Do rubber grommets really decrease case noise?

[dquan97]

Just wanted to hear your opinions...

 

[jpeyton]

The consensus among silent PC nuts is yes. Especially in the case of hard drives, which can resonate their seek noise throughout the entire case if not dampened. Fans can also produce vibrational noise, but I've found this is the case when using higher RPM fans (and not undervolted ones).

 

[dquan97]

I've always wondered if there's enough clearance between the HD cage (which holds the HD) and the HD itself for the grommet to fit. It seems like there's no room.

 

[Cheetah8799]

jpeyton, any suggestions on where to buy these? I've been looking at a few hardware stores and can't find any...

 

[Cheetah8799]

Originally posted by: dquan97
I've always wondered if there's enough clearance between the HD cage (which holds the HD) and the HD itself for the grommet to fit. It seems like there's no room.

Some cases allow for a little space. I notice it most when screwing in optical/cd drives.

 

[dquan97]

Originally posted by: Cheetah8799
jpeyton, any suggestions on where to buy these? I've been looking at a few hardware stores and can't find any...

There's a deal on Hot Deals Forum for a certain store closing and selling a pack of 4 for $0.45 shipped

 

[Cheetah8799]

thanks, found it. link for anyone else interested

 

[dquan97]

Originally posted by: Cheetah8799
thanks, found it. link for anyone else interested

just ordered a few to try out

 

[xbassman]

Ya know there is a cheaper solution......
I bought a small roll of foam tape for a couple of bucks at the hardware store.
I cut a few small strips for each fan mount and for my power supply.
Solved all the buzzing on my case and every other case I have that was making noise. (got 9 total!)
I still have about half the roll left over.

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Originally posted by: dquan97
I've always wondered if there's enough clearance between the HD cage (which holds the HD) and the HD itself for the grommet to fit. It seems like there's no room.

Check out the bottom of your hard drive. There are four screw recepticals there that almost nobody knows about. Newer quiet cases like the SLK3700-BQE actually use these to fasten the HD to the HD cage. It includes some built-in grommers as well. That way the HD is resting on the grommets. It'll never reduce as much vibration as an enclosure or 5.25 HD silencer, but for $.50 it will reduce the vibration a fair amount.

 

[Cheetah8799]

xbassman, I was thinking of doing something similar. Maybe get a pad of thing adhesive rubber type material. Like the foam tape you use. Not sure where I'd get it yet, but it's an idea. Might even work better if it's for a hard drive that fits tight in the cage and such.

 

[xbassman]

Originally posted by: Cheetah8799
xbassman, I was thinking of doing something similar. Maybe get a pad of thing adhesive rubber type material. Like the foam tape you use. Not sure where I'd get it yet, but it's an idea. Might even work better if it's for a hard drive that fits tight in the cage and such.

Yeah...you got it. It is amazing all the stuff you can find at a Home Depot or Lowes.
Once I made a cold air intake for my car with some odds and ends from Home Depot.

 

[Gravity]

IMHO, grommets make all the difference in the world! I had all panaflo fans and a zalmon PSU so I wondered where the noise was coming from. AFter I silenced the northbridge fan, the drives were all that was left. Now in the Sonata case, no drive noise, just a silent "hushhhhhh"

 

[hmsrolst]

Grommets help, but suspending a HDD with elastic cords or, if you have only one HDD and don't move your PC around much, placing it on the bottom of the case on something like a thick, soft mouse pad will radically reduce seek noise, much more than grommets.

 

[Xeese]

Sorbothane sheets are available from McMaster-Carr ina variety of sizes. My drives are presently in a custom cage with sorbothane between the two contact edges of the drive and case.

For grommets or fan mounts check out part #9311K138 - grommets, #5801K6 for the fan. That part # for the fan mounts is supposed to be for 92mm and smaller fans, but I have used it for 120's as well. These are the E.A.R. composite grommets and mounts some retailers are selling for a huge markup.

www.mcmaster-carr.com