Does choice of radiator affect the noise of a system?

JonJ678

JonJ678

JonJ678

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There are many performance reviews of different radiators, frequently showing there to be little difference between them. However there are rather fewer articles on the acoustic consequences of the choice made. Silent pc doesn't really do watercooling with great enthusiasm, and xtreme tend to ignore noise. I'm unsure where else to look.

I theorise that the low fin density, thicker versions are the quietest.

Low fin density => less turbulence noise as air moved through, and lower static pressure needed to move air through the radiator. I also suspect shrouds and making the joins airtight improve things.

I'm using 1600rpm scythe s-flex at 12V at present, which though not the recommended favourite are reasonable. Fan choice is obviously the main contributor to noise, the hope is that carefully chosen radiators allow lower fan speed with similar performance.

Also interested in any opinions on push-pull fans for noise reduction. Any thoughts?
 
If you have the room (and don't require the a quad + sli all at 100% 24/7) then passive rads are a viable option.

But in essance low fin density rads is the key to using quiet low airflow fans.
I beleive shrouds make more of a differance with high fin density / high speed fans

baffels and ducts can be used so a single fan an cool all parts of a case with inc efficency
 
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Good website, sadly not so keen on acoustic testing.

It confirms that shrouds are [probably always] good, and that pull tends to give better results with low fan rpm. Push-pull fans are recommended where they can be fitted.

Low pressure drop refers to water pressure, fin density correlates with air pressure drop? This suggests thermochill or feser I believe

Baffle/duct use is a good point and hadn't occurred to me. That's going to take some imagination but I may come up with something.

I take it passive radiators generally need to be rather large, self built objects? Personally I'd rather keep the system self contained for now but definitely see your point that passive radiators will always be quieter than active ones
 
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Choice of radiator may determine choice of fans which can affect the noise of the system.

If you want a quiet system choose quiet fans first, then the radiator that best suits those fans.

If you want a cool system, choose either a bigger radiator or more powerful fans.
 
JonJ678 said:
I take it passive radiators generally need to be rather large, self built objects? Personally I'd rather keep the system self contained for now but definitely see your point that passive radiators will always be quieter than active ones
Click to expand...

There are a few around - the zalman reserator's most well know.
The cape corra and konnect-o-matic are better but more 'diy'
Both take up as much desk space as a lcd screen, but can be case mounted on a side pannel

All retail systems are currently aluminumin, not ideal if you have copper blocks (unless coated/plated). copper passive rad are still self build

It is possable to run PA and RX rads without fans but they need to be external and horizontally mounted
 
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