I cant stand the noise! How do you silence this computer?

[Kamui]

Hi all,

I am running a P4 1.8A Ghz overclocked at 2.4 on a Abit TH7-II. I am looking for ways to lower the noise of my computer cuz it is driving me nuts. It is so bad that I rather use my HP laptop over my triple LCD display monitor on this computer.

For the CPU, I am planning to replace the current AVC sunflower for the Zalman CNPS7000A-Cu. It seems that the Zalman provides adequate cooling at reasonable sound levels.

For the video cards, I currently have 2 video cards in my system. I run the Matrox Parhelia 128MB on the AGP slot and a Xtasy Radeon 9100 64mb on a PCI slot. I am looking for good PASSIVE cooling alternatives for these two cards. I dont plan to overclock either of them, but I dont want them to burn out either. I looked around the web and it seems that there are very few vga coolers for the Parhelia card. The Zalman ZM80C-HP seems to be compatible with the Parhelia card, but I dont plan to put the cooler on top. I am hoping that my case side fan will provide enough ventilation for the cards. The radeon card will be using a Zalman ZM-17CU.

For the case, I turned off the two 80MM fans that came pre-installed with the Chieftec case. Since I am going to use passive cooling, good case ventilation is important. I am planning to add 2 NMB silent 80MM fan. The first one is going to be on the side and the second one is going to be on the rear - next to the CPU.

Do you guys have any further suggestions? I am not planning to change the PSU nor the HD. Also, has anybody tried using the Zalman heat sink and video cooler together? I am wondering if there is enough space for the two.

Thanks,
Kamui

 

[hmsrolst]

Hi, I think you'd get more responses if you re-post this in the Cases and Cooling fourm.

 

[Kamui]

hmm, ok. I will give that a try.

 

[NokiaDude]

Originally posted by: Kamui
hmm, ok. I will give that a try.

No computer can be louded than one with a Dragon Orb 3. That'll drive you crazy after a week!

 

[heartsurgeon]

why overclock? cut the speed and reduce the heat. diff between 1.8 and 2.4 minimal in reality (except for hard core gaming), less cooling needed

 

[fireontheway]

Originally posted by: NokiaDude

Originally posted by: Kamui
hmm, ok. I will give that a try.

No computer can be louded than one with a Dragon Orb 3. That'll drive you crazy after a week!

no kidding, i paid like $40 bucks for that 2 yrs ago used it for 2 weeks and ended up as a high $ value paper wieght lol

 

[InlineFive]

I'm gonna beat Ralf Hutter and tell you to go to SilentPCReview. Best place for this kind of question, they really helped me turn my screamer into a barely audible power house.

SilentPCReview Homepage
SilentPCReview Forums

Have fun!

-Por

 

[mastertech01]

Is the Parhelia that loud? I had one for some time and noticed little or no noise from it with its recessed into the heatsink fan design. You may want to unscrew the retaining screws and pull the fan out and see if it is loaded with dust.

 

[Tango57]

You might want to also try the 80 mm Pabst fans. They're superquiet and run at only 12 dB. You can also use Magic Fleece sound dampening material you can apply within the casing but you'll have to monitor your interior casing temperatures just in case it gets too hot inside. Your power supply might also be a source of noise. www.pcpowerandcooling.com sells ultra quiet power supplies and also have a good selection of silent fans.

 

[screw3d]

Don't put the side-panel fan. That hole is just going to let more noise out.

 

[sandorski]

Before replacing the vidcard fans, replace the cpu fan and see what difference it makes. Also check you power supply noise and case fan noise. Most vidcards produce little to no noise in my experience.

 

[mooojojojo]

Strange no one asked so far - what HDD are you using? I understand you don't plan on chaning it, but there are some really noisy ones, and it won't do too much good swapping the fans if the drive is still there pumping dB-s.

 

[jmagg]

That sunflower is a noisy sob.

 

[InlineFive]

I have the same case as you have, let me tell you what I did...

1. Installed two Cooler Master 80mm Blue LED Fans which I am controlling with SpeedFan. Very useful utility, now they are barely audible.
2. Used Swiftech MCX462-V (massive heatsink) with a Panaflo M1A. The Panaflo is temp controlled also to lower the air "whoosh" noise.
3. Bought a Fortron FSP350-60N Aurora (did I get the model right?) because it is very quiet and it has the potential for lots of airflow if need be.
4. Bought a Maxtor DiamondMax 9+ on sale because they have very little motor whine. I used AMSET to lower the seek noise to "Fast" so there's not as much clicking during seeks.
5. Used rubber gromits on HDD and DVD+RW to dampen vibrations in the case.
6. Only use case fans in the back of the case. This cuts down on noise and then the airflow can be more natural instead of being "contorted" by fans blowing air in the front.

