Silence of the CPU

[Oedipus Rex]

I love listening to music on my PC, especially now that there are services like spotify, but I have had a lot of trouble with the annoying hum of the CPU fan. First I thought about getting a water cooling system to replace the fan, but that is a) not very cheap b) the installation did not seem very simple. So, I came up with a DIY solution that includes a cabin and a that kind of cheap camping matress that you can get for 20€. Here are few pics of my system:
Before:

The tweak:

after:

I have a few holes in the cabin for air, both at the bottom and at the upper back. It still might get a bit hot in there, but it is definitely more quiet.

 

[iriverdude]

Doesn't seem a great idea, looks like the computer will bake in the cabinet. Why not just replace CPU cooler?

 

[Oedipus Rex]

Quote:

Originally Posted by iriverdude /img/forum/go_quote.gif Doesn't seem a great idea, looks like the computer will bake in the cabinet. Why not just replace CPU cooler?

The CPU cooler is not particularly noisy, so replacing it with something else than a water cooling system would not really help (unless you know of some ingenious solution?) Also, the noise is not only due to CPU but also the chassis fan and to some extent the graphic card. As I said, there are holes in the cabines to allow for ventilation, and actually I have had the computer in the cabinet for a year or so already, just without the matress. Ill be monitoring the heat for the next few days to see if it starts to overheat.

 

[iriverdude]

So reduce the case fan speed. You don't need to go water to get a quiet PC, if it's a stock cooler they're quite loud, and if it's a full RPM it'll be even louder. If it runs cool at lower CPU fan speed, reduce it.

 

[DanielCox]

Then replace the CPU cooler, chassis fan and graphics card cooler?

 

[Oedipus Rex]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanielCox /img/forum/go_quote.gif Then replace the CPU cooler, chassis fan and graphics card cooler?

The "stuff it in the cabinet with a matress" solution is a lot easier

 

[Oedipus Rex]

Quote:

Originally Posted by iriverdude /img/forum/go_quote.gif So reduce the case fan speed. You don't need to go water to get a quiet PC, if it's a stock cooler they're quite loud, and if it's a full RPM it'll be even louder. If it runs cool at lower CPU fan speed, reduce it.

Hmm, where can I set that?

 

[iriverdude]

BIOS or use speedfan. Keep speedfan running to monitor temp

 

[leeperry]

better have 10 slow fans than 2 fast ones.

your HDD will bake in that cupboard..

it's all about directing air the most optimal way, using big fans(25/20/14cm) at slow speed.

 

[Zorander]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanielCox /img/forum/go_quote.gif Then replace the CPU cooler, chassis fan and graphics card cooler?

x2. Better to eliminate the noise source than try hiding them. Plus your components will live longer.

 

[anetode]

Reducing chassis vibration will do wonders for loud fans. Try decoupling the fan by using rubber grommets on the fan mounts.

 

[b0dhi]

You can get some very quiet low RPM CPU fans, as well as GPU fans if needed. Also you can replace your power supply with a low noise one, I recommend the Corsair HX450. That should leave you computer almost completely silent and not overheating due to mattress over it.

 

[AtomikPi]

If you want to use sound insulation, you're best off using insulation designed for computer quieting inside of the actual case so you don't harm airflow (or harm it minimally). Also, new, cheap, and quiet low noise fans for your case, CPU, and GPU plus a low noise power supply will help.

 

[moonboy403]

Some years ago, I built my own silent PC, so here are some tips to the OP:

1) If possible, use only quiet 120mm fan that has decent airflow such as this one.
2) Same goes for PSU...find yourself one that uses a 120mm fan or you can go passive.
3) Buy an aftermarket heatsink for your CPU that's able to seat a 120mm fan.
4) Use integrated graphics card instead of dedicated one if you don't game. If you don't have integrated graphics card, then get a passive graphics card.
5) Buy laptop hard drives since they produce very very little noise(borderline inaudible even in close range) in contrast to desktop ones.
6) Lastly, if you don't find your computer quiet enough, you can always under-volt all the fans which is very simple. All fans run at 12v if unmodded, you can first try the 7v mod and if that's still not quiet enough for you, then you can go for the 5v mod.

If you follow these directions, your computer should not have any noise audible even within 2 feet of the case.

Note that you shouldn't be overclocking your computer under these conditions and modern processors are all cool enough that you shouldn't encounter any problems even if you go for the 5v mod provided that your case is decently designed for proper airflow.

 

[iriverdude]

Quote:

5) Buy laptop hard drives since they produce very very little noise(borderline inaudible even in close range) in contrast to desktop ones.

The quietest 3.5" drives are now quiet enough, 5400 rpm models so less noise and virtually no seek noise. I have a couple of 3.5" drives that are quieter than some loud 2.5" drives