Project: silence that d*** PC!

Quartz · 29 Mar 2019 at 18:08

By throwing lots of money at the problem.

With the Nofan CPU cooler, my PC is pretty quiet but the constant low noise, not to mention the GPU sounding like a dishwasher really gets to me. Maybe it's my tinnitus but I had to do something.

This was my setup

Then I added my Acer Nitro 4K and needed a long video cable. I couldn't get a 5m Displayport 1.4 copper cable so forked out £200 for a fibre-optic cable:

That worked very nicely, so I decided to go the whole hog and move the PC into the cupboard in the corner so I got two more fibre video cables, a 5m active USB 3 cable, a 5m USB 2 cable, a 5m TOSLINK cable, plus sundry power cables and protectors:

There's about £700 of cables there.

I also purchased some noise-absorbent foam and some cable tidy boxes.

Quartz · 29 Mar 2019 at 18:17

The first step was to unplug everything and clear out all the cables. There had been an accumulation over time and I filled one of those Sainsbury's bags with stuff. Anyway, the new cables were all put in and the PC relegated to the corner cupboard.

With the door almost closed it was nice and quiet so the time came to do some alterations. I had a bit of trouble to start with but ended up with the cables looking like this:

And the PC nicely in the cupboard:

And my desk area now looks like this:

And it's quiet. Success! If only I could do more about all the USB cables on my desk.

Quartz · 29 Mar 2019 at 18:19

Ironically, the next step is to upgrade from my Nofan CPU cooler to one with a fan. Now that the PC is hidden away, I should be able to manage temperatures better with a cooler with a fan.

Quartz · 29 Mar 2019 at 18:25

I also got a couple of cable tidy boxes in which I put the 4 and 6 way power strips.

They look very nice and should help keep things tidy. You can see one on the far left which also holds my network switch, and there's one just peeking out under the desk on the right.

Plec · 29 Mar 2019 at 19:12

Quartz said:
I also got a couple of cable tidy boxes in which I put the 4 and 6 way power strips.

They look very nice and should help keep things tidy. You can see one on the far left which also holds my network switch, and there's one just peeking out under the desk on the right.

Have you got a pick with the cables managed with above box? I may use one for a friends setup if they've done the job for you.

And how are your temps with a passive cooler (they look very impressive in the flesh) on a computer in a cupboard?

Quartz · 29 Mar 2019 at 19:52

My CPU is currently running at 55 degrees C.

Pics of those boxes aren't terribly useful. I just put the power strip in, run the cables through the holes, plug everything in, and close the lid.

ETA I'll try to get a photo in the morning.

Plec · 29 Mar 2019 at 21:27

Quartz said:
My CPU is currently running at 55 degrees C.

Impressive results given its new location.

Quartz said:
ETA I'll try to get a photo in the morning.

Thanks @Quartz - no hurry, i'm just curious so don't waste your Saturday uploading pics. Upload them at your leisure.

Quartz · 29 Mar 2019 at 22:37

Plec said:
Impressive results given its new location...

Yes, it just needs a little extra low-noise airflow. There's a decent vent at the top

Quartz · 30 Mar 2019 at 08:41

Right, here you go.

Here's the cable tidy box in place

And here's what's inside

The power strip is underneath and out of sight.

Plec · 30 Mar 2019 at 10:39

Appreciate that, @Quartz, thanks.

Wow, how much money do you estimate is coiled up in that tub? Or would you rather not work it out... :/

Quartz · 30 Mar 2019 at 11:14

That tub holds a cheap switch, a cheap 6-way power strip, and a reel of Cat 6 ethernet.

Plec · 30 Mar 2019 at 11:18

Quartz said:
That tub holds a cheap switch, a cheap 6-way power strip, and a reel of Cat 6 ethernet.

PHEW!

Respect your commitment for silence - you've certainly paid for it - kudos. Did you sound proof the other side of the one mirrored door? If they're like the ones in our old house, you could get away with doing the one screen directly in front of the PC.

Quartz · 30 Mar 2019 at 12:14

I haven't put soundproofing on the door. There's not actually enough room. It's a sliding door and putting stuff on the inside would mean that it wouldn't slide past the boxes to the right. I will likely move the boxes over and turn the PC around, which will give me enough room to add a baffle at the front and other side but I'm satisfied right now.

Plec · 30 Mar 2019 at 12:20

As you're on the holy-grail for silence:

The one thing i would do is put some rubber/foam strip down the side of the glass panel door edge; where it makes contact with the wooden surround when shut. Pretty sure it would have had this originally - but you can guarantee that the door and surround are not exactly plumb.

Quartz · 30 Mar 2019 at 17:36

They're most definitely not plumb!

Quartz · 31 Mar 2019 at 18:43

I've actually constructed a frame - 60 cm x 60 cm x 50 cm - for the other two sides and lined it with noise-cancelling foam. It's not something that's going to appear on Antiques Roadshow anytime soon!

Plec · 1 Apr 2019 at 08:46

Quartz said:
I've actually constructed a frame - 60 cm x 60 cm x 50 cm - for the other two sides and lined it with noise-cancelling foam. It's not something that's going to appear on Antiques Roadshow anytime soon!

If it reduces the offending noise and is hidden in a cupboard - job done, with zero drawbacks.