get that quiet system you always wanted, cheap

[getoverclocked]

I've been on a quest for quiet. Here are my suggestions:
-cut cpu fan power/case fans to 5V or 7V (cost = $0) All you need are those small 3 pin to standard 4 pin adapters and a pair of pliers (just move the pins around).
-buy Enermax FCA type power supply
"The quietest power supply is the Enermax FCA with the manual fan control. You can set the fan speed and at the lowest setting, you can't hear it from 3 feet away. However, the FCA model has a pinout that plugs into your MB to supply power. You can unplug and the fans don't turn at ALL. This is absolute silence. It works fine without the fan and doesn't overheat as long as your case isn't that hot inside. However, what I do is I switch the 12V fan input with a 5V by moving the pins on the converter (same as first suggestion). This way I can still have "some" fan going. Works great. Quieter than quietpc's model, cheaper and better power supply.

I know getoverclocked.com sells the new FCA with manual fan control models I run getoverclocked.com so I know they sell it but you can probably find elsewhere too."
-I put carpet inside the computer with carpet tape from Home Depot. Cuts sound in half and it was 2 hours work and cost me <$10.
-get a motherboard that supports suspend to RAM. I got the ABIT KT7 old school with latest bios. works great. EVERYTHING turns off when I suspend (just like power off or hiberation) but it turns back on at your desktop in <5 seconds. Like hibernation on steriods. I use it to go to bed without closing applications/waiting for it to start up/shutdown, etc.

I'd like to get some washers to reduce a little bit of the vibrations of the HD but don't know until I try. SX1000 case isn't that good if you have more than 1 HD because the HD vibrations match the case.

 

[HouRman]

Maybe Dynamat or Rockford Fosgate sound proofer will work.

I've used Dynamat with my Car audio system and it's reduced outside noise and vibration immensly.

Dynamat comes in different compounds and is like a rubber mat with glue on one side. Just use a heat gun and roller to apply to panels that vibrate or places you want to sound proof.

It does change sound energy into heat energy so cooling might be an issue. It also weighs a lot for its thinness and costs about $15 for two 10" square sheets. I wonder if this would quiet the case if put on the panels.

 

[getoverclocked]

I've been considering using Dynamat or other car audio stuff but I'm not sure how well it would work. For $15 I'd be willing to try it but I'm not sure where to find it in the SF Bay area... If anyone else has tried, let us know about your stories. Also, I've seen some other sound stuff but they make you buy like $100 worth in large rolls and you have to pay for shipping so you don't know what you're getting ahead of time...

 

[J3anyus]

If I'm not mistaken, the PCP&C Silencer power supply is quieter than any Enermax out there.

 

[NuKe9]

Nice idea on the carpet, definately alot cheaper than Dynamet. Be extra careful with it *inside* your case though. Carpet is one of the biggest generators of static electricity. ESD and computer components usually don't mix to well. Make sure you ground yourself by touching some bare metal inside the case before touching any components (with the case plugged in of course )
Just my $.02

Tom

 

[biggie75]

Dynamat does work. I work in a car audio/computer store and have used this stuff for years. I also use Dynamat in my car, and as for putting in in the computer to silence the case....it does work(you won't get complete silence but it helps). BUT if you do do this I only recomment Dynamat EXtreme. It has a silver top serface and a tar like bottom. you don't really even have to clean the serface with alcohol like the other kinds, or even use a roller to press it down...fingers and pushing work just fine) this works VERY well. You also don't need to completely cover panels. about a 3 inch square piece on the left and one on the right of a panel will do just fine. I have extreme in my case and it is very "dead". I also have a piece on the top and front be hind the panel (where i fit it). EXtreme is kinda expensive but if you have a friend who has some extra or just buy an "EXtreme Speaker Kit". This should work for you.

 

[RustyNale]

From what I've seen here on the forums, Dynamat works well to cut down vibrations, but doesn't do all that well against the high pitched noise coming from your fans. Try using 1/8" cork instead of carpet, or a piece of carpet foam padding instead of the carpet itself, that should help to minimize the static problem. Mixing the two together sounds like the ideal solution, as vibration can cause as much noise as the fans themselves.
Just my 2cents

 

[jnk27]

I've been running "silent" for 3 weeks now, and I love it. Basically I got an Asus Terminator (tiny case with special motherboard) that runs on 145 watt power supply. I replaced the power supply fan with a "silencer" fan. I then added a Cyrix III 700MHz chip with heatsink (only). I also replaced the CD with a DVD. Result is golden. System is always-on running UD in background in the "multimedia" room, and doesn't make a sound.

 

[Maclane]

isn't Dynamat best against physical vibrations ?, not airborn ?
as far as noise goes, cork is good but the best stuff i have found is called ester foam, has a very high db/noise absorbtion ratio
its not too expensive either.

 

[mboy]

My sx1040 w/ 80mm L1A's all around and on top of my 8045 is about as quiet as you can get running an athlon. I can actually hear my HD (faintly).

 

[GoldMember]

I ain't even going to mention your website.. or cheap of trying to advertise yourself..
Want to see a site? Wait till mine is done.. then take a pad and pen and take notes..

 

[acdub]

<< My sx1040 w/ 80mm L1A's all around and on top of my 8045 is about as quiet as you can get running an athlon. I can actually hear my HD (faintly). >>



Did you put a new fan in the ps, just curious if it can be done with the temp sensor in there.

 

[mboy]

To be perfectly frank with you, it doesnt need to be replaced. The fan in my Antec 400w is pretty quiet.

 

[acdub]

The reason I asked is because something is wrong with the fan in my ps, sounds like the bearing is going out, and I need to replace it.