Antec Sonata side panel holes

[Jibby]

Have been thinking for a while on how to reduce PC noise, throwing up between getting a Lian Li PC60 (for "longevity," I guess) or an Antec Sonata. Well, I'm almost sold on the Sonata, but I am rather concerned about the side panel holes though (the ones that spell out "ANTEC"). I would prefer to have filters on all air intake holes, but from what I've read, there are none on these holes which are apparently intake for the PSU. I fear that if I block out these holes, the PSU may not have adequate cooling. Either that, or I try to make my own filters, and I don't know where to start (unless mosquito nets work Please don't mind my n00biness at this). I read in a review that the reviewer suggested using "the old foam screen and duct tape method" to make filters, but... er... I don't know what *is* a foam screen.

Here's what will go into the case:
Epox 8RGA+
1800+ XP
Lite-on DVD-ROM
Lite-on CD-RW
40GB, 8MB cache Western Digital HDD
Leadtek GF4 Ti4400 (when I retire it from the gaming rig, probably around end of the year)

Here's what I will be getting with the case that will also go in it:
Thermalright SLK-900U HS
92mm Enermax adjustable fan to go on the HS
Two 120mm Enermax adjustable fans to be used as case fans
Zalman ZM80A-HP (will get this for the GF4 above when I retire it from the gaming rig)


Thanks in advance.

 

[JZilla]

Ooh exciting, I have one on the way.

Not really sure about your problem though. You could block them I think, if you use the intake fan. Just watch the temps.

But why are you buying the 2 Enermax adjustables? You do know that the psu can control the case fans and give them the "right speed" according to case temps. So I fail to the see the point in going with adjustable fans.

 

[JKing76]

Enermax's quiet fans really aren't quiet. Check out the fan reviews at silentpcreview.com.

 

[gramboh]

I'm pretty sure temps won't change much by blocking the holes, although the PS might spin the fan up higher to compensate. Try the Panaflo 120mm fans they are more quiet.

 

[0roo0roo]

pantihose

 

[poMONKey]

handiwipes...

all my pantihose have runs the size of new jersey

 

[screw3d]

I've read somewhere that the little side panel holes that spells out "Antec" actually does improve the temps! :Q

 

[Jibby]

Thanks for the quick replies! Am I glad I asked about some of these things before I jump head first into it and screw up. I've never considered cooling before, just have always been considering CPU, mobbo, GPU etc (ie stuff essential for a good gaming rig) only and not quieter cooling and cases and PSUs. I guess that's why I was tempted to go the Lian Li PC60 path... a case that I can keep over many upgrades. I can do the same with the Sonata though, can't I? Also, it's going to be my first attempt at really learning how to put together a computer myself - I'll have a friend over to show me the ropes. So sorry for my n00bish questions, but I really appreciate all the replies that you guys have given me.

So, more n00bishness from me to follow, perhaps.



PSU controlling the case fans
Thanks, JZilla! Can't believe I somehow skimmed over that while reading the reviews. Should I go with two 120mm panaflo FBA12G12L fans for the case fans then? These are the 120mm version of the 80mm L1A, right? And I should be connecting them to fan-only and at 5V? This doesn't apply to the 92mm HS fan though, does it? (see the HS fan discussion below)

Also, do I get 3-pin tails or 4-pin tails for the Panaflos?



HS fan - 92mm Enermax adjustable or not?
JKing76, I have been reading a few things at silentpc while doing a bit of research on this. I don't see them mentioning the enermax much, and they haven't got it in their recommended list. The 80mm version is highly recommended by amdmb.com though, since it has good cfm to db ratio and at low RPM rivals the Panaflo L1A. So, I'm a bit stumped here then.

Also, a n00bish question... isn't the HS fan usually connected to the mobbo? This wouldn't render the "adjustable" feature useless as was the case [no pun intended] for the case fans? Just thought it'd be nice to have the option of giving the CPU additional cooling if need be with future upgrades. I have read of people connecting their HS fan to fan-only, but if I can control the cooling of the CPU myself, then that seems to be more preferable.



