Help me get quiet!

T

taylorwilsdon

2[H]4U
Joined
Aug 21, 2006
Messages
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I've got a little wood chipper over here thats supposed to be a HTPC and its driving me nuts. I need to find some way to make it quiet, and fast.

Troublemakers:
Zalman 9500 CPU cooler
Antec 900 Case (already disabled big top fan, everything but CPU fan is set to "low" (but its still loud)
Antec TruePower Trio 550Watt (I think this contributes quite a bit)
Nvidia 8800 card (stock cooling is fairly loud)

I'm fine with getting a new case because obviously the 900 isn't supposed to be a htpc case by any measure. However, I don't really want to replace anything else so suggestions to quiet it down are appreciated.
 
If you're going to replace your case check out the P18X from Antec I believe your 8800 should fit but you aren't going to be able to use the HD Bays near it. Also the PC-101 by Lian-Li comes recommended by SPCR which should fit one but I can't guarantee it.

I suggest cleaning out all your fans, there is a review online which I unfortunately cannot find right now (I'll get back to you if I find it) that shows you how to open up your fan and clean the bearings (It should be as easy as taking off the sticker in the middle and spraying in there or something like that). Since you're using the Antec 900 Case does that mean you're using the Antec TriCool 120 fans or did you replace them?

With your Power Supply you could always do a fan swap, check out SPCR for a list of recommended fans, open up your power supply and swap in a better, quieter one.

With your 8800 you can always run a program like nTune (or I think you can actually do it just by using the drivers) to set your fan to not run at full speed.

Edit: Here is a link of a tutorial on how to clean up those fans.
 
Wow thats quite the list. I really appreciate the suggestions.

I don't think my fans are dirty yet as its only been used for a month or so and its not placed on the ground.

I've disabled the big tricool fan on the top but all of the fans are the original ones from the 900. I'll look into those cases you recommended. Even with all the fans turned down the temps are fine (cpu is 30+/-2 c at any given time) but I don't want to turn them off entirely because I'm trying to keep airflow even.

Since its just htpc stuff I will try the NTUNE thing to underclock the video card and turn the fans down. That ought to help.

I don't think I'm comfortable with power supply modifications, I'm not super handy :p

Thanks again - I'll try everything there and see what happens.
 
My 8800 isnt all that loud im surprised yours is. I am not a fan of Antec PSU's as they always seem to be a little loud for my taste. Try Corsair or Seasonic on your next go around and you will find they are nearly silent. Besides undervolting the Zalman im not sure what else you can do with it. My 9700 runs at 960rpm and I cant hear it at all. I have Antec Tri cools also but I run them on low and undervolt them as well. I am building an Antec 900 setup this weekend and im curious how loud that 200mm top fan is going to be. Your should looks into suspending your hard drives also. Spend some time on SPCR and you will learn a lot about silence.
 
taylorwilsdon said:
I've got a little wood chipper over here thats supposed to be a HTPC and its driving me nuts. I need to find some way to make it quiet, and fast.

Troublemakers:
Zalman 9500 CPU cooler
Antec 900 Case (already disabled big top fan, everything but CPU fan is set to "low" (but its still loud)
Antec TruePower Trio 550Watt (I think this contributes quite a bit)
Nvidia 8800 card (stock cooling is fairly loud)

I'm fine with getting a new case because obviously the 900 isn't supposed to be a htpc case by any measure. However, I don't really want to replace anything else so suggestions to quiet it down are appreciated.
Click to expand...


if you think the stock cooling on an 8800 card is loud then you need to turn your hearing aid down ROFL, the 8800's are very quiet hell the fan at default is only set to 59 percent. You must have super human hearing either that or just a typical case of obsessive compulsive computer noise disorder.
 
Also, if this is a HTPC, why the 8800? I'd went with a passive cooled 8600 or even 8500. The case you're using is not a HTPC case as said, my P180 runs silent.
 
Where every fan mounts in a PC there are drilled or cut metal holes in the case to allow air to flow.
Cut them out so that you are left with just a big hole for the air to flow through.
This will reduce a lot of the noise.
 
Nenu said:
Where every fan mounts in a PC there are drilled or cut metal holes in the case to allow air to flow.
Cut them out so that you are left with just a big hole for the air to flow through.
This will reduce a lot of the noise.
Click to expand...

Bad idea, the more holes you open in your case, the more places where the noise will escape. If anything, it's better to insulate the case as much as possible without trapping too much heat. Use sound absorbers, packing foam should do just fine.
 
Maxtr0sity said:
Bad idea, the more holes you open in your case, the more places where the noise will escape. If anything, it's better to insulate the case as much as possible without trapping too much heat. Use sound absorbers, packing foam should do just fine.
Click to expand...

I have to disagree, most of the noise from my fans is caused by the case restricting the airflow.
They are not fast fans either, they are standard 80mm running at 7V.
Its a lot quieter since I cut the metal out from the case.
my 2p worth :)
 
Nenu said:
I have to disagree, most of the noise from my fans is caused by the case restricting the airflow.
They are not fast fans either, they are standard 80mm running at 7V.
Its a lot quieter since I cut the metal out from the case.
my 2p worth :)
Click to expand...
Your case must have terrible ventilation. Most cases I've worked with has plenty to provide enough air to not suffocate a small 80mm fan. The air movement does not create any noise either unless it's going in excess of 20mph, and no way can your case fan produce something close to that.

All in all, keep the noise in, more holes you leave open, the noiser the surrounding.
 
Maxtr0sity said:
Your case must have terrible ventilation. Most cases I've worked with has plenty to provide enough air to not suffocate a small 80mm fan. The air movement does not create any noise either unless it's going in excess of 20mph, and no way can your case fan produce something close to that.

All in all, keep the noise in, more holes you leave open, the noiser the surrounding.
Click to expand...

For Gods sake man, you dont know jack but you are good at making assumptions.
I've said my piece, it is valid and may be useful.
 
Nenu said:
For Gods sake man, you dont know jack but you are good at making assumptions.
I've said my piece, it is valid and may be useful.
Click to expand...

I agree with you Nenu, I always cut the metal grills out my cases, it does reduce the noise level of the turbulence from fan exhausts.
 
zombiebeat said:
I agree with you Nenu, I always cut the metal grills out my cases, it does reduce the noise level of the turbulence from fan exhausts.
Click to expand...

Agree also. You can also turn the fan down some more becuase there is less resistance and more available air flow.
 
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