I want to quiet my pc...

[sanzen07]

Fan noise is beginning to get to me with my current PC. It's the one in the specs below. I've got 2 80MM fans on the rear of my case and 1 80MM blowing out the side. They seem rather loud to me (even with the fan speed turned down) and I was wondering if there are any quieter fans out there that I would see a noticeable difference with. Is there anything else I could do to make my case quieter (not interested in water-cooling)?

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: sanzen07
Is there anything else I could do to make my case quieter

Get a new case?

Seriously though, I had an Antec 1080AMG which I think is similar to your 1000AMG. It was one noisy (and heavy) SOB!

BTW what PSU do you have? That can contribute to noise as well.

My suggestion is to be on the lookout for a deal on the Antec Solo. IMO it is hands-down the easiest to build a quiet system in that case versus any other commonly available case. It was just available at Fry's Electronics (B&M only) for $20 after rebate! It comes with a 120mm fan and has spots for two 92mm fans. I'd suggest starting off by replacing the included 120mm fan with a quieter one, such as an undervolted Yate Loon. Then, enjoy having a quiet computer!

For more extreme noise reduction, use the hard drive suspension included with the case, get a quieter PSU (Corsair 450VX is a good choice), get an ECS 8800GT video card and a Scythe Ninja to replace your Zalman cooler.

 

[sanzen07]

Cool! Thanks for the info. How big is the Solo? Smaller than the 1000AMG? I would want to get something that's at least as big as that one. Also, I have an Antec NeoHE 500W PSU. It doesn't seem that loud though. I think most of the loudness is coming from the 80mm fans. How is the Antec P180/182 for noise?

 

[NitroTurtle]

Originally posted by: sanzen07
How is the Antec P180/182 for noise?

:thumbsup:

Quietest case I've ever owned. I've been very happy with mine.

 

[Tullphan]

Originally posted by: sanzen07
Cool! Thanks for the info. How big is the Solo? Smaller than the 1000AMG? I would want to get something that's at least as big as that one. Also, I have an Antec NeoHE 500W PSU. It doesn't seem that loud though. I think most of the loudness is coming from the 80mm fans. How is the Antec P180/182 for noise?

Depends on what speed you set the 3 Tri-cool fans on.
On low, they're almost inaudible...on high, they're LOUD!
I'm getting ready to swap out the rear & top fans w/a couple of Scythe Slipstreams. I've got a Yates-Loon in the upper HDD cage blowing on to my video card. I've got this Coolermaster inside my Tuniq Tower turned down fairly low...enough to keep my E6300 at ~47c at load @ 3.01.
I like mine pretty good...of course I got a fairly good deal on it ($69 shipped AR).

 

[sanzen07]

Originally posted by: Tullphan

Originally posted by: sanzen07
Cool! Thanks for the info. How big is the Solo? Smaller than the 1000AMG? I would want to get something that's at least as big as that one. Also, I have an Antec NeoHE 500W PSU. It doesn't seem that loud though. I think most of the loudness is coming from the 80mm fans. How is the Antec P180/182 for noise?

Depends on what speed you set the 3 Tri-cool fans on.
On low, they're almost inaudible...on high, they're LOUD!
I'm getting ready to swap out the rear & top fans w/a couple of Scythe Slipstreams. I've got a Yates-Loon in the upper HDD cage blowing on to my video card. I've got this Coolermaster inside my Tuniq Tower turned down fairly low...enough to keep my E6300 at ~47c at load @ 3.01.
I like mine pretty good...of course I got a fairly good deal on it ($69 shipped AR).

Damn, I wish I had jumped on that Fry's deal a couple weeks back. I almost did.

 

[DSF]

Originally posted by: sanzen07
Damn, I wish I had jumped on that Fry's deal a couple weeks back. I almost did.

Fry's and Newegg both have deals on the Solo every now and then. I bought mine for $30 shipped from Outpost.com (basically Fry's online) in November. Since then it's been on sale for $40 and under at least twice at Fry's, and $50 or under at least twice at Newegg. After Christmas it was $9.99 at Newegg, which is a ridiculous price for such a good case.

My point is that if you're willing to be patient in order to save $30-40, a Solo deal will come around again.

 

[aigomorla]

You really want to look for a P180 if silence is primary.

Its hands down one of the quietest air cases you can get. Also it has no problems mounting on all sinks. Well minus custom's.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: aigomorla
You really want to look for a P180 if silence is primary.

I would argue that the Solo can be a quieter system. Once you've gone fanless for the video card and CPU, and have a quiet and undervolted case fan, and your PSU is quiet, then the noisiest part of your system becomes... your hard drives. While the soft silicone grommets are great in the P180, the Solo gives you the choice to go that route, or to go with the suspended route. I had a single 400GB Seagate 7200.10 drive in my solo that had audible seeks even when mounted on those grommets. Now I have a 500GB Seagate 7200.10 plus a Raptor X, both suspended, and it is quieter than before.

Additionally the Solo can easily get away with having only one 120mm fan (besides PSU fan).

Of course once your system is so quiet that your HDD becomes the noisiest part, you've taken a step towards silent nirvana.

Originally posted by: sanzen07
How big is the Solo? Smaller than the 1000AMG? I would want to get something that's at least as big as that one.

In that case, get the P180/P182. Those will retain the size you desire (though your parts list doesn't warrant it) while still being very quiet.

 

[sanzen07]

Originally posted by: Zap
In that case, get the P180/P182. Those will retain the size you desire (though your parts list doesn't warrant it) while still being very quiet.

I also have a third hard drive installed which I don't have listed. I also fancy the look of the P182 over the Solo. Just personal preference I guess.

 

[Fallen Kell]

If you have a CompUSA still around you go take a look to see if they have any P182's left. Mine did as of 3 days ago. I think everything is at least 50% off now...

 

[sanzen07]

Originally posted by: Fallen Kell
If you have a CompUSA still around you go take a look to see if they have any P182's left. Mine did as of 3 days ago. I think everything is at least 50% off now...

Good idea, I'll see if there's any around. Anyone in San Diego, CA know if they have any?

 

[Sheninat0r]

www.silentpcreview.com

Get a case with 120mm fans, so you can replace them with Noctua/Yate Loon/Scythe and live in silence. Look into a new CPU cooler that runs well on low airflow [Ninja], maybe a passive video card cooler [Accelero S1], and a quiet PSU [VX450, HX520/620]. Suspend your hard drives in empty 5.25" bays or wherever you have space. Make sure to get a case with steel panels, as steel is heavier than aluminum and works better to dampen vibrations from hard drives, fans, etc. etc.

 

[aigomorla]

zap does the solo also have sound insulated side pannels? the P180 have noise absorbing material, so it really quiets the drive down.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: aigomorla
zap does the solo also have sound insulated side pannels?

Yes, the two side panels plus the top panel have some material applied to the inside for sound dampening.

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: Zap

Originally posted by: aigomorla
zap does the solo also have sound insulated side pannels?

Yes, the two side panels plus the top panel have some material applied to the inside for sound dampening.

interesting... might need to try one out on an office build if need be.

 

[Zap]

The P150 (AFAIK no longer available) and the Sonata Designer are the exact same chassis as the Solo, just different colors and with PSU. Sonata Designer comes with EarthWatts 500W, I think. For a really conventional layout these cases do really well.

If you're anywhere between Chicago and Milwaukee, I've got a spare Solo I can loan you to check out.