Advice on silent (quiet) power supplies

Bacon?

Bacon?

Bacon?

Soldato
Joined
21 Apr 2012
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Bristol
Hey guys hoping for some advice :)

Currently I'm running an EVGA SuperNova NEX 650G (not sure which variant, the one with the handle) in a Fractal Define C. I'm working on making my build as quiet as possible and I've come to the conclusion that currently its the PSU and the HDD's that produce the majority of the noise at low - mid workload.

I've been trying to save money on the build for future upgrades but wondering if its worth getting a new one and attempting to sell the old.

I've eyed up this one in particular (as its one sale :D )
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/seas...num-modular-power-supply-white-ca-056-ss.html

However is it worth it, and are there any other cheaper offerings. I've not been keeping up with what other companies like BeQuiet, Corsair, Antec etc are offering in terms of noise and effeciency.

Should note by the way the PSU has to be installed drawing air from the bottom of the case (through a filter)
 
The noise from the drives is the actual drive spinning rather than any vibration, so unsure if bungee cording them inside would make much difference. Regarding fanless PSU's arent they restricted to systems with good airflow and a low power outage? Sounds like im after something like the Corsair RM series in that case, have Corsair improved on their OEM though? Last time I looked they still used CWT and I'd rather something with better quality components.
 
2x 2TB ones, either WD or Seagate cant remember. Run at 7200RPM had them for a while now they're reasonably old. Plus a 1tb SSD. I do a lot of video production and stuff so need the space. Moving to only SSD isnt financially viable atm
 
I'm looking at around £150 for a 4TB drive which is a lot (IMO), why would this drastically help vs just the 2 drives? The reason I currently run 2 drives as well is I use the 2nd in RAID to backup all the files on the first

Edit:
Also going back to the original part of a new power supply, these 3 are pretty similar priced (all on sale at the moment)

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/seas...num-modular-power-supply-white-ca-056-ss.html

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/be-q...plus-gold-modular-power-supply-ca-128-bq.html

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/supe...us-platinum-power-supply-black-ca-041-sf.html

I'm looking through reviews at the moment but they all seem good, so it's hard to pick out anything not worthy.
 
EsaT said:
It's sheet metal of the case which amplifies any mechanical noises.
Especially if case isn't mass damped with bitumen or something similar.

If it's mostly just high capacity storage with sequential access, then getting 5400 rpm drive would lower lower noise, because faster spinning drive spins with higher energy producing more vibration.
(of course there's variation between individual drives with good 7200rpm one being better than bad 5400rpm drive)

With its discount price Antec HCG Gold is now the cheapest semi-passive cooling PSU.
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/antec-hcg-gold-650w-80-plus-gold-modular-power-supply-ca-24w-an.html

BeQuiet is simply very skimpy with only basic level five year warranty even in the most super expensive models.
Makes me suspicious that they know something from accelerated aging tests.
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I might looking at getting a single 5400 RPM drive in that case, most of the data stored on there is basic documents, films, photos, music & lots of editing stuff. Nothing that should require fast read speed. All my programs are on the SSD including games

area51 said:
Hi ive one of these sat in it's box but plugged it in with tester and it's silent and thats next to me https://www.overclockers.co.uk/seas...-platinum-modular-power-supply-ca-05v-ss.html
I'm using this one but mines 850watt and it is dead silent don't even know running boot up hear fan boost then dies right back so think pc has died! https://www.overclockers.co.uk/seas...-titanium-modular-power-supply-ca-060-ss.html
They also have ECO mode where fan is off till needed

One way to make it quieter is get an SSD like a 1TB MX500 Around £100/£110 for most things and run the others for storage with a Drive bay SATA switcher so they only run when you require them to saves on wear also.
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So with those linked I actually looked at them already but after reading reviews between them and the Snow one, the Snow one has a more aggressive semi passive mode and a better 140mm fan
 
@Plec I'm actually eyeing up the 850W since it's only £4 more than the 750W. My basket is looking like this:

My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £364.48 (includes shipping: £12.60)
​

Initially I was really liking the Snow Silent because of the better semi passive nature, platinum over gold and general looks. However I've just noticed the 750W doesnt come with a 140mm fan (the higher models do) only a 120mm. Whereas the Super Flower does come with a 140mm.

So I'm kinda torn between the Super Flower at £93 and the Antec 850W at £85, or the 650W at £74. I think 650W will easily be enough since I don't plan any multi GPU setups.
 
Plec said:
Yes, that particular Seasonic Snow comes with 120mm fan and, as far as i can tell, uses the same fan used in the FOCUS from description so by default the same as the Antec (@EsaT will correct me if I'm mistaken). Plus, the HCG has semi passive mode too.
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It's the same innards as the Focus IIRC just. But more selectable options on the semi passive mode, and only starts up at 50% load, so should be completely silent unless I'm gaming.

Plec said:
That Superflower - with the 135mm fan - would interest me too if on the quest for silence but the 5 year warranty sticks in the throat a bit.
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I'm not bothered by the warranty length I think 5 years should be fine. I've had my PC for (8?) years now and I've changed PSU's twice. Originally a CM 500W to the current EVGA 650W
 
Pretty much decided on the superflower, judging by the reviews it's too good at that price point to not get :D
Shame there isn't anything on the MM haha
 
JasonM said:
The Seasonic is the better unit and has a MTTF of 150,000 hours, at that price is does not even take any thinking about.

Superflower don't even quote MTTF numbers, at least I can't find them.
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Regarding the seasonic being the better unit every review I come across has the quality of the superflower at extremely high levels with no skimping. I haven't been able to find MTTF numbers either but it seems the later evga supernova models use the leadex gold as the oem
 
After having installed my new PSU (the superflower one) I am amazed by the comparative noise levels. At idle and low power usage settings the only thing I can hear is the low hum or the hdd's and the fans which are running around 400RPM. (im less than a ft from the pc). Was a really good purchase very happy with it :)
 
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