Need to Silence my PC, advice needed.

Flanders

Flanders

Flanders

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2 Nov 2004
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London, UK
I've put up with a relatively noisy PC for a few months now, and while I've got some cash I'd like to try and make it as quiet as possible. Heres how it is setup at the moment:

Asus P5ND2-SLi
Pentium D 3.0Ghz (with a Zalman CNPS7700)
1Gb Corsair PC5300
XFX GeForce 7800 GT EE (bought a ArticCooler but its not compatible with the EE doh!)
4 x Hard Drives

Thats all packed in a Black Widow with a Tagan EasyCon PSU, fan-wise I've got:

1x SilenX 80mm on the top
2x SilenX 80mm at the front
1x Evercool 80mm at the back.

I really wasnt impressed with the SilenX, they really didnt seem to make any noticable difference to the stock CM ones I had in there. These were bought about 12 months ago.

What are my options to make it quieter than it is at the moment? Obviously after my ball's up with the GFX Card cooler Im on the hunt for another one, suggestions appreciated! Is it possible to get a quiet PC with all those 80mm fans about the place?

If push comes to shove I could probably get a new case, but would this help my situation in any way?

Anyway, any hints and tips would be really appreciated!

:)
 
You can get a case that is very quiet in the 201b.

What model of the fans?

And the hard drives will be making a lot of noise.

The easiest way is to unplug all case fans, and see if its noisey still. If it is we can work from there.
 
Is it possible that some people just have too high a standard for quiet? I recently sold a couple of fans that I thought were very very quiet, but the guy that bought them complained they were LOUD.

I would swear they were quieter than Akasa Ambers, but he said they're LOUD. He actually used capitals. LOUD. 20dBA fans. I just can't get over it.

Sorry - but that isn't helping much. I genuinely think that it is almost impossible to make a silent high performance PC. Quiet, certainly. But silent, no.
 
WJA96 said:
Is it possible that some people just have too high a standard for quiet? I recently sold a couple of fans that I thought were very very quiet, but the guy that bought them complained they were LOUD.

I would swear they were quieter than Akasa Ambers, but he said they're LOUD. He actually used capitals. LOUD. 20dBA fans. I just can't get over it.

Sorry - but that isn't helping much. I genuinely think that it is almost impossible to make a silent high performance PC. Quiet, certainly. But silent, no.
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Im not expecting miricles :) I know silence is nye on impossible with my sort of system, but there is definitely room for improvement.

I'll shut down and have a listen with no fans plugged in.
 
Right, a quick check with the fans off and it is significantly quieter. That was with the 4 case fans off, the only fans on were the GFX cooler, CPU cooler and PSU.

Aside from new fans, is there anything else I can do?
 
Maybe try some gel fan mounts instead of screws.

That may make a difference. But we have identified the cause of most of the noise now.
 
Thanks Yewen :) I've got a feeling the 3 SilenX fans are using Gel mounts. Can you recommend any good fans if I were to replace the ones I currently have?

On a side note, before I started thinking of making the system quieter, I seriously considered the Lian-Li PC V1000-B and Lian-Li PC V1100-B, the main attraction (aside from looks) was the 120mm intake and outtake. I dont suppose you have any experience with either of those cases? If so, how did you find them?
 
I own a v1000+

www.yewen.co.uk under user reviews.

But having owned a 201b / 201 / 110 / pc60 etc. the V1000+ is built on a par with the rest, and with my reserator bar playing games the system is nigh on silent.

The v1000's are VERY good cases, but you cant beat the 201b's looks in the current market.

I have emailed you over some pictures to have a nosey at.
 
Just sold one :p

And I want it if he sells depending on the codition ;)

Would go well with the 201 sx2, again..... Unless that sells!

I think he is considering a v1000+ / v1100+ at the moment; which I think are brilliant choices :D
 
As Yewen says, I think Im set on getting a new case, trying to decide between the V1100-B+ and the V1000-B+. I think I prefer the look of the V1100 but Im worried about temperatures.

As for a graphics card cooler, Im looking at the Zalman VF700-CU, does anybody have any experience with this?
 
Kamakazie! said:
sorry to hijack but whats the going rate on basically a mint condition silver 201b??
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Well a perfect mint, boxed, unmodified as factor bar drive insertion scratches with all original thumbscrews and feet 201b is about £120.

One without thumbscrews and one mark on the top - £77inc delivery is what I sold it one for. (Boxed, window etc.)

Depends on the condition; I can be quite good with valuations unless your like Harib0 and am being awkward with asking, how much is the power switch worth? :(

Also just spotted the silver 201b - thats a 201 :p Or if it has brown ish sides its a 201 sx2.

Also again, Tom don't worry about temperatures in either of thoose cases; they will handle anything you throw at them :)
 
ah i always thought the b was for a second revision not it being black :P ok its got the brownish sides so a 201sx2. Well theres no mods and as far as i can remember, no scratches. Might still have the box but doubt it. Its not with me here though, im really just curious :)
 
Ahh I have one of them :)

£110 perfectly mint (new) is the going rate boxed etc.

But they usually shift around the £85 mark for a good example.

Not bad considering what £85 buys you in the current market, although without a box you can nock £25 of that price easily.

Realisitically without a box anything over £50 you should bite there hand off!
 
Flanders said:
As for a graphics card cooler, Im looking at the Zalman VF700-CU, does anybody have any experience with this?
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Yes. Very very good cooler, easy to fit, and silent on 5V whilst cooling effectively. Kept my 6800LE overclocked and unlocked at 55ish under load, on silent.
 
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