Pursuit of silent HTPC

dlknight

dlknight

dlknight

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Joined
5 Jan 2007
Posts
1,652
Location
Smallbrook
Hi,

I am attempting to make my HTPC as silent as possible, current spec is:

Silverstone LC17 HTPC Case
ASUS M3N78 PRO with Athlon X2 5200
Thermaltake TR2-550 PSU
2x Generic 250GB SATA HDD's (not too bothered by the HDD noise)

Basically its the whirring of the fans I can hear and my PC is in an alcove which probably is amplifying the noise.

So today I have replaced the stock AMD cooler with a Zalman CNPS8700-NT, and the two rear 80mm exhaust fans with 2x Sharkoon Silent Eagle 2000's.

4259643987_9078f87f5d.jpg


As there is only 1 Chassis fan header on the m/b the 2nd fan is connected to the power fan header (my PSU does not have a PWM lead), fan 1 is running at @1100rpm and fan 2 at 2000rpm.

CPU fan is running at 1100rpm.

Unfortunately the whirring is still there :( (maybe a tiny bit quieter).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thewhiteknight/4259642541/in/photostream/

I have set Asus Q-Fan to Enabled in the BIOS and selected the Silent profile for CPU and Chassis Fans.

I'm wondering if it could be my PSU fan that is making the noise...

I've also seen the Akasa 3x fan splitter cable so might have a go with one of those... - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CB-031-AK

Cheers
 
Do you really need both case fans running? I can't imagine the system generates enough heat to warren or need it. Maybe remove the one running at 2000rpm?

And if you want to see if the PSU is the thing making noise, take both case fans out, and try to see if Speedfan can be used to turn your CPU fan off... then it should be the only thing running, right?

Undervolting the CPU might also be a good idea if you haven't done it already. That way it will generate MUCH less heat and will require a lot less fan power...
 
SirCanealot said:
Do you really need both case fans running? I can't imagine the system generates enough heat to warren or need it. Maybe remove the one running at 2000rpm?

And if you want to see if the PSU is the thing making noise, take both case fans out, and try to see if Speedfan can be used to turn your CPU fan off... then it should be the only thing running, right?

Undervolting the CPU might also be a good idea if you haven't done it already. That way it will generate MUCH less heat and will require a lot less fan power...
Click to expand...

Good thinking :)

I've just ordered one of these Akasa PWM 3-way fan splitter cables (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CB-031-AK) to run the 2x exhaust fans and CPU fan all off the CPU fan header. Will try this first and see if the noise is acceptable.

I also like your idea about disconnecting all fans temporarily to see how much noise the PSU is making, why didn't I think of that :p

Temps are real good, I'm using Linux (Fedora 11) so this is the output of sensors whilst watching and recording SD television:

Core0 Temp: +29.0°C
Core0 Temp: +22.0°C
Core1 Temp: +33.0°C
Core1 Temp: +31.0°C

Guess I can undervolt in my BIOS if temps start to climb after slowing/disabling fans? Haven't messed with AMD CPU's really since I overclocked my old Opteron 144.

Dreadhead said:
sell the zalman and run a scythe mini ninja instead. I have one of these running passively and my CPU is only hitting 35 degrees at load.
Click to expand...

:( Only just bought the Zalman, it was almost 1/2 the price of OCUK's nearest competitor too. Will keep my eye out for a Scythe, what CPU are you running Dreadhead?

Thanks for your advice peeps, will post my results.
 
Just out of interest, can you download amd overdrive? There is options to reduce the fan speed by %. Might be worth a try as i have done to mine..
 
My HTPC has a mini ninja running passively (on top of a intel e5200), and 2x noctua 1200rpm fans both running at about 600-800rpm. I can just about hear the PSU if I put my ear right at the front of the cupboard it sits in!
 
Dreadhead said:
sell the zalman and run a scythe mini ninja instead. I have one of these running passively and my CPU is only hitting 35 degrees at load.
Click to expand...

I've got this case. this is the inside of mine before I started wiring it up.

finishedvl.jpg


I kept the stock fans but 7volt modded them (google 7v case fan mod)
The Scythe ninja mini will take a 92mm fan so you can add this

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FG-005-NC&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=820

The psu is probably the most contributing factor to your PC's noise so I'd get this.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-006-CS&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=

FYI I put a zalman in my original HTPC & found it to be too noisy (as well as a pig to fit) so I bought the sycthe. Much easier to fit & quieter with the right fan.

If you are bothered about the HDD noise I'd buy a 2.5" laptop drive & bungee mod it (as I've done though not that well, but it is silent)
 
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Dreadhead said:
sell the zalman and run a scythe mini ninja instead. I have one of these running passively and my CPU is only hitting 35 degrees at load.
Click to expand...

This is what I do too. Slightly different case (Antec Fusion) but I just use a low power Athlon with the passive mini ninja. All it needs is the case fans on low (which is silent) and the CPU stays cool.
 
Grimley said:
I've got this case. this is the inside of mine before I started wiring it up.

I kept the stock fans but 7volt modded them (google 7v case fan mod)
The Scythe ninja mini will take a 92mm fan so you can add this

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FG-005-NC&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=820

The psu is probably the most contributing factor to your PC's noise so I'd get this.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-006-CS&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=

FYI I put a zalman in my original HTPC & found it to be too noisy (as well as a pig to fit) so I bought the sycthe. Much easier to fit & quieter with the right fan.

