Anyone using "Sound Dampening Material"?

[deadken]

Originally posted by: Bluefront
You are definately on the wrong forum if you're trying to quiet your computer. Check out Silentpcreview if you're serious about silent computing.

The current project of mine involves a steel case, a P4-266, a bunch of different types of foam dampening, and one 120mm fan cooling the whole thing, including the PSU. It's quiet and cool....but did take some effort to construct.

Contrary to some of the posts in this thread, dampening can work effectively, if properly constructed and intelligently applied.....

Thanks, I certainly will check out that site. I have browsed a bunch of silent pc sites and I think that I glanced at that one. I am more interested in finding out if the product that I ordered works well or not (I know, I know, what a fine time to ask....). I will definately visit that site before I install the 'spire' padding that I bought.

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
yes, but thats with your expert knowledge and hardware choices. slapping some foam into a regular case, esp one not designed for silence and possibly aluminum will do diddly squat.

I thank your for most of your help so far OrooOroo, but the fact is that I have a steel panel case, and it is as good if not BETTER then the Sonata. The Sonata has holes in the side. It's best features are the solid construction, quiet PSU and use of 120mm fans. The SLK3700AMB has the same solid construction and 120mm fans. The use of a 350W SL PS vs. a one fan 380W PS would be negated since I would put my Anted True 480W in there anyway (I should be getting a Nvidia 6800GT by the end of the week, and certainly could use the extra oomph (a full 100 watts)). Holes on the sides of a "Quiet" case are a no-no.

Cid, I thank you for the killer link. A set of those for $3 each is a great price. My problem is that I tried to order 7 sets at that price and they only have 5 sets in stock (I will order the 5 sets anyway). At $5 S+H it won't be cheap to order the 'other' 2 sets (for my other computer) later, but at least I will have seen how well they work and if I feel that they are worth it. Yes, I did cut out the front grill on my 3700AMB, but I 'only' drilled out ALL of the holes (enlarged each and every one of them) on the rear (hey, I was bored and didn't want to removed EVERYTHING, and yes, the front one was hole sawed with ALL of the components still inside (except the intake fan of course)). I see that a well planned computer can work well with only one large/quiet fan, but for my needs (O/C'ing and high end video cards (yes, they generate a large amount of heat)), I am not willing to give up my 4 X 120MM fans.

 

[daveybrat]

I bought some of that true 'sound dampening' material a while back and put it in my pc to help dampen the noise.

Here's my review of it:

Pros:

-Easy to apply

-Nice black color

Cons:

-Noise level remained identical

-Case sides felt hotter

-Case became heavier by several ounces


Tough choice eh? 🙂

 

[Bluefront]

That 4mm dampening foam is sold under many brand names. And it has it's place in a total dampening project. Unfortunately, it is simply too thin to perform effectively as the sole dampening material on side panels. You need something thicker.

Check out some of the photos in This album.. You'll see at least four different types of dampening foam. The big solid piece of foam the covers the left panel opening is 3/8" thick.....and could be thicker. Right now that computer is running on the one big fan....usually at 1250rpms or less. The hard drive fan is only turned on when ambient temps are over 23C.

 

[deadken]

WOW! What a NICE job! I looks like you took the time and gave the effort to get the results that you wanted. I have gotten the padding today. I have decided not to install it until I get a chance to go by the local carpet store and see the kinds of padding they offer. I will probably get some decent padding from the carpet store, apply that and then put this padding over it. I thank you all for your help and ideas. I will try and post a reply when I am done (who knows how long it will take), and let you all know how it turned out.