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Going quiet(er) Part 2. PSU/Case fan Suggestions?

A

Acert93

Member
You can find the first part of my quest to go "quieter" here: http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=37&threadid=1531497&enterthread=y.

I think I have settled on the XP-90 with a 92nm Vantec Stealth fan for my HSF setup. This should be fairly quiet (21dBa) and allow me room to OC if I want.

In this part I want to look at two main components:

1. PSU

2. Case Fans

1. The PSU... I recently built an AMD64 3200+ system for my brother. In it resides a fairly quiet 400W Coolmax PSU--I was impressed. Even more impressive is the cost--$40.

I have a lot of stuff in my system (2xHDD, 2xDVDRW, 1FDD, 6800GT, Sound card, soon 2x case fans) so I need something with enough power and enough connectors. 400W would be fine, up to 500W if affordable. With the cost of the HSF higher than I expected, paying an extra 40% for 100W is not looking like an option.

I want to stay under $80 (cheaper is better... so if there is a fairly quiet PSU at $40 and one with 3-5dBa more for $60, I would probably take the $40 PSU) AND I want near quiet--a fanless PSU is not necessary unless it is a good deal. A small hum is not a big deal, blaring vacuums are. I have looked around and there seems to be a lot of different opinions and info on these. Suggestions, links, and reviews are very welcome. The Coolmax from Newegg impressed me at $40, so any better suggestions?

2. Case Fans... I bought one recently and it was kinda loud--but advertised as being "quiet". This time I am looking for recommendations instead of trusting labeling 😉 My case will fit 80mm fans, I am not sure about 120mm. I will put one as the intake up front and one as outtake in the back. These do not need to be fast, just quiet. Based on the other thread I am leaning toward a couple 80mm Vantec Stealth fans. Any better suggestions for quiet case fans?

3. GPU cooling... I am looking at the NV Silencer, Zalman VF-700, and other GPU cooling options, but I want to do the HSF/PSU/Rounded Cables/Case Fans first and see how things shape up. But I am HOPING with a GPU cooling solution and the other upgrades to make a quiet/near quiet system.

Absolute quiet is not necessary, but I want something that is "comfortable" to be around. Currently I got a lot of noise--so much that when I recently had the case side off and left the room, I thought there was literally a vacuum in my office.

So PLEASE help me convert the vacuum to a mere breeze! Thanks for your time and help 🙂


Btw, links to the good deals on PSU suggestions are welcome 🙂 Budget is a concern (especially since I am going to end up paying about $65 for the HSF) so a great deal on a fairly quiet PSU in the 400W range would be nice 🙂
 
Vantec Stealth fans are crap. they're just slightly better than generic case fans. They have far more motor noise than higher quality fans like Nexus, Panaflo, or Antec. The Arctic Cooling 80mm Pro TC is my favourite 80mm fan. Thermally controlled too, so you'll get some performance when necessary, and the fan itself is extremely smooth sounding with minimal motor noise.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-103-459&depa=0
The Enermax NoiseTaker is a good product. This is 420W, dual 12V rails at 18A each, good efficiency (~75% according to SPCR), and fairly quiet. There's a 485W version for about $25 extra, but I think this should do you fine.
 
For the power supply, please check the excellent power supply recommendation thread HERE. No reason the invent the wheel again.

The 80mm Panaflo L1 model is one of the quietest fans going. You can get them at jab-tech.com for $6 each.

 
If you want a quiet, quality PSU, you want a Seasonic Super Tornado or S12. It's a no-brainer.

The Seasonics are the recommended units over at Silent PC Review. These PSUs are quiet, holds voltages steady, very efficient, and the ones with 120mm fans like the Tornado and the S12 have large-area honeycomb grilles for excellent venting-- These will actually help keep your case cool.

The Super Tornado 400W should fit your bill nicely.
 
The 80mm Panaflow L1 was also recomended for the XP-90 HS.

For the heat sink, what would be better: The Panaflow L1a (24CFM, 21dBa) or the Arctic-Cooling Arctic Fan 3 TC 80mm (28CFM, 0.8 Sone)? How important is the small difference in airflow? Also, how does .8 Sone compare to 21dBa?
 
Originally posted by: icejunkie
0.8 isn't noticeable at ALL. The NV Silencer 5 is 0.9 sone and it is quiettttttttt....
Click to expand...


Read around at Silent PC Review and you will find lots of people that would disagree with the statement that the NV5 is quiet. Quieter than stock, yes. Quiet overall, so so. "Quiet" on an absolute scale, no.
 
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