Modifying Case

[scruffypup]

I will be modding a few cases I have and I was wondering if anyone knew of where to get some sound dampening type of material to use as well as best paint to use on typical case.

 

[DerwenArtos12]

For sound deadening any dense foam will work well, sizes and thickness can vary a lot depending on application but, dense closed cell foam is what to aim for.

As for paint, that is going to be a tough question. Ideally quality three-stage automotive paint is going to be the "BEST". A lot of people, myself included have had good success with your standard spray paint, but remember, every layer of paint is going to amplify whatever is under it, proper prep work and priming is what gives a good paint job.

Welcome to the forum by the way!

 

[Tim]

Paint, I do not know.

Sound dampening: Roofers tape, foam tape, a product similar to Akasa paxmate, or dynamat. In a few months I am going to be experimenting with a Certainteed product called Toughguard II.

 

[Zepper]

In a post here on a similar topic someone recommended an online auto accys reseller that had quite a line of sound damping products. A couple of searches ought to find it. A local shop that does a lot of car sound installations may have similar they could sell you.

.bh.

 

[Zap]

I'd suggest another tact to take on reducing sound.

The first thing you should do is to reduce the sound output of parts inside the computer. This means quieter fans and cooler running components.

The second thing is to reduce vibrations of mechanical components in your computer. Primarily this is done through decoupling fans and hard drives from the chassis. With fans you can get soft silicone rubber mounts which do a good job, but not the gaskets with metal screws. Here's what I mean... these don't seem to work well, but these work quite well. Ignore my choice of brands and retailer - just go with your favorites (except Sunbeam, who's rubber fan mounts are 100% certified absolute crap!!! I don't call stuff "crap" lightly).

Finally, after you've reduced the production of noise and then further dampened noise-creating components... THEN, worry about the case itself. Make side panels fit better so they don't rattle (maybe as easy as slightly bending the mounting tabs so they fit more snug) and then use dampening material. The HEAVIER the material, the better at dampening. Also, forget about blocking sound, as that is a lot more difficult to do, with lower returns.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Zap has it nailed.

This should do ya . . .

SVC's stock of goodies

Also, Akasa "Paxmate" (I think that's what it's called) and Spire noise-deadening foam is heavier. This stuff goes on with an adhesive, and takes hours to remove with a putty knife -- so decide how you want to use it carefully, cut it precisely, and be sure you don't change your mind.

 

[scruffypup]

Thanks to all. Great input!

I was seriously considering the other components as well (PSU, case fans and cpu hs/fan). The second point Zap made I wasn't thinking about and I sure will now,... thanks for the links too!

 

[ther00kie16]

If you want technical information, frostytech has a bunch on different dampening materials under "Silent Projects"

 

[Elcs]

Originally posted by: BonzaiDuck
Zap has it nailed.

This should do ya . . .

SVC's stock of goodies

Also, Akasa "Paxmate" (I think that's what it's called) and Spire noise-deadening foam is heavier. This stuff goes on with an adhesive, and takes hours to remove with a putty knife -- so decide how you want to use it carefully, cut it precisely, and be sure you don't change your mind.

AcoustiPack.

Dont even think about anything else for Acoustic Dampening Material.

Search for my review on these boards ages ago and also read SPCR's review of the stuff. Its quality stuff and helps loads.

But Zap has it, reduce the sound of your components then add in your sound dampening material.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Maximum PC Magazine's issue for last month (or it could have been June, now that I have the July issue in my hands) -- included a pile of minor hardware mods in an article, among which was an approach to using those electronics-store rubber-donut wire grommets to insert between your hard disk and the drive cage.

Now . . . I do not precisely recall every detail of the Max PC explication. However, there is a shortcoming with simply inserting a grommet between the drive and the cage: the screws themselves will still transmit some vibration.

So, for the diehard "last-grain-of-rice" seekers, who are willing to spend a few bucks, I'd recommend the Lian-Li "EX-23" and "EX-34" drive expanders. These things will fit in vacant 5.25" slots, for instance allowing three 5.25 slots to contain four drives.

Fact is -- I have bought these Lian-Li products just so I could tear them apart and fit the essential cage for the drives to slide-out server-array trays.

The Lian-Li product literally isolates their special (6-32 threaded) screws from direct metal-to-metal contact with the cage. In fact, you could probably mod any removable drive cage by making holes that provide an interference fit with the donut grommets, such that the screws fit snugly through the donut holes -- never making contact with the cage.

I also agree that the Acousti-Pak material is probably the best. I may have some Spire foam still in my parts chest, and the material comes in handy for insulating wire harnesses from sharp chassis edges.

Having used the foam padding in prior builds, the pains I've taken in my most recent work to isolate drive and fan vibration from the case, or using teflon grease to lubricate fan bearings -- have eliminated all but "white-noise" from wind-turbulence. So that explains why I haven't kept up with Acousti-Pak.