Are semi-decent network switches usually crazy loud?

[Mark R]

Just picked up a bargain on a 24-port gigabit switch to replace my cluster of SOHO 5 port gigabit/100M switches.

Man, this thing (netgear gs724t) has a screamer of a fan in it. The switch was cheap, but the noise was just intolerable, as it needs to sit somewhere in the lounge (even if it is hidden away from sight).

Anyway, I've silenced it a bit, by modifying the fan circuit by splicing a 10 Ohm resistor into the fan power supply. It's now tolerable.

Vid of the modification process

 

[ScottMac]

Generally, I'd say "Yes." Commercial switches are generally in a data center, server room, or closet and the high-throughput fan is part of the operation that helps to make it more reliable (heat="bad", cool = "good")

 

[ViviTheMage]

Yeah, they're generally loud ... not sure what your definition of crazy loud is though.

 

[Mark R]

Yeah, they're generally loud ... not sure what your definition of crazy loud is though.

Well. It's far more intrusive than my main workstation PC, even with 3D revved up - to the point that I can't watch TV in the same room. As it's just a switch, I'd say that is disproportionately loud.

 

[Arcanedeath]

They make fanless 24 port gigabit switches but the majority are designed with at least one fan and if they are rackmountable most are very loud as how loud it is doesn't matter in a data center which is where most switches of that type were designed to go. I have a dell powerconnect 2724 w/ 1 fan and it's not that loud. Newegg recently had a trendnet 24 port dumb gigabit switch on sale for around $100 that was fanless. So they are out there.

 

[Emulex]

procurve i have has no fan - so not sure how it would make noise?

 

[Modelworks]

The size of the fan used in that switch is going to be loud. No way to make a fan with decent volume of air quiet at that size. What you can do though is make it a passive design by replacing the heat sinks with larger ones. I had a bluray player with noisy fan. I replaced the internal heat sink with one of those small heat sink/fan combinations that were used on older video cards. Totally silent now.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835110103

 

[mbahr]

You have to be careful about modifying the gear... many people often swap out for "quite" fans but the fact that the fan is loud may be because it is designed to produce high static loads to counteract the pressure of pushing air in a very tight box. Going passive or using a different fan may well increase the heat.

The (less expensive) fan less switches are not managed switches, and so lose alot of capability, which you may not even need.

Anyway, just a word of warning....