Loud PC! CPU fan the answer?

[HCJfilms]

I have a custom built PC that tends to get very loud when I start playing games or edit DV. It seems as if this sound is coming from the CPU area and I assume that a better fan (not Intel stock) would eliminate some of the sound. I was looking at the Zalman CNPS7000A-AlCu because of I've read about its incredibly silent operation.

Any advice?

 

[lobadobadingdong]

better to make sure which fan it is, if there are no fan grills in the way touch the center part of the fan (the part without the blades), to slow down/stop the fan when you get one that gets rid of the racket that's the one that needs replaced. though stock fans do tend to be a wee bit loud anyway.

 

[Operandi]

If it gets louder under load then it?s almost certainly the CPU fan. If you want to be 100% sure of the source run the system with out any of the case fans, I'd unplug them rather then jamming your finger in it. You can also run the system with the CPU un-plugged for a short period of time 15-30, seconds (depending on the mass of the HS) or so to get an indication of how loud the case fans are without the addition of the CPU fan.

 

[Giantwasp]

The CNPS7000A-AlCu is very good I have one at slow speed it is dead silent. However, you might find that the loudest component is the GPU fan. particularly when since you get more noise when doing graphics things. To quieten your PC you will might want to silence both.

 

[HCJfilms]

Thanks guys, definitely will look into this.

A friend of mine said that the noise could also be from the current cooling fan not doing its job too well. Because the noise sounds more like "power" being used instead of a noisy fan, he said that a cooler CPU will allow for less "power" noise.

...if that makes sense...heh

 

[HCJfilms]

Hmm, interesting, how would I go about silencing the GPU?

However, I'm quite sure the noise is coming from the area around the CPU...

 

[Giantwasp]

Originally posted by: HCJfilms
Hmm, interesting, how would I go about silencing the GPU?

However, I'm quite sure the noise is coming from the area around the CPU...

you can replace the cooling fan with a quiet one such as and artic cooling or Zalman make some look at their website. If you plan to get one make sure you get the right one for your graphics card. Alternatively you could get a quiet watercooling system with a GPU block aswell.

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: HCJfilms
Hmm, interesting, how would I go about silencing the GPU?

However, I'm quite sure the noise is coming from the area around the CPU...

The only video cards that I'd consider "loud" would be nvidia's higher end offerings, they also adjust fan speed according to the load they are under, but only 3D apps would fall under that catatory DV editing is solely CPU dependent.

So unless you?re running a high-end nVidia card 6800 or similar class, check the CPU and case fans first. Like I said previously run the system with the case and/or CPU fans off, then you'll know how loud your graphics card is and your other fans for that matter.

 

[MrK6]

I've never really encountered a graphics card fan that was loud, but I've heard of the famed 5800 (insane hair dryer sound). Most stock graphics card fans you cant even hear over case fans. I'd say its your CPU fan and the Zalman 7000BAlCu should do the trick. If you're an overclocker, get the all copper version :thumbsup:

 

[HCJfilms]

I went ahead and ordered the Zalman from newegg, thanks for all the advice! I will report back with my results!

 

[HCJfilms]

**UPDATE***

I received and installed my Zalman CNPS7000A-AlCu today and I am noticing immediate results. After leaving the PC on for a while, I'm noticing no noise whatsoever! Thanks to all that replied and helped.

In addition, I am curious about the included "Fan Mate" small black piece that connects my fan's power. The manual says its used to control the speed of the fan. When would I need this?

Thanks again to all!

 

[Navid]

Originally posted by: HCJfilms
In addition, I am curious about the included "Fan Mate" small black piece that connects my fan's power. The manual says its used to control the speed of the fan. When would I need this?

It depends on your CPU temperature.
If your CPU temperature is not too high, you can insert the fan mate between the fan and the motherboard socket. Then, you can reduce the RPM, and further reduce noise, at the cost of CPU temperature.