The side panel ANTEC holes
Well, I think I can put up with the PSU being a bit louder if it is normally pretty quiet anyway. I just don't want to block them out if it gets a lot louder or dies without that intake. If it won't die, then I guess I can give blocking out the holes a try, and if I don't like the increase in PSU noise, then I can try making some makeshift filter.

 

[JZilla]

You could get the psu to control the hs fan, but I don't think it would work to well according to what I have read.

Not sure about the Panaflos, neither which model or the wiring. I have read that the grommet pins supplied with the case, only works with a 25mm deep fan. So either get some longer pins or get a 25mm deep fan

But if you are not overclocking, I actually think you could get by without using the intake. Just using the outtake/psu, the holes should suck in enough air.

I am myself waiting for my Sonata to be delivered (hopefully next week) and I must say that I am rather excited. My main goal with it is silence. And off course you can keep the case for your next rigs, it even comes with a fine psu.

Anyway heres a couple of links, don't know if you have read them:

Antec Sonata review at Ars.
SilentPC thread on the Sonata AND a Fortron 120mm PSU
Sonata thread at amdmbforums.com

And there are threads here at AT too. Just saw that there is one now in cases & cooling.

Sorry I can't be of anymore help, but I'm probably even more noobi than you.

 

[Jibby]

Thanks for the links, JZilla. I've actually come across the amdmb thread before, but not the other two. The sound files in the silentpc thread were great!

I probably wouldn't prefer the PSU to control the HS fan. It's one of the reasons why I wanted to go with the 92mm Enermax adjustable on the HS, so that I can give the CPU additional cooling if I want to. There is another thread about recommended quiet fans for the 900U, and it seems like the 92mm Panaflo L1A is a popular choice... decisions, decisions.

I may have to deal with not using the grommet pins then... don't have a large choice of fan brands to choose from. So, it seems like I might go with the 120mm Panaflo as the intake fan. I've also been wondering if I can try fitting the 120mm Panaflo on the intake holes of the case... I'm only using one HDD, and if I put it in the top or bottom slots, then I should be able to try to somehow mount the fan onto the large circular intake holes... that is, if the spacing allows for that. Just trying to move the intake fan closer to the front, so that it will act more like an intake fan. If the above doesn't work, how about mounting the fan where it's supposed to be mounted, but on the other side of the HDD cage? Dunno if that'll make much of a difference.

I really do hope the case cools well and is big enough for future mobbos. I'm looking to keep this for the next 3 years AT THE VERY LEAST (likely more since I really do like the look of it, except for the antec holes). So, it'll be going through quite a few upgrades, depending on how much I upgrade my gaming rig (stuff going out of my gaming rig will likely end up in this computer). I would get the Lian Li if it allows for 120mm fans... damn lian li cases cost so much too.

I won't be able to get the Sonata for another 4 weeks (about to enter uni exam period in a week). Dunno why I always feel the urge to upgrade around this time of the year... must be looking for excuses to get away from the impending torture.

 

[Jibby]

JZilla, what are you going to be putting into your Sonata when you get it?

 

[JZilla]

The Panaflo L1 92mm is probably a good choice. I am not familiar with the Panaflos, I can't get them here, so I use Papst instead, but I think they are about the same as the Panaflos.

I'll be putting my current system in it:

MSI VIA KT266A mobo
AtlhlonXP 1800+
768mb ram.
ThermalTake heatsink with 60mm fan. A bit scarred about this, I can't hear it now, but maybe a future upgrade to the Thermalright with a 92mm fan is on the horizon.
40gb 2mb cache Maxtor D740. Also a bit scarred, might have to change it to a Seagate.
40gb 2 mb cache Samsung Spinpoint
Samsung DVD/CDRW combo
1 NIC
1 56k modem
GF4 MX420. This will definately be upgraded during the summer, when the Radeon9600 Non-Pro with passive cooling hits the street. Although I am very tempted to upgrade it now with a R9700 NonPro and the Zalman heatsink.

But I am also very tempted to get a NForce2 and a Barton2500 and then try and get 2 systems out of the parts. Then my sister could have the XP1800. But it bugs me that the Athlon64 is comming, the upgrade possibilities are somewhat limited.

For starters I plan to only use the supplied fan. If the temps are good I will not be using the intake. I am very excited to hear how quiet the Sonata really is, some say quiet, others not so quiet.

