pleased.

Not very scentific, but at £10 or about $15 I would say it was more than worth it.

Looks cool too, black with the akasa logo and webby (sad, I know)

 

[lamga]

Frankly, I think any soundproofing material should be considered LAST RESORT. And, like putting a pillow over your head, it seems to work better for lower, ambient noise (e.g., light rain, or a low speed fan) than sharp, loud noises (faucet dripping, or a Delta 53CFM fan). Anyway, there really isn't such a thing as soundproofing material.

You have the heavy, asphalt or tar based products such as Dynamat and Brown Bread that remove vibrational noise.

Then you have the insulation foam like products, such as Sonex and PaxMate that removes ambient noise. These would, in theory, work better in dealing with fan noise.

I personally use 2'x1'x1/2" pieces of high density closed cell black foam (sort of like packaging foam). It sort of works. A little bit. I don't feel so bad though, since it only cost $4 CAN including tax.

I think Woody also mentioned in an earlier thread that these materials are better suited to wiping out the final dregs of sound out of an already quiet system with quiet HDDs, fans, PSU, etc. rather than magically mute all your noisy gear.

 

[FlowerMan]

Hard Forum link to Sound dampening thread

IMO, no sound dampener is a miracle worker, but it will help once you have tried everything else (rubber-grommet mounting fans, bay bus to reduce RPMs, remove obstructions in airflow, etc...).

 

[ElusivePeon]

Dynamat is great for adding weight to your case (from experience).

 

[adamfelker]

Dynamat seems so expensive that you'd probably be better off spending your $$$ on quieter/more efficient fans. As someone else said, it would be a last resort.

 

[jasonja]

In my quest to make the PC "shut the hell up" I added the Peel and Seal... decent results but not the fix all solution. Last night I added a Rheostat to my Sparkle power supply's fan. Now I have a neato little dial on the power supply to control the fan speed, just like Enermax PS. Next I'll tackle the HSF.... soon my quest will be complete.