Things to do:
1. Wait for a Radeon 9600 Pro compatible Arctic Silver VGA Silencer to be released. :|

In your case I would consider a hard drive with less whine, get a processor heatsink that supports at least an 80mm fan, get two (smaller) Zalman GPU Coolers for your video cards and basically use all Panaflo Quiet Fans.

Have fun!

-Por

EDIT: I see that I already replied to this thread. I just got up from bed...

 

[mcoonsy]

Hi,
I can't help you on the noise other than look at a lian-li quiet case.
I do have a question though, can you run both video cards on the same application (say a game)?
Thanks!

 

[buleyb]

Start with the Zalman 7000ALCU HSF, they're great...

I also suggest the Fortron FSP3xx-60N series of PSU, they are superb for noise, and still high quality.

Don't change everything at once, go slowly, so you can narrow down the components that are loud. No need on replacing things that you will decide in the future are actually reasonable for your usage.

 

[Kamui]

Hi guys,

Thanks for all the replied. I hear you all. I have a question about fan positioning in this chieftec case. I have two rear holes and a side hole for the fans. It seems that a lot of you are advocating putting the intake and outtake fans on the rear and dont do anything to the side fan.

Why is that better? I thought that a side fan would be better because it at least cool down the video cards.

Kamui

 

[InlineFive]

Because side and front fans blowing in can cause positive pressure in the case which would raise temps. That's why it's only good to have exhaust fans (and filter the intakes) so you have negative case pressure.

-Por

 

[Kamui]

PorBleemo,

Thanks for the reply.

The way I see this, I am going to have:

- 2 fans in the PSU (1 92mm that sucks the air in and 1 80mm that that sucks the air out)
- 1 Zalman Heatsink
- 2 80mm silent case fans

It sounds to me that the best way to prevent negative or positive pressure is to have one rear fan blow in and the other blow out. Or is it better to have both blow in?

Kamui

 

[brinstar117]

I have the same motherboard, but I'm running a Pentium 4 1.6a on it.

My main rig is very quiet, I'm using a Seasonic PS (uses a 120mm fan, extremely quiet - can only hear it if I put my ear up to it), an Alpha HSF with a nearly silent Panaflo fan for the CPU, and on my Radeon 9700 Pro I have a passive Zalman double sided HS w/ a heatpipe (I forgot the model name).

The most audible part of my computer now are its hard drives. Which I am planning on replacing in the future.

To quiet my other computers, I have undervolted their fans, which does make a considerable difference. Just ensure that your parts receive enough airflow.

Undervolting guide

 

[Chang10is]

The NMB 80mm fans are an excellent choice. I've several in the past and think they were a good value. I'm not sure how much noise your current heatsink + fan combo makes, but you probably want to verify that it is a significant contributor to noise before you spend $50+ on the Zalman CNPS7000A-Cu. You don't want to buy that only to find out later that your power supply is responsible for most of the noise you hear and that there isn't much of a difference with the new heatsink and fan.

 

[0roo0roo]

get a fan speed controller. i dunno how quiet nmb's are, but other "silent" fans i've used are never really silent. they can be at slightly lower speed. hd noise will dominate unless it has fluid bearings. psu noise.. well hopefully its a very good psu...

 

[Kamui]

I wished I could have followed your advice buleyb

It is my habit to want it all NOW at this instant...and I sent the order right after posting here.

In the order, I included the following:

- 2 NMB silent 80MM fan for the case (I am currently planning to add one on the side, and one on the rear. Both will be blowing in air
- 1 filter (I really should be getting another one)
- 1 Zalman ZM80C-HP - apparently, this is the only one that supports the Matrox Card
- 1 Zalman ZM50-HP - for the radeon 9100
- 1 Sunbeam fan controller
- 1 Zalman CNPS7000A-Cu for the heat sink
- 1 Tube of Silver 5


I am really regretting now cuz I ordered it from Xoxide.com...and man, these people have really good prices but they have HORRIBLE service. I tried calling and emailing them several times already and I have been coldly ignored. I know I wont be doing more business with these guys.

Kamui

 

[Kamui]

I did some further research on this issue

It seems that the best fan setup will be to place both 80mm silent fans on the rear of the case. This will negative pressure and possibly more dust. That is why i should be taping some air-con filter to the front of the case to trap dirty.

Btw, what should I do with my side fan hole? should I put a filter there? Or should I try to seal with ... something?

Kamui

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: Kamui
I did some further research on this issue

It seems that the best fan setup will be to place both 80mm silent fans on the rear of the case. This will negative pressure and possibly more dust. That is why i should be taping some air-con filter to the front of the case to trap dirty.

Btw, what should I do with my side fan hole? should I put a filter there? Or should I try to seal with ... something?

Kamui

If you are not using it, just seal it.