If you are bothered about the HDD noise I'd buy a 2.5" laptop drive & bungee mod it (as I've done though not that well, but it is silent)
Click to expand...

Hi Grimley, thanks for the reply :)

I've just become the owner of a used Scythe Mini Ninja from a well known flea market :p

Looks like it should be OK on my Athlon without the fan? If I attach both the rear 80mm fans to the same m/b header using the Akasa cable and then let QFAN control them, hopefully will be quiet.

I was wondering if its possible to fit one of the Lian Li HDD cages in if I stripped out the existing Silverstone jobbies.... hmm....

I'm just about to disconnect the fans as a test to see if it is the PSU making the noise, just waiting for Ski Sunday to finish recording :cool:

Many thanks for the pointers :)
 
Ooh,

Please let me know how you get on with the cable, I've currently removed the 2 rear case fans and everything runs fine but I quite like the idea of running these fans at the same speed/noise as my cpu fan. Are your rear case fans set to extract hot air?
 
hello. I think you might have bought the ninja mini from me :p use the ninja passively and 7v the case fans. Boot the pc. If its still noisy remove power to the hdds and boot. I find hdds make a racket if not isolated so they may need suspending. If its still noisy id take the psu apart and replace the fan with a yate or sharkoon. Hope this helps - check spcr for more ideas.
 
jellybeard999 said:
hello. I think you might have bought the ninja mini from me :p use the ninja passively and 7v the case fans. Boot the pc. If its still noisy remove power to the hdds and boot. I find hdds make a racket if not isolated so they may need suspending. If its still noisy id take the psu apart and replace the fan with a yate or sharkoon. Hope this helps - check spcr for more ideas.
Click to expand...

Thought your forum name looked familiar ;)

I guess as I'm going to use the Akasa fan splitter cable then I could modify the power connect by swapping the pins over for the 7v mod?

Will try booting with the HDD's disconnected also.

Cheers :)
 
My htpc exhibits the same noise. Its hellish loud. I disabled the 2 rear fans and with cool'n'quiet on the 4450e cpu fan doesn't turn, yet the rig still sounds like a steam engine. I reckon its the matx psu, as the single 3.5 hdd and rom drive wouldn't kick out such noise.
I need to change my psu i guess, but its a specific size (slightly diff to other matx sizes i've seen for some reason).
 
Don't mean to ninja this thread but I am looking to buy this case soon dlknight (Silvertone LC17).

How is it overall? Does it come with fans or did you supply them separately? I wanted a box that wasn't gargantuan but not too small (want to keep storage with the system). Does it blend in well as a media unit rather than looking like a PC?
 
k.Jacko said:
My htpc exhibits the same noise. Its hellish loud. I disabled the 2 rear fans and with cool'n'quiet on the 4450e cpu fan doesn't turn, yet the rig still sounds like a steam engine. I reckon its the matx psu, as the single 3.5 hdd and rom drive wouldn't kick out such noise.
I need to change my psu i guess, but its a specific size (slightly diff to other matx sizes i've seen for some reason).
Click to expand...

Do what was suggested to me, disconnect the HDD's, system fans and cpu fan temporarily and see how noisy the PSU is on its own.

Knubje said:
Don't mean to ninja this thread but I am looking to buy this case soon dlknight (Silvertone LC17).

How is it overall? Does it come with fans or did you supply them separately? I wanted a box that wasn't gargantuan but not too small (want to keep storage with the system). Does it blend in well as a media unit rather than looking like a PC?
Click to expand...

Mine came with two 80mm rear fans, as others have said these will be fine if you 7v mod them. Which is what I intend to do to my Sharkoons later.

Its rather on the large side but I do like the black aluminium front panel, just about blends in with my seperates. It was a good price @£70, so really depends on your budget as there are some much nicer cases out there but are more expensive. a lot of people swear by the Antec Fusion cases...
 
dlknight said:
Do what was suggested to me, disconnect the HDD's, system fans and cpu fan temporarily and see how noisy the PSU is on its own.



Mine came with two 80mm rear fans, as others have said these will be fine if you 7v mod them. Which is what I intend to do to my Sharkoons later.

Its rather on the large side but I do like the black aluminium front panel, just about blends in with my seperates. It was a good price @£70, so really depends on your budget as there are some much nicer cases out there but are more expensive. a lot of people swear by the Antec Fusion cases...
Click to expand...


Thanks for that mate. I mainly want this case as it is a an HTPC case but it also has plenty of bays inside. I think it has at least 4 3.5" bays and 2 5.25" which is kinda what I'm looking for.

I'm going for the silver one as that is what will look best with my current setup...

The antecs do look good but with only 2*3.5" bays it's not enough for me!
 
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Well I have just spent an hour or so checking things over and fitting the new bits.

4276645735_36fbf75ceb.jpg


http://www.flickr.com/photos/thewhiteknight/4276645735/

  1. I fitted the Akasa PWM Fan Splitter cable and modified it so that it is 7v
  2. Disconnected the HDD's temporarily to test noise levels.
  3. Fitted the Scythe Mini Ninja

Well I found the number one source of noise :) it appears to be my HDD's, I have two and one of them is extremely noisy and sounds like a washing machine.

  • Western Digital - WDC WD2500JD-75HBB0 (Caviar SE) - REALLY NOISY
  • Seagate - ST3250620AS (Barracuda 7200.10)

So I like the idea of using laptop drives, is anyone familiar with the following drives and are they nice and quiet? also would they be OK in RAID-0 handling HD recording and playback (upto 20MB/s)?


Cheers
 
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