silencing my htpc

Banzai_Joe

Banzai_Joe

Banzai_Joe

Soldato
Joined
30 Sep 2006
Posts
5,280
Location
Midlands, UK
Guys, my htpc consists of:


GA-MA78GM-S2H
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4450e 2.3GHz
250gb sata hdd
dvd-rw sata
Vista HP 32-bit

Now the case has 2 x 60mm fans at the back, which i've turned off.
Its the cpu stock retail fan that i think makes the most noise. Its a 'clean' noise if you know what i mean, it doesn't grate or buzz, its just louder than i'd like.
My question is what software (or other means) can i use to quiet the fan?
Current stock level temps are 23°C (cpu) and about 27°C (system), so the fan can afford to slow down a bit.
Gigabytes i-cool is a sack of cack! i can't alter anything on it at all.
EasyTune that also bundles with the mobo crashes in vista.
So 3rd party stuff is what i seem to need.
SpeedFan does sweet FA as well.
Any bios settings that i can take advantage of?

Any help appreciated, thanks :)
 
make sure you enable amd cool n quiet in the bios

you could try a passive cpu heatsink cooled by the air flow of the 2 x 60mm fans
 
Last edited:
Hmmm.... thanks.
Cool n Quiet is set to 'auto' in the bios. So it seem that it does bugger all as it doesn't sound like it ever slows down.
Passive hsf might be an idea. Also wonder if its the psu that causing the excessive fan wooshing!
 
The first thing you'll want to do to silence your machine is to buy a fanless power supply. I can wholeheartedly recommend the Silverstone ST30N. This has been powering my PC for the last 4 years and mine is a higher spec than yours. Switching to a fanless PSU makes an absolutely huge difference. After that you'll want to invest in a heatsink like the Scythe Ninja. With a slow spinning 120mm fan on it thisll keep you processor nice and cool. Good luck.
 
Seems obvious, but is the CPU fan connected to the CPU fan header? It won't be controllable in software if not.

One way to tell for sure if it's the CPU fan making the noise - stop it spinning :)
 
Is the Silverstone ST30N an mATX psu?

Mattus; yeah the fan is connected to the cpu fan (i think), not the sys fan.
I'll stop the fan as you suggested, but i do reckon its the psu fan thats the issue.
Problem with mATX psu's is that they don't seem to be a set size. The one i bought fits the case perfectly, but it only cost £13.
Will have a play. Thanks chaps.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom