ST20G5 so LOUD!

Kol · 24 Feb 2007 at 00:40

Hi guys,

It's been well over a month since I last used my shuttle (monitor died so I just used my laptop - besides the point) and yesterday I hooked a monitor up to have a dabble. Well, the noise is UNBEARABLE. It's so damn loud. The spec is simple really:

ST20G5
7800GTOC
2GB Geil
HDD + DVDRW

So not too much in there, only noise is from the cpu fan which using speedfan I've turned down and temps don't go too high but the noise is annoying. My SN41G2 (or whatever it was) I don't recall being quite so loud. Any recommendations?

Steeps · 24 Feb 2007 at 22:55

most noise in shuttles comes from the graphics card, then the CPU, then its a case of trying to silence NB, hard disks and the PSU. with the G5 case you're limited with what you can do so apart from changing to a quieter graphics card or changing the stock fan to a quieter one you're a bit stuffed

Kol · 24 Feb 2007 at 23:00

Steeps said:
most noise in shuttles comes from the graphics card, then the CPU, then its a case of trying to silence NB, hard disks and the PSU. with the G5 case you're limited with what you can do so apart from changing to a quieter graphics card or changing the stock fan to a quieter one you're a bit stuffed

Graphics/HDD/PSU/NB are fine, in fact when I turn the CPU down it's perfect. I just want to quieten the CPU down a little, without sacrificing on cooling too much.

sean · 25 Feb 2007 at 22:19

What speed's your CPU fan set at? I keep mine around 25% for desktop use- A little warm (CPU 41, HDD 42, NBr 54) but tolerable noise- and 50% in games.

If you find a suitable 92mm replacement fan please let us know: AFAIK it has to be a fancy-schmancy 4-pin PWM model otherwise software speed control won't work.

LeperousDust · 27 Feb 2007 at 02:50

I can't say now because i'm running a reserator, but i never remember having a problem with sound beforehand. I'm just generally anal about sound. I'm running a 3700 with x850 xt-pe. The PSU currently annoys me comparitavely and i'm seeking an external power brick replacement.

All i can imagine is your processor could be overheating because you haven't been so careful applying thermal paste? The ICE speeds up as the processor gets hotter, so thats all i can imagine...

Kol · 27 Feb 2007 at 11:27

I've played around. I think I maybe being a bit too over protective with regards to temps. I've turned it down to around ~40% and I can cope at this level. Sometimes I drop lower when watching a film, though like you say I now notice the graphics/psu but that I can cope with.

Used to have a reserator, should have kept it. Awesome piece of kit. What's a safe temp? In games it's been up 57/58. That safe? I may try reapplying thermal paste etc.

Davey D · 27 Feb 2007 at 12:52

i got sick of the noise from my shuttle PC. i knew the noise was from the Nvidia 6800 ive got installed, so i removed it. i then came across the problem that i couldnt run 1650x1080 on the inbuilt Nvidia Nforce4 MX :mad:

so i knew id have to fit the 6800 back, but do something about the noise. i decided i would try running it fanless :cool:

i rummaged through my boxes of old computer stuff, and came across an old HSF from a socket A processor

the HS was quite big, and made completely from copper. My mission was now set to make this fit. As the AGP slot is right on the outside of the case, so you cant fit anything too big, as it will interfere with fitting the case back on.

i removed the original puny fan + heatsink. the underside of the original was really quite rough, and the Heatsink compond was all dried out quite sparse, so i knew i would easily be able to better this

Firstly i ground down, then lapped the bottom of the socket A HS, as it had a piece cutout ( to fit on the Ziff socket) i then measured up the mounting holes, and drilled through the HS, then i cut down the fins to a little longer than what would fit in the case (as i was going to bend them to 45* angle so i could keep the fins longer, but still allow it to fit.

i applied some new HS compound, and bolted the HS to the card.. it was a huge increase in size & weight over the original.

i powered it on with the case shut, and gave it a test. in windows it runs at 51* idle which i didnt think was too bad. i then loaded up COD2, and gave it a blast for 1/2 hour to see how it faired up. i was quite shocked by the results.. Riva Tuner was saying that i was running 64* :eek:

i was expecting to get somewhere in the 90's.

Needless to say im very pleased with how it turned out, and the sytem is Much quieter. there is still some noise from the cpu/case fan, so im going to try some different fans with that, and the little PSU fan makes some noise, but i dont think i will be able to do much about that. if anyone is interested ill post up some pics of the new cooler in action

LeperousDust · 28 Feb 2007 at 01:16

Mikol said:
I've played around. I think I maybe being a bit too over protective with regards to temps. I've turned it down to around ~40% and I can cope at this level. Sometimes I drop lower when watching a film, though like you say I now notice the graphics/psu but that I can cope with.

Used to have a reserator, should have kept it. Awesome piece of kit. What's a safe temp? In games it's been up 57/58. That safe? I may try reapplying thermal paste etc.

Those temps aren't going to rock the world, but the chip is good for 60+ easily i would imagine, and tbh if its doing what you want, and being quiet, what does 60 mean? Who really cares?

But for bragging rights and something to go by, i'm generally between 29-32 idling and under 40 loaded. But as much as i sound like i do, i really dont care! (Just to give it away my reserator is next to a window thats almost always open, which keeps it very chilly!)