Just got a P-182, how can I shut it up?

naknakkus

naknakkus

naknakkus

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The computer is quiet-ish, but there's still a very audible whoosh of air coming from it.

My machine:

AM2 X2 4200 (@2.8ghz) - Noctua 12cm cooler - basically silent, I don't think this is the problem.
Temps are excellent, about 30C idle and rarely above 40C at load.

Powercolour Radeon HD4850 PCS edition. This is rather quiet, though the small fan does create a higher sound that cuts through the other fans.

Akasa greenpower 500w PSU. This might be a culprit. It seems to create quite a lot of noise in the little cage that comes with the case. I'm wondering if it would be worth replacing it with a fanless PSU (I'll find a use for the old one in another machine). The bottom 12cm fan between the PSU and hard drives would generate enough air for that, surely?

Fans:
I didn't plug in the top exhaust fan because I don't think I need it. The back outlet fan is on, and it's a tricool. The bottom fan is on because I want it to take air past my hard drives. I initially had an optional fan in the middle hard drive cage, but it was too noisy, which surprised me because it was a Scythe that is usually rather quiet. Might've been vibration from the cage thing.

I'm considering a fan controller that is a bit more useful than the antec 3 power one. And would it be worth replacing the tricools, if so, what with?

Any recommendations are appreciated. Budget is hopefully under £100, but we know how these things are.

Cheers.
 
Noctuas or Sharkoon fans are the best. They come with rubber fans mounts too.

I would imagine a fan controller would help, just wondering about the fact that the Tri-Cools already have one.

The quietest PSU's are Corsair, Enermax Modu/Pro & Zalman heatpipe cooled units.
 
The Antec fans are still a bit too loud even on low, and I don't think I'll be able to use them with whatever new fans I get (I'll check out the Sharkoons and Noctuas).

Thanks for the PSU recommendations. I'll go hunting for reviews.
 
I ditched the Tri-cools pretty quickly. I did a quick search and found fans that had nearly the same CFM as the Tri-cools on high, but were quieter than when on low.
 
in my p180 i use akkasa amber fans 5 of them to cool. the rear two controlled by one controller the wind tunnel on full and the one one for psua nd bottom harddrive cage on full. very silent
 
Get yourself some Yate Loons and 7v mod them. My P182 is silent with exception of my Freezer Pro 7 and 8800GT (on boot).

7 volt mod is easy. If i can do it with my limited grasp of hand-eye coordination then anyone can. Google for a guide. All you need is a pair of tweezers :)
 
naknakkus said:
The computer is quiet-ish, but there's still a very audible whoosh of air coming from it.
Click to expand...
So probably airflow/turbulence noise.
You could try to locate source of noise by using inner cardboard tube from kitchen paper roll for "point listening".

1200RPM of Tri-cools at low is definitely on edge of quiet's upper limit.
Noctuas are expensive compared to them not being actually superior to Nexus (/Yate Loon) and especially Scythe Slip Stream:
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article695-page4.html#noctua
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article695-page2.html#nexus
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article832-page6.html
 
I get that impression as well. I have a Scythe fan but I'm not sure what kind, I think it's the s-flex. I'll try swapping out one of the tricools with it and see if that makes a difference. I've also got one of the older Noctuas lying around somewhere, but I don't have the low noise adapter that came with it.

I should note that I've got the case on my desk next to me (I know, not the greatest idea when you don't want to hear the PC, but I don't have anywhere else to put it) and there's some vibration, though it isn't too bad.

I've been looking at this PSU (which isn't in stock, unfortunately):
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-014-ZA&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=1102

Looking at PSUs has made me wonder - do I even need a 500w PSU? Does it effect how hot the PSU can get, ie: would a 400 watt PSU be cooler than 500w?

I'll have a look for the nexus/yate loon fans.

Thanks for the responses, everyone.
 
alexhull24 said:
What fans were these if you don't mind me asking?
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Xilence Red Wing 120s. However this was a while back and whilst they do a respectable 44.7cfm @ 20.5 dBA, they are twice the volume of the Noctua NF-S12 1200 which is 48cfm @ only 17dBA.

In short, there are plenty of quieter fans about.
 
alexhull24 said:
That's reflected in the price though. I'm pretty stuck between sharkoons, akasa amber or just saving a bit for the noctuas.
Click to expand...

Akasa ambers arent that great in my experience, ive had one break on me in the past (cracked) and the other was very loud considering they were meant to be near silent.

Sharkoon Silent Eagle 1000 is what i would recommend to anyone looking for a good quiet fan. I have the 2000rpm version which i have attached to a fan controller, allowing to choose if i want incredible airflow or a completely silent pc. I tend to keep mine at about 700rpm but they are pretty quiet at 1000rpm. I also think these fans look the business, the contrast between white/black is great.

As for the noctuas, personally have no experience with them but if you can stomach the price and the looks then why not :o
 
Looks like Noctuas or Sharkoon 2000 + fan controller. Either way i'll start saving a little cash, the GTX280 almost wiped me out!

Thanks
 
EsaT said:
Too high speed, undervolting that to quiet risks voltage being too low to start it.
Click to expand...

No risk at all, Sharkoon 2000rpm works fine with fan control unit, even on minimum. Have these fans attached to dial contol unit within my case. :)
 
Sean_UK said:
No risk at all, Sharkoon 2000rpm works fine with fan control unit, even on minimum. Have these fans attached to dial contol unit within my case. :)
Click to expand...

I have 4 Sharkoon 2000s in my case connected to:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BB-001-ZA

With them turned up, their speed is ~1800rpm (the controller only handles 11V) and turned right down, their speed is ~1000rpm, with them right down the noisest thing in the case is the NB fan.

I Usually run them at 1300rpm, the case is right next to me and it does not bother me, cant hear them when AC/DC is blaring out! :D
 
as i approach the half century i find my Antec P182 is getting quieter - maybe thought im just going deaf..............

:D

akasa amber fans make things a lot better though
 
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