Silent PC

[calyco]

I just installed the Zalman 7000a and it works great but now I noticed that the psu is the loudest component. I have a crappy case and $100 to spend so I was wondering if you guys have any suggestions for a nice case that already comes with a fairly silent psu (350w). Last any other advice or tips on how I can quiet down my pc? So far I got the 7000a, getting the Zalman vga cooler and a new psu. Any opinions would be appreciated.

 

[BW86]

Antec Sonata

 

[DaveSimmons]

Yep Sonata uses 120mm fans (PSU and exhaust) for quiet but effective cooling. Or if you decide to just get a PSU, I have a Zalman quiet PSU in my music server box and it is wabbit hunting qwiet.

 

[Tullphan]

I agree w/BW86, but I couldn't afford that particular case, so I modded my antec psu w/a panaflo l1a 80mm fan...it's a little quieter. But if you're gonna buy a new case, go with the sonata. If i'm not mistaken it's got a 120mm exhaust & does an excellent job of keeping the "innards" quiet.

 

[Ka0t1x]

If you cant afford a Sonata, they're over $100 with shipping most places, look into an Antec Solution Series case... same basic stuff/layout, just not as fancy.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: Tullphan
I agree w/BW86, but I couldn't afford that particular case, so I modded my antec psu w/a panaflo l1a 80mm fan...it's a little quieter. But if you're gonna buy a new case, go with the sonata. If i'm not mistaken it's got a 120mm exhaust & does an excellent job of keeping the "innards" quiet.

and no risk of electrocution

Yes, the PSU and case exhaust fans are both 120mm, and there is an (empty) front holder for an intake 120mm if it's ever needed (I haven't, with a P4 3.2 GHz, fx 5900 nu, 2 hard drives).

 

[o2brew]

Another case to consider is the Antec 3700AMB. Probably would want to replace the PSU in it though. It has 120mm fans like the Sonata. The LX-6A19 case at Directron.com is nearly identical the the 3700AMB, same basic chassis. It comes w/o a PSU so you could add whatever you wanted there. Seasonic makes some real nice and quiet PSUs. For all the latest stuff I'd take a look at silentpcreview.com, they take their silent computing seriously and could give you some good advice.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Silverstone also makes super-quiet PSUs, with 120mm fans. And SATA connectors.

- M4H

 

[ApacheChief]

I'm getting the Antec Neopower, www.silentpcreview.com

 

[TwYsTeD]

Originally posted by: BW86
Antec Sonata

 

[Nessism]

The key features of the Antec Sonata are:

- Hard Disks are attached using rubber grommets bolted to the bottom of the drive - superior arrangement for reducing seek noise chatter.

- Power supply only uses one fan, which adjusts speed depending on temp.

- Power supply has "fan only" molex which like the PS fan, adjusts speed with temp.

- Rear of case uses a large, slow 120 mm fan.

Good stuff really.

Downsides to Sonata (being picky):

- Gloss black paint not for everyone.

- Metal a little thin for $100 case.

- "Antec" holes punched in side panels.


Overall a very nice case - I receintly bought one

Ed

 

[rliao]

the fan for the zalman vga cooler isn't THAT quiet. Was it called the OP-1? It's not particularly loud, but you'll probably get more and more into silencing your box (read: obsessed) as you start to quiet down your machine. If you can, see if you can passively cool your video card. I hear the arctic cooling vga silencers are pretty good too. I haven't tried, so unfortunately, i can't give you a comparison.

check out www.silentpcreview.com