Noisy New System - HELP!

[Aeradin]

Hey guys, I just built a new "Doom 3 Ready" system with all of the following:

Athlon 64 FX-53 (Stock HSF)
Abit AV8
eVGA GeForce 6800GT
Audigy 2
Antec TruePower 480
Cooler Master Praetorian Case
1G Crucial PC3200
2x120gb Seagate SATA drives
Samsung 16x DVD Drive
NEC 8x DVD+/-RW
Mitsumi 3.5" Floppy Drive

So far, the system is running great, and I haven't had any real problems with it. Except one... It's damn noisy!

Does anyone have any suggestions on what I could do to bring the general noise level down? Here are some of the things I've been thinking of trying:
1. I was considering finding replacement fans for the 4 80mm case fans that come in the Praetorian. I'm not sure if these guys are the primary source of all the noise, but I think they are. Are there any better ones out there?
2. Is there a good replacement HSF for the Athlon 64 FX-53? I don't think this is what's making all the noise, but I'm willing to consider it.
3. Should I just give up on the Praetorian, and try to find a quieter case? I really like the Praetorian so far... It's rock solid, and easy to service.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Aeradin

 

[pirred908]

First you need to pinpoint which fans are making the unbearable noise. You don't want to change more than you have to. If its the 80mm case fans, than thermaltake makes some real quiet ones. Any company will do, just keep the decibels below or close to 25. Look on the manuals for you compnents and see the RPM's they operate at.

 

[mechBgon]

Here are some suggestions:

1) Find out whether the case-ventilation fans are the cause of the noise by... *drum roll* ...unplugging them and seeing if the noise level drops a lot. If so, consider some Panaflo L1A's and possibly 7-volting the L1A's to further reduce their noise level.

2) Cut out any stamped metal grillework that the case fans are pushing/pulling air through, and use chromed wire grilles instead. This increases airflow and reduces turbulence no matter what fans you've picked. The rear exhaust holes on my Lian-Li are a good illustration: angle shot

3) I got a Alpha PAL8150 that I like fairly well, and it would go well with a Panaflo L1A 80mm fan on it.

 

[BMW330ci]

Is your eVGA GeForcve 6800 GT causing loud noise?

Originally posted by: Aeradin
Hey guys, I just built a new "Doom 3 Ready" system with all of the following:

Athlon 64 FX-53 (Stock HSF)
Abit AV8
eVGA GeForce 6800GT
Audigy 2
Antec TruePower 480
Cooler Master Praetorian Case
1G Crucial PC3200
2x120gb Seagate SATA drives
Samsung 16x DVD Drive
NEC 8x DVD+/-RW
Mitsumi 3.5" Floppy Drive

So far, the system is running great, and I haven't had any real problems with it. Except one... It's damn noisy!

Does anyone have any suggestions on what I could do to bring the general noise level down? Here are some of the things I've been thinking of trying:
1. I was considering finding replacement fans for the 4 80mm case fans that come in the Praetorian. I'm not sure if these guys are the primary source of all the noise, but I think they are. Are there any better ones out there?
2. Is there a good replacement HSF for the Athlon 64 FX-53? I don't think this is what's making all the noise, but I'm willing to consider it.
3. Should I just give up on the Praetorian, and try to find a quieter case? I really like the Praetorian so far... It's rock solid, and easy to service.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Aeradin

 

[Aeradin]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I think I knew I didn't really do enough homework before posting this. I was just hoping someone would be able to say, "Oh, you got a Praetorian. Do this."

I hadn't thought of changing the grillwork out. I know it's chromed grills on the back, but the front and top fans definitely pull through stamped out grills. I'll have to check that out.

I'm going to actually pinpoint the biggest noise sources. I...think it's the rear case fan, but I can't really be sure. I'll even try running without some of them...briefly. Once I've done that, I'll check back in with everyone.

Aeradin

 

[Operandi]

I second what mechBgon said, it's most likely the case fans or the AMD HS/F. I'd replace the stock cooler with a Alpha or Thermalright with a good 80mm fan like a Panaflow. The stock coolermaster fans should prolly go too, again Panaflow is a good choice.

 

[xbassman]

I have a similar case also. Mech is right on. You find that if you do as he recommended that you don't need high CFM fans to cool it. Actually your power supply can control 3 fans ( it undervolts them unless it reads high temps.)

When I got my case the case fans were installed with little plastic pushpins and nothing between the aluminum and the fan housing. A little foam tape and fan screws solved the buzzing noise they made.