what to do next?

deusexlumina · 22 Feb 2011 at 08:28

I'm in the process of making my pc as quiet as possible. Current im using a noctua in push-pull and my GPU is passively cooled, so the machine is quite quiet but still audible.

The obvious solution to me was to move over to watercooling however, consdierng i will eventually upgrade my GPU im stuck between the following options:

Custom loop: i have a dcc 10w res/pump combo from laing (sp?), a cheap rad and a heatkiller 3.0 already from a different build. So i was thiking about using these in my current build to cool cpu and gpu, but will they handle it? i thought the pump might be a bit weedy for the task, and the rad would certainly need changing. The problem would also be fitting the rad in my case (fractal R3)

antec kuhler: for cooling the cpu. good for the job, quiet and self contained. Then use a third party cooler for gpu, with a large slow fan.

What do you guys think? im personally leaning towards the second option, as it will feel more "safe" to me. Which will keep my kit cooler though? (gpu will be 6950)

Cheers

blueacid · 22 Feb 2011 at 08:59

What's still making the noise? Are you able to power down individual fans to see whether one is a main contributor?

What's the PSU fan like? Also, any spinning HDDs in there, or is it pure SSD?

gcaster · 22 Feb 2011 at 09:14

You'd need at least a double rad.
Is a DDC not going to be quite loud? I've heard the 18W ones are really loud but I'm not sure on the 10W pump. It should be plenty for a CPU/1xGPU loop though.

Also, your PSU may well be the source of noise, I know mine's the loudest thing (alongside my pump) in my build with everything else on low.
Have a click through to my build (in sig) for some ideas if you want. I've just put up some temps for my current build at the bottom of the main post.

deusexlumina · 22 Feb 2011 at 11:46

At the moment i'd say it was the CPU fans making the most noise, followed by the PSU. The case fans arn't too bad as they on quite a low RPM. To be honest i didn't think about the PSU until you guys mentioned it, i may change the fan inside it and see if it reduced the noise. There is an HDD in there, but i barely hear it (yet

).

I was thinking about a double rad.I'd have to mod the R3 for it to fit inside though, it would go where the HDD bays are. The other option would be mounting it outside. The 10W pump was ok noise-wise, is there an obvious contender for a better pump? as i dont mind splashing some cash on it.

Thanks though i'll take a look at the build when im home and see if it inspires some good ideas

My only conern is would the custom loop definately perform better than the Kuhler? As otherwise it'd feel like im spending more money for no reason.

hlennie · 20 Mar 2011 at 17:58

18 watt ddc pump is quite if you going to water cool at least use a case with space for it

cjgardens · 20 Mar 2011 at 18:28

Non of my 18w pumps have been loud. You can mod the 10w version to a 18w but not all can do it.

Google it there are loads of guides.

Also as mentioned your going to need a 240 rad so that wmtwaamwgdt get good cooling with some quiet fans

so second option mite be better