 

[Zepper]

You can use foam air conditioner filter material with the Hook side of sticky-backed Velcro(r) to filter the "Antec holes".
. Or you could even block them if you are using both in and out fans. Whenever I use both front and rear fans along with PSU fan, I block all the extra holes like that and try to use a front fan with a higher CFM than the rear and PSU fans combined.
. Keeps the inside of the case dust free and cool besides.
.bh.
Where's the :sun: ???

 

[Blooz1]

Y'all keep talkin' about the "intake" fan...I hope you realize the location for this 2nd fan is actually in the <U>center</U> of the case right next to the MB? I've seen many threads about Sonatas where people have said they didn't even bother with a fan here, since it mostly interrupted the airflow, rather than improving it!

Here's a decent review with lots of clear pics: LINK This review also has actual case temps in operation, which seem kind high my my likings.....

 

[JZilla]

YES, we are aware of that and the temps in the envynews review seems fine to me. They are actually lower than what I gave now.

 

[KenAF]

I recently built a silent PC setup with the Sonata.

P4 2.8
Abit IC7
512Mb Corsair PC3200
Antec Sonata case w/ True 380W PSU
Seagate Barracuda V
ATI Radeon 9700
MIT MDP-120 HDTV PC tuner/pvr
Pioneer DVD-R A05 DVD writer

Then I added:

Fortran FSP-350-60PN power supply w/ 120mm fan - $47
Zalman CNPS7000-Cu P4 heatsink (uses 92mm fan) - $34
Zalman ZM80A VGA Heatpipe Cooler - $25
Zalman ZM-NB32J northbridge heatsink - $5
Sunbeam Rheobus (black, review here) - $19
Panaflo L1A 120mm - $13
AcoustiPak Deluxe (another pic, sold here, coming soon with version pre-cut for Sonata) - $79
Elastomer fan isolators (more info here, order cheap here) - $9.71 for pack of 20
Elastomer drive grommets (order cheap here) - $7.77 for pkg of 25
Smartdrive 2002 hard drive enclosure - $59

What I did:

Installed the CNPS7000-Cu and set it to the lowest fan setting (5v)
Replaced the heatsink and fan on the Radeon 9700 with the Zalman ZM80A
Put Barracuda V hard drive in the Smartdrive 2002 enclosure
Replaced the Antec power supply with the much quieter FSP-350-60PN
Replaced the rear Antec 120mm fan with the Panaflo L1A, mounted with with the better Elastomer fan isolators
Added Elastomer grommets to drives in 5.25" bays
Connected the L1A to the Sunbeam Rheobus for 5 volt operation
Replaced the heatsink/fan on the IC7 northbridge with the ZM-NB32J, as per instructions on Hardforum
Lined inside of case with AcousticPak Deluxe
Inserted AcousticPak Deluxe foam blocks into extra 5.25" and 3.5" bays

What I will do next:

Try WD Raptor in the Smartdrive2002 enclosure
Try Quiet feet case isolators (sold here)

More information people asked for (part numbers):

Elastomer fan isolators - part 5801K6 for 80/92mm fans, 5801K8 for 120mm 38mm fans like Panaflo; order here
Elastomer drive grommets - see here for more specs; G-410 part is 9311K138/ 9311K89, G-411 part is 9311K139/9311K91; high damp and low damp differ in softness

If you can tell your system is on from the noise, then it is too loud!

 

[KenAF]

I'll just add that with the above system, I have no trouble overclocking to 3.2GHz. Moreover, the system runs rock stable and it is quiet enough to not hear it a few feet from my bed. I am a stickler for noise; I can't sleep at all (or work as efficiently) with any noise of any kind, and these changes worked wonders.

If you can tell that your system is on with your ears, then it is too loud!!

 

[Jibby]

JZilla, I have to agree with the predicament with upgrading your processor/motherboard now. If you are going to do so though, consider nForce2s that have been revised to support 400MHz FSB. Also, Sapphire has a 9700Pro with the Zalman heatpipe (I take it that you meant heatpipe, not heatsink) if you aren't comfortable with installing the heatpipe yourself. Otherwise, the 9700 non-pro looks to be a good choice - you can overclock it to 9700Pro speeds if you want.

Blooz1, yeah, I know that the "intake" fan is essentially in the middle of the case. I don't know what else to call it though, and it's widely called an "intake" fan in every review and thread I've read, so I'm just assuming that everyone knows what I'm talking about. When (or if Not totally commited yet, but almost sold) I get the Sonata though, I will see if I can find a way to mount a 120mm fan closer to the front bezel intake holes though. Surely then, I can call it an intake fan.

Thanks for the link to the envynews review though. I remember seeing it turn up in my search, and I thought I've read it already, but I actually haven't. I can't find where he said anything about his choice of heatsink... I'll be using an SLK-900U, so that may help with the temps, and if I can do that mod with the "intake" fan I mentioned above, then that should lower the temps too.

Nice setup there, KenAF! Unfortunately, I can't get a lot of the things you have in your case, one of them being a Fortron PSU. The next best PSU according to the silentpc recommended list that I can get is the Zalman, and the more I'm forking out for this "project" of mine, the less I'll have to upgrade the gaming rig at the end of the year.

I need to win lotto.

If I get the Zalman, then I'm essentially just buying the Sonata for the case and a few minor accessories. It's almost on par cost-wise with getting a Lian Li PC60 and the Zalman power supply, except I have to make do with 80mm Panaflos in the PC60 rather than 120mm Panaflos in the Sonata (I may use the supplied Antec rear fan though... it's apparently pretty damn quiet at 4V, as quiet as a panaflo).

Again, I need to win lotto, then I'll get both cases.

Oh, and yeah, I'll see if I can get the filters off discarded air conditioners from friends/relatives. Or I may go to a store and ask for a replacement filter for my A/C.

 

[JZilla]

KenAF, thats a mighty fine system. May I be so bold to ask the price of the system (without the hardware, just the silencing parts), incase I don't find my Sonata quiet I'll know what I am in for.

Jibby, I do know that Sapphire have the Ultimate Edition. Problem is I can save $120 (in europe), and an additionally $50 by going with a Club3D, by buying a Sapphire 9700NP and applying the Zalman myself. I don't think it looks to hard from the reviews I have read. But does it need a case fan to cool it? Or could it run cool enough without, I am not into overclocking.
Anyway Sapphire is apparently making a 9600Pro Ultimate this time around, it might just fit fine. I would like more power than a 9000 without fan, but I would hate to spend so much money (as a 9700) on a card, since I am not that big of a gamer anymore. In fact the only games I am playing right now are SimCity4 and Day Of Defeat (HL mod). So I'm hoping that the 9600NP will indeed have passive cooling and a nice price tag.

Btw you can see more reviews at the Antec site.

 

[KenAF]

JZilla,

I updated my previous post.

 

[JZilla]

KenAF, in the current Zalman thread you said you didn't have any fans blowing on yours, so that answered one of my questions about the Zalman. But I thought it was mandatory to have an intake fan, when using the Acoustipak?

I was gonna ask if all the damping materials work the same, because here in Denmark they only have NoiseControl MagicFleece, but I found a dealer in the UK, so never mind. It's good to hear, that they are coming out with a version especially for the Sonata.

About the Fortron 120mm psu: I have read some of the threads over at silentpcreview.com, is this - in your opinion - the best way to go if I find the Truepower in the Sonata too loud? Reason I ask is there are so many "silent" psus, or at least that's what they claim they are. Strange that it isn't on the silentpc recommended list.

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: KenAF
I recently built a silent PC setup with the Sonta.

P4 2.8
Abit IC7
512Mb Corsair PC3200
Antec Sonata case w/ True 380W PSU
Seagate Barracuda V
ATI Radeon 9700
MIT MDP-120 HDTV PC tuner/pvr
Pioneer DVD-R A05 DVD writer

Then I added:

Fortran FSP-350-60PN power supply w/ 120mm fan
Zalman CNPS7000-Cu P4 heatsink (uses 92mm fan)
Zalman ZM80A VGA Heatpipe Cooler
Zalman ZM-NB32J northbridge heatsink
Sunbeam Rheobus (black, review here)
Panaflo L1A 120mm
AcoustiPak Deluxe (another pic, sold here)
Elastomer fan isolators (order cheap here)
Elastomer drive grommets (also sold at McMaster for cheap)
Smartdrive 2002 hard drive enclosure

What I did:

Installed the CNPS7000-Cu and set it to the lowest fan setting (5v)
Replaced the heatsink and fan on the Radeon 9700 with the Zalman ZM80A
Put Barracuda V hard drive in the Smartdrive 2002 enclosure
Replaced the Antec power supply with the much quieter FSP-350-60PN
Replaced the rear Antec 120mm fan with the Panaflo L1A, mounted with with the better Elastomer fan isolators
Added Elastomer grommets to drives in 5.25" bays
Connected the L1A to the Sunbeam Rheobus for 5 volt operation
Replaced the heatsink/fan on the IC7 northbridge with the ZM-NB32J, as per instructions in Strictly Intel forum
Lined inside of case with AcousticPak Deluxe
Inserted AcousticPak Deluxe foam blocks into extra 5.25" and 3.5" bays

What I will do next:

Try WD Raptor in the Smartdrive2002 enclosure
Try Quiet feet case isolators

Cheers,
Ken

informative post! you should post those links in the official stickied case mod thread! i'm sure many of us would appreciate it

 

[JZilla]

It's here Jibby. And I like it

Transfering the goods from the old pos, was relatively simple. The mobo fit in nicely, hard part was getting the screws into the holes (I really need a new screwdriver, one of those that holds the screw).
Drives was so easy I couldn't believe it. One thing to note here, is that my system is a Fujitsu-Siemens retail, so the case isn't exactly high quality. Back to the drives, the Maxtor D740 7200 rpm, I can hear, but much less than before and the present noise level of the drive doesn't really bother me. The 5400rpm Samsung is absolutely silent. Those grommets really help, but as KenAF stated some drive enclosure isn't a bad idea, but I won't be buying one. Floppy was easy, I really like the way you install drives in this thing and yes, this is my first quality made case. I have one problem with my DVD/CDRW drive, when it spins up the whole case make sounds, I'll have to look into this later.
The hardest part was the wires from the front, usb+audio, these "pins" are so damn hard to get into the mobo. And this where it sort of went wrong. I am still missing some of these, audio+mic, the names of the different wires didn't seem to match thos in the manual. I am sure I have about this somewhere, I'll just have to dig it up and then do the wiring.

And now to the BIG question, noise. And I must say it is not silent, but I find it to be very very quiet. In fact the loudest thing right now, is my (newly bought might I add) Thermaltake "Silent" Viking. This thing is rated at 21db and I can hear it quite clearly. So this need to be changed. The case is under my desk and I can hardly hear it and the sound comming from it is not really bothering me, the thing that bothers me right now is that damned heatsink with its 60mm fan.

But all in all, I am very happy. If you are looking for a quiet case, the Sonata will fit the bill. If you are looking for a silent case, the Sonata might fit the bill, but would probably need additionally work, like KenAF. But the thing to remember is, that noise levels are very subjective. What I find quiet, you might find loud and a guy from Silentpcreview.com would probably call it a Boeing 747. But I am not regretting the purchase.


And now to the questions:

1. When I change the heatsink or its fan, can I then just buy the slowest Pabst fan. The fan on the heatsink right now is spinning at 3000rpm and delivering 13.33cfm. So does that mean that any fan rated at 13cfm would be okay?

2. When installing those damn wires that goes to the front bezel: It says in the manual, that the black wire should be connected to ground. Ground is equal to -, right? Stupid, indeed but I can't remember whether + or - is ground.

 

[gramboh]

Which heatsink are you using? I just ordered a system with a Sonata today, I'll be using 120mm Panaflo L1A's on the undervolt fan connectors (bought 2, might only the rear, depending how hot the Raptor drive gets). I choose a Thermalright SLK-900U for the CPU with a big 92mm Panaflo fan, undervolted it should be pretty quiet and move a lot of air. Try to get a heatsink that allows at least 80mm fans, that way you can get 20-30cfm without any noise.

 

[novowel]

in regard to:
Elastomer fan isolators (more info here, order cheap here) - $9.71 for pack of 20
Elastomer drive grommets (order cheap here) - $7.77 for pkg of 25

would rubber washr/gromments not have the same end result?