Silent computing; how quiet and how powerful?

Number29

Number29

Number29

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25 Jan 2013
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304
Hello!

This is just a general thread about the lengths that some people go to to get as powerful a PC as they can for the least amount of noise. I definitely think my setup takes some beating, but I'd like to see and hear (no pun intended) about what other people have done.

I know my hardware isn't the most top notch going by a long stretch, but I'm looking at the idea of getting a GTX 660 to give myself a bit of a graphics boost. As it is now, I'm running the following setup:

i5 2400 with Scythe Ninja 3
Radeon HD 5850
256GB SSD
1TB Seagate
Antec P182.
Fanless Seasonic 460watt PSU

The processor and graphics card are cooled by a single 120mm Scythe fan each. These fans spin at 500-600rpm. I have the 1TB drive set to turn off after 10mins as it's really just a data storage drive. So in essence, the only noise my computer makes is the two 500-600rpm fans, which are essentially silent. The hum from my Logitech speakers completely drowns out any noise the computer might make.
 
I'm sure you already know this but water cooling set up correctly can be dead silent especially if the radiator is outside the tower or the system is running fanless.
 
AshD93 said:
I'm sure you already know this but water cooling set up correctly can be dead silent especially if the radiator is outside the tower or the system is running fanless.
Click to expand...

I appreciate that, but how many people can and do run a completely fanless water system contained within a standard ATX case? Don't you always require a pump to circulate the water?
 
system 1
fractal r4 sound-dampened case
d5 pump (can't hear through case)
i7 3770T @ 100% load 24/7, raystorm waterblock
seasonic 400w fanless
noiseblocker e-loop b12-2s @ 5v x 2 on rad
noiseblocker multiframe 900rpm(12v) exhaust fan @5v
no hdds

connected via quick disconnects to:

system 2
modded silverstone rv02
3x 180mm fans @ 450rpm
3x noiseblocker e-loop pwm 120mm (slow version) controlled by cpu temps
watercooled 2700k + 680sli
corsair ax1200i
no hdds

Inaudible.
 
Last edited:
OptimaLnrg said:
system 1
fractal r4 sound-dampened case
d5 pump (can't hear through case)
i7 3770T @ 100% load 24/7, raystorm waterblock
seasonic 400w fanless
noiseblocker e-loop b12-2s @ 5v x 2 on rad
noiseblocker multiframe 900rpm(12v) exhaust fan @5v

connected via quick disconnects to:

system 2
modded silverstone rv02
3x 180mm fans @ 450rpm
3x noiseblocker e-loop pwm 120mm (slow version) controlled by cpu temps
watercooled cpu + gpus
corsair ax1200i

Inaudible.
Click to expand...

What GPU are you using in that?
 
Quietness is subjective, some people have a lower tolerance for noise than others.

I would say my PC is 'quiet' (not silent) but other posters on this forum using the same watercooling pump as myself have commented on how noisy it is.

To my ears the noise the pump makes is a slight hum, barely audible. The noise it makes is perfectly fine for me.
 
I have a passively cooled 3770K at 4.8GHz, GTX680 at 1200Mhz and SSDs, passive PSUs. The pump is a D5, damped by suspending it and turned down to 3. Doubt a typical person would know it was on if the screen was off.

The monitor is the noisest thing.
 
I don't mind switches and servers blaring away at work but at home I don't like my pc to make any noise at all

I'm a noise snob here.

TBH the bloody central heating is annoying me atm
 
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