Making my computer quieter

[CGras90]

Right now I'm using the stock heatsink/fan that came on my CeleronD 3.2ghz LGA775. This is pretty much the loudest fan in my system. When I unplugged this fan for a second, the audio level was very nice with just a small hum from the power supply. What do you think will be the cheapest way to make it quieter? Can I lower the cpu fan speed with one of those fanmate knobs or will that cause the temp to go too high? If not, would this be a quiet option? Thanks alot

 

[JBDan]

Your mobo should have a BIOS option that allows some limited control over the fan such as Asus's Q-fan. If it were me I'd be ordering that Freezer Pro in a heartbeat. It's a great budget cooler that performs much better than a budget cooler if that makes sense. 😛 You'll most likely never hear it above your other case noise.

**Also, depending on your case fan size/s, the larger 120mm low rpm fans softmounted will quiet your case down as well.

 

[CGras90]

Ok, thanks. My Bios right now is on "quiet mode" but it doesn't make a difference and the cpu fan is always on anyways.. I guess I will be ordering the freezer pro then. Thanks

edit: Does that include any kind of thermal compound or will I need to purchase that seperately? And what is the best way to clean the processor of the old compound?

 

[JimiP]

Originally posted by: CGras90
Ok, thanks. My Bios right now is on "quiet mode" but it doesn't make a difference and the cpu fan is always on anyways.. I guess I will be ordering the freezer pro then. Thanks

edit: Does that include any kind of thermal compound or will I need to purchase that seperately? And what is the best way to clean the processor of the old compound?

Most aftermarket coolers come with thermal paste. Either in a syringe or already applied to the base of the heatsink. I recommend using rubbing alcohol to clean the old thermal paste of the CPU. That's what I've always done and it works great.

Another technique that is a good one to do is tinting the heatsink. Normally you do this when you apply a thermal paste yourself. You take a small amount of paste and rub it into the base of the heatsink. It works best with copper bases since copper is a porous metal. Once you do that, just apply a small amount of paste to the top center of the CPU and install the heatsink.

 

[Elcs]

Originally posted by: JimiP
Another technique that is a good one to do is tinting the heatsink. Normally you do this when you apply a thermal paste yourself. You take a small amount of paste and rub it into the base of the heatsink. It works best with copper bases since copper is a porous metal. Once you do that, just apply a small amount of paste to the top center of the CPU and install the heatsink.

I have never heard of this one. Any evidence to back it up? Not calling you out on it but if it is tried, tested and can show some improvement/basis then I might as well try it when my Ultima comes.

I am not sure but there should be some form of passive heatsink available however, I believe this board strongly and the boards opinion is that the Arctic Freezer you linked to is a great heatsink/fan and will suit your needs down to the ground, good cooling, quiet and cheap.

 

[JimiP]

Originally posted by: Elcs

Originally posted by: JimiP
Another technique that is a good one to do is tinting the heatsink. Normally you do this when you apply a thermal paste yourself. You take a small amount of paste and rub it into the base of the heatsink. It works best with copper bases since copper is a porous metal. Once you do that, just apply a small amount of paste to the top center of the CPU and install the heatsink.

I have never heard of this one. Any evidence to back it up? Not calling you out on it but if it is tried, tested and can show some improvement/basis then I might as well try it when my Ultima comes.

I am not sure but there should be some form of passive heatsink available however, I believe this board strongly and the boards opinion is that the Arctic Freezer you linked to is a great heatsink/fan and will suit your needs down to the ground, good cooling, quiet and cheap.

Yeah, I know that it is credible. I will look for some pages concerning this. I remember that I read it from somewhere a few years ago... once I find a few pages I'll link 'em. 😀

-Edit-

Here's a link I found from ArcticSilver - That is where I first read this. I'm not sure if it only applies to Céramique or not. That could be the case.

www.arcticsilver.com/pdf/appinstruct/cmq/ins_cmq_singlecore_expsd.pdf

 

[JBDan]

Originally posted by: CGras90
Ok, thanks. My Bios right now is on "quiet mode" but it doesn't make a difference and the cpu fan is always on anyways.. I guess I will be ordering the freezer pro then. Thanks

edit: Does that include any kind of thermal compound or will I need to purchase that seperately? And what is the best way to clean the processor of the old compound?

I think the Freezer 7 Pro comes with thermal grease pre-applied, but don't quote me on that (someone else can chime in on that info hopefully). It's so cheap to just get some AS5 I would order that along with your cooler. As stated, the highest % isopropyl you can find is recommended to clean off any grease. Keep us posted! 🙂

To elcs: I have always "tinted" my HSF bases, but never knew it was called "tinting" lol. Anyways it has always made sense (unless you have a truly mirror finish on the base) to "tint" with grease to fill voids that our eyes can't see. I don't know if this proves to be better, but it can't hurt in my opinion. I dab it on like waxing a car then buff it off all with lint free chamois like cloth.

 

[CGras90]

Originally posted by: JBDan

Keep us posted! 🙂

I ordered the Freezer 7 Pro earlier today. Should be here Tuesday... Thanks for the help!

 

[CGras90]

Well, I got it in today and now I'm having problems with the "quiet fan" function of my motherboard. Right now this thing is just as loud as my old fan. I even updated the bios on my motherboard which supposedly fixed an issue with the quiet fan.

EDIT: Just did some research and for some reason ASRock stopped supporting the quietfan function for Bios versions 1.1 and above, I downgraded to 1.0 and now it slows down the fan perfectly 🙂