Wanting system quieter during idle - changing stock exhaust fan?

King Mustard · 24 Nov 2016 at 23:08

My fans are:

CPUFAN1

Liquid cooler fan #1
120mm EK-Vardar F4-120 (2200 RPM)
PWM, motherboard "Smart mode" controlled / around at around 430 RPM on idle

CPUFAN2

Liquid cooler fan #2
120mm EK-Vardar F4-120 (2200 RPM)
PWM, motherboard "Smart mode" controller / around at around 0 RPM on idle

SYSFAN1

The OcUK Tech Labs 240mm liquid cooler itself

SYSFAN2

Rear exhaust
140mm stock Thermaltake "TT-1425" that came with my Suppressor F1 case
Non-PWM, motherboard "Smart mode" controlled / around 800 RPM on idle

SYSFAN3

Front intake
200mm stock Silverstone "TT-2030" that came with my Suppressor F1 case
Non-PWM, motherboard "Smart mode" controlled / around 550-630 RPM on idle

I am considering changing SYSFAN2 for a PWM EK-Vardar F3-140ER (2000 RPM) fan to make the system quieter when idle (such as when using it to cast a movie to my TV).

Do you think it'll make a big difference?

I can't imagine changing SYSFAN3 will make much difference - or am I wrong?

Quartz · 24 Nov 2016 at 23:18

Replace the AIO cooler with a good air cooler.

Disco_P · 25 Nov 2016 at 00:35

Are you sure that your motherboard doesn't allow a quieter fan profile for your read fan?

Legend · 25 Nov 2016 at 00:49

As Quartz says, change to air. You will have a noisier system with an AIO. Biggest lie the industry has ever foisted on unsuspecting consumers, that AIOs are some kind of magical cooling solution that trump air coolers at every turn. Such nonsense.

If however you are going to keep the AIO then you can certainly drop your fan speeds in the bios and see if that helps. If not, you could invest in some more quiet fans. You do have a lot in quite a small space there though, so that noise will bounce around a bit.