Here is a dumb question-

[Boyo]

If I were to buy these HDD Rubber Grommets, are these placed between the HD cage and the screw (outside of cage), or are they placed between the HD and the hard drive cage (inside the cage)? Did that make any sense?

I am looking for something to help keep my hard drives quiet and stable. Answers to the above question, or other suggestions welcomed......

 

[PurdueRy]

The latter of the two.

 

[Howard]

On both sides of the cage, if possible. If it's only on one side, the screw will partially "short-circuit" the vibration absorption.

The easiest way to eliminate vibration transfer is to suspend the HD(s) with rubber, clothing elastic, Stretch Magic, etc.

 

[Boyo]

Thanks both for the help. I was looking at the notes of the bottom of the web page for the grommets, and it recommends using a separate wire to ground your hard drive if you want to use the rubber washer to mount hard drives.

I've never heard of that before. Does anyone know why??? Where would I attach a ground wire to the SATA HD's? I thought they were grounded through the PSU. No?

 

[HVAC]

They are talking about case ground (or earth ground). The power supply provides a + and - voltage level (or a plus and a reference voltage) to the hard drive, but not necessarily a case ground. To avoid static buildup and to aid the frame of the hard drive to repel electromagnetic forces, it should be electrically connected to the computer frame (which should in turn be connected to earth ground through the power supply).

 

[lenjack]

Where is the dumb question?

 

[pkme2]

The tolerances would be too tight to use grommets as vibration dampners on your HDDs. There's no quarantee that it would work.
Why don't you set the computer on a thick rubber pad?

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: HVAC
They are talking about case ground (or earth ground). The power supply provides a + and - voltage level (or a plus and a reference voltage) to the hard drive, but not necessarily a case ground. To avoid static buildup and to aid the frame of the hard drive to repel electromagnetic forces, it should be electrically connected to the computer frame (which should in turn be connected to earth ground through the power supply).

The HD power cable has ground wire(s). Unless they aren't used...

 

[JAG87]

I have a hard time believing the grommets will fit between the hard drive and the chassis. hard drives usually already fit snuggly into the chassis, I really dont see how you can fit grommets which are at least 1/8" from what they look in the pic.

 

[Boyo]

I concur my clown faced friend. Looking at them I wondered too how I could fit the grommets in without bending the aluminium HD cage.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

I'm too well settled to get out of my chair. http://www.mcmaster.com/ Shoot! I'll get the part#9311K138. The drive cage HAS to be spread about 1/4". I cut and pop-rivet a plate inplace. Too much for you, I guess.

PM Zepper, be nice. He will post in this thread or PM you the HDD cage to buy that comes with grommets. This will have to be fitted to your case. I think Evercool or KingWin offer cages. I just can't remember atm. CRS, I guess.


...Galvanized

 

[CreepieDeCrapper]

Originally posted by: GalvanizedYankee
I'm too well settled to get out of my chair. http://www.mcmaster.com/ Shoot! I'll get the part#9311K138. The drive cage HAS to be spread about 1/4". I cut and pop-rivet a plate inplace. Too much for you, I guess.
...Galvanized

where was that link when i was building my homebrew a/c unit! (which didn't work worth crap, btw)

now i'm inspired to try all over again (won't the wife be thrilled )... just look at all those parts!

 

[Zepper]

If your drive cage wasn't built for rubber mounting, then some modding will be in order. I suggest trying the shoestring (yes, Virginia, those things you use to tie your shoes) mounting system - just google for it (actually it is a variant of the bungee cord mount using shoestrings instead of bungee cord). Easily the most cost-effective HDD isolation to be had. I have thougt up a way to suspend HDDs in 5" bays also using bungee or shoestring. Sort of like a hammock strung between the two sides. You put screws into the bottom mounting holes of the drives and wrap the strings/bungee around them to keep the drive from shifting. Using the cable clamps on the bottom screws would make it even more secure for LAN Party transport and the like.

Re HDD ground wires: rotating masses (like HD spindles, optical disks, etc.) generate static elictricity which can only be bled off thru a true earth ground. So if your HDDs are totally isolated from your chassis metal (which should be tied to true earth ground thru the PSU case to prevent shock hazard), then best practice is to use a fairly heavy grounding wire between the case metal and the HDD frame. But since the power ground wires should all be common-ground (true earth), then that extra step probably isn't necessary - I do it anyway for a lower resistance path for static. You can use 18 ga., single strand, automotive wire (tin the stripped ends and loop around screws) or you can buy purpose made ones from places like http://www.bgmicro.com . All drives used to have quick-disconnect tabs on them just for the purpose. Don't see those tabs much anymore...

.bh.

PS: I'm temporatily out of those nice Evercase HDD cages (I may order some more next month), but I do have a few grommet sets for them if anyone needs some. .bh.

 

[Jiggz]

I guess the question is, is the hdd vibration that much? If it vibrates that much it means it's either dying or poorly constructed. At 7200 RPM, a sensible vibration can cause damage to the hdd. If you really want to install dampers, then you will have to pry open the drive cage a little bit to fit in the grommet. To make it even better install grommet on each side of the screw.

 

[lazybum131]

Originally posted by: Jiggz
I guess the question is, is the hdd vibration that much? If it vibrates that much it means it's either dying or poorly constructed.

Not really. Try setting your cell phone on vibrate and compare the difference in noise between holding it in your hand (or setting it on foam, suspending with shoestrings, etc.) and putting it directly on your computer case. It's going to be much louder on a hard surface.

Obviously this is an exaggerated example, but when you start quieting down a PC, hard drive noise becomes readily apparent.

 

[Boyo]

I should tell you guys that I don't even have my rig built yet. Once I get the last hardware parts, which arrive Tuesday, I will build my first rig all by myself on Wednesday.

So, the reasons for asking about grommets for the hard drive don't come from any current problems, but rather from me making sure that everything is okay for the build. I am posting about the grommets for insight and help. I wanted to know if most people use them and should I have them to help keep my 2 hard drives healthy.

Thanks to all for your posts. This forum has proved to be quite helpful in preparing me for the build. Thanks again.

 

[Zepper]

Grommets, besides isolating drive noise from the case, may help protect your drive in case you drop or knock over the computer.

.bh.