Building a sound-deadening enclosure for PCs

[elzmaddy]

I'm thinking of getting a wardrobe closet like this one: http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/s...uctId=11536&langId=-1&parentCats=15597*15852*15856 and putting my three or four systems inside it to deaden their noise. I would have to cut holes for cables and ventilation, of course, and also line the closet with sound-deadening material.

Do you think this is a viable idea? I want this cabinet as a lasting solution to the noise problem I've been plagued with for years. I want this to be a big box that I can put systems inside of and largely eliminate their noise, instead of spending money to silence each computer system individually (I have tried that, and it only goes so far, especially with someone that has sensitive ears like myself and with regards to hard drive noise).

I need some advice on:

1. how to remove hot air from the closet without letting out too much sound. Individual fan holes for each shelf or make a duct and send hot air from each shelf to the top?
2. what to line the closet with (foam, dynamat, etc) -- preferably something budget-conscious.
3. what tools I will need ( jig saw?)

Any feedback is very much appreciated, Thanks.

 

[suszterpatt]

What kind of systems are these? Unless they're file servers with a lot of hard drives, I don't think you need such drastic measures. Have you tried suspending the drives? Do you need a lot of cooling that would necessitate loud fans?


Either way, what you'll probably need is something heavy to absorb vibration, coated with foam on the inside. For the ventillation, I'd go with large ducts to the top/back side.

 

[potato28]

If theres 3 or 4 systems in mind, thats a really good idea. 1: Make a duct or two, and have the duct(s) run up to the first shelf and out. 2: U wont need anything to line that with anything unless u really hate noise. 3: Jig-saw, router, and thats it!

 

[elzmaddy]

What kind of systems are these? Unless they're file servers with a lot of hard drives, I don't think you need such drastic measures. Have you tried suspending the drives? Do you need a lot of cooling that would necessitate loud fans?

2 function as desktops, 2 as file servers. 12 hard drives total -- 3 of which are noisy. I could replace the drives, replace the fans, and then I still may not have a silent a room as could be.

what you'll probably need is something heavy to absorb vibration, coated with foam on the inside

That's what I'm thinking.

1: Make a duct or two, and have the duct(s) run up to the first shelf and out.

Do you mean something like this or something like this?

 

[herm0016]

good idea. i would go with the first choice of your pics, except mabye use one duct with holes for each exaust fan, also make sure that you have a good supply of new air for the systems, mabye cut a hole in the bottom and top of it and put a fan, something large and low rpm to push some fresh air into the cabnet.

 

[ranmao]

I like the second drawing just because I wouldn't like having the exhaust running all the way from the bottom to the top. I would still be worried about cooling the systems though. You could also mount external temp gauges and fan controls on the outside of the closet. As far as tools go if you have a drill you can always get a hole saw, but jig saws would be a bit more versatile.

 

[elzmaddy]

Thanks for your feedback.

Any idea what material I should use for the ducts?

 

[potato28]

Id use ducting for a dryer. Get it in a smaller size.

 

[RampantAndroid]

There is something called dynamat, it dampens sound by changing vibrations into heat. So, at the cost of quiet you get more heat.

Get rubber gaskets for fans, and grommets for screw mounted drives.

Though, your way of making them all into one case will be cheaper in the end I'll bet...dynamat isn't cheap.