Fan queitening query

matt_fsr · 30 Mar 2008 at 12:38

I have an Arctic Cooling Silentium case, which has 4 fans, 2 on the PSU and 2 for blowing air out of the case.

In the quest to quieten it, ive just added a Accelero S1 which is superb!!

Trouble is I now think the 4 fans are whats generating most of the noise, and they're not replaceable... or speed adjustable.

Anyone know of anything (as in spray lubricant perhaps?) that could quieten the fan bearings down, or has anyone b0rked a fan doing that - and can advise against?

Cheers!

strelly · 30 Mar 2008 at 12:41

With my unadjustable fans i generally do a 7v mod, it decreases the speed so they are silent, but still shift a good amount of air.

It depends if you want performance or peace and quiet.

matt_fsr · 30 Mar 2008 at 12:44

So how do you do a 7v mod then? Not done one before... not even sure if these fans can, due to where they are.

strelly · 30 Mar 2008 at 13:01

Haha sorry about that, should have linked you sooner!

If your fans have a molex plug then itll work, its just a case of swapping the wires around to put 7v into the fan as apposed to the normal 12v.

http://www.techpowerup.com/printarticle.php?id=137

That guide is a bit over the top, but it tells you what you need to know.

It takes about 1 minute with a small pokey tool!

matt_fsr · 30 Mar 2008 at 14:14

Ta strelly, I thought thats what you were on about..... but its not going to help - none of the fans are molex connected, theyre part of the case - see here:

http://www.arctic-cooling.com/pc_case2.php?idx=4&data=1&disc=

The fans are above the PSU, to blow air down and out of the front of the case... and at the top rear, to blow hot exhaust air out - superb design, just think the fans are getting on a bit.

Any thoughts anyone?

matt_fsr · 31 Mar 2008 at 10:56

Bump.... anyone? Only going to do the chipset fan now, as its the horrible whiny one. Looking for a better one at the moment.... just wondering if anyone has tried anything for fan bearings?

DampCat · 31 Mar 2008 at 13:26

Can you take pictures of the fans for us? Would be easier to give advice knowing what fans we're looking at!

mp260767 · 31 Mar 2008 at 13:45

can't see why they would make it so the fans cant be removed, hopefully not daft enough to think anyone would buy a new case if the fans break

.

as cat said picture of the fans may help.

Chris Beard · 31 Mar 2008 at 14:10

From the looks of things those fans do have a 3pin socket. In this case you can use a fan controller to slow them down.

Fans get noisy as they get older - replacing them (and maybe the case) is probably the best option. Get scythe slip streams for quiet if you do go down this route.

Definatly replace motherboard fan - ergh! Mobo fans are so noisy. Thermalright HR10 is quite cheap these days (check it fits).

I don't think you can oil fans - most have sealed bearings (I think).

bledd · 31 Mar 2008 at 14:20

they must be replaceable mate

sharkoon fans are awesomely quiet

sir-les-mp · 31 Mar 2008 at 14:29

i Use a couple of zalman fanmates to silence my noisey case fans
however you can use a sqirt of WD40 to lubricate the fan bearing as long as it's not one of the sealed units it wont damage the fans at all or any other electrical item
Looking at the pics of the case the rear fans appear to be secured by 4 screws just like any other fan so a little investigating inside should show how to remove them

shadowscotland · 31 Mar 2008 at 15:09

Here an image of the AC site - their three pin fan (with extension cables)
Screw fixed at a guess - might need to remove the PSU to get at them.

1 x Arctic Fan 12 (PSU cooling) - 56 CFM
2 x Arctic Fan 8 (System cooling) - 42 CFM
All fans Fluid Dynamic Bearing, 400,000 hours
Fusion 550(F) Silentium Edition inc 1 x Arctic Fan 12

matt_fsr · 1 Apr 2008 at 10:09

Ta for the replies - shouldnt have really even been thinking of dissing Arctic Cooling.... its not those fans that are causing most of the noise its the horrible chipset fan - looking to get a replacement one at the moment.

Uriel · 1 Apr 2008 at 14:24

Are you sure it's the bearings and not wind noise?

matt_fsr · 2 Apr 2008 at 14:03

TBH I've found that *most* of the noise is actually the northbridge cooler, so due to lack of space caused by the 8800GT + accelero + 2 hdd's + sound card in that ickle case, ive got myself an Akasa AK210 chipset cooler that im going to pop on there tongiht.

There is a small amount of wind noise from the fans, but its a nice gentle low "hum" sound that I'm more than happy to live with - bloody NB fans!!! Next board will have a silent NB cooler.