Noisy NZXT H511 build

rwm24

rwm24

rwm24

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I have a build from December that makes too much noise for my liking.

hdarucf.jpg

NZXT H511 Case
CORSAIR HYDRO H115I RGB PRO XT AIO
5900X
3080 Founders Edition

I replaced the fans that came with the case. Rear exhaust is now a "be quiet! Silent Wings 3 120mm" and connected to system fan 2. The top exhaust is a "be quiet! Silent Wings 3 140mm" connected to system fan 4. All the fans are set to PWM in the BIOS.

H115i RGB PRO XT is connected to the CPU fan header. According to the BIOS and iCUE "Fan #1" is constantly running at ~4000 RPM, is this the cause of the noise? I thought the 4000 might be the total speed of the AIO pump and the 2 fans, but pump is at ~1900 RPM and fans ~500 each for a total of 2900 RPM.

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There is a constant hum coming from the computer, even when it's not doing anything; CPU load 2%, GPU fans not even running, "Fan #1" still 3900 RPM according to iCUE Space. The iCUE values match what shows in the BIOS.

I adjusted the fan curve in the BIOS but it didn't make any difference to the Fan #1 speed, or noise.

As someone with really sensitive hearing it's annoying. I used a Fractal Design Define R5 for several years and it was basically silent all the time, which was lovely!

My novice guess is there isn't enough intake. The AIO is blocking/taking up the front intakes and the GPU is producting a lot of heat with no real air flow, but the exhausts are definitely pointing the right way and doing what they can.

How do I address the noise levels? Should I replace the AIO with a Noctua NH-D15? Do I need to use a different case? Something like the ever popular "Lian-Li O11 Dynamic XL"? What else can be done? I'd choose noise over appearance and hoped the NZXT H511 would do the job but at this point I don't think it's suitable.

Thanks for your help
 
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If you disconnect fan 1 (3780rpm) does the noise stop ?

Having a aio in the front will be bringing warm air into the case which will slighty ibcrease gpu temps.
 
I have not tried removing fan 1 because I believe that is the CPU fan and it wouldn't boot without one being connected? I will try this evening though.

The fan #1 is what I am hung up on though, why is that spinning at 4000rpm while idling?

Based on research the temps seem OK for the specs in it's current case. Maybe I am just being too petty and expecting the case to be almost silent like my Fractal Design Define R5 was, when it wasn't designed to be. I have sensitive hearing though so the fan noise does bother me.
 
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rwm24 said:
According to the BIOS and iCUE "Fan #1" is constantly running at ~4000 RPM
Click to expand...

Sorry i totally missed this bit. :p

Could be just a false reading on the CPU header and it may be the chipset fan you are hearing, mine is very noisy when it starts to spin.

Have read that rolling up a large piece of cardboard or paper to make a tube can help pinpoint where the noise is coming from.

Also, is your chipset fan running all the time? (This could mean the pin on the header is bent)
 
The chipset fan appears to be fine. The pins are not bent and it does change speed.

I unplugged the CPU fan and the 4000 RPM disappeared and it didn't make an audible difference. From a bit of Googling that appears to be the AIO pump speed? Unplugging that just allows the motherboard to get the RPM, and it's still powered and working without that in.

I've adjusted the step up to the maximum delay so the fans don't fire up when Windows does something in the background for 0.1 second.

It's not a noisy system apart from when gaming, I'm just so used to silence from my pc tower and miss that silence. I think the only real option is to change case, there doesn't appear to be anything wrong.
 
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