old junk system seeks revitalization

[ubercaffeinated]

I don't know how to start, but I suppose this is the correct forum to bring my troubles to.

I have mess of a system that is about to hit its fifth year of service. It's been abused and run hard.
My friend one day commented, while I was booting up the system, that it sounded like a jet taking off.
Over the years, parts of the generic case have slowly been shedded, or otherwise ripped away, and currently, it runs with it side open, in it's most deplorable state.

Here are the significant noise causing offenders:
Athlon Thunderbird 800 with generic hs fan
3 x 80 gig maxtor 7200 rpm
an older antec 300W ps
2 generic 80mm fans.

I've left out mention of the parts that make noise.

I use this rig as of now mostly as the download mule of my network, placed in my living room corner. As much as I want to keep it that way, the gf complains it is way to loud. I suppose it is, as it makes more noise than our fridge. So, the matter has come down to either throwing the system out, or taking measures to make it much, much, much quieter. I prefer the later choice. With that said, I realize the 3 hdds and the fact that the processor is a tbird make it narily impossible to make my system silent. But I don't need to make it silent. I just need to make the whole shebang quiet enough so the gf doesn't complain about it anymore.

At this juncture, I've contemplated going as far as getting either an Antec SLK3700-BQE or the Sonata, throwing in some panaflos (or equivalent), and a new hs fan, to make it quieter, but I cringe at the fact that it'll come close to a hundred bucks to do that - and I'm not confident how much quieter it'll really be. So I've come to this forum for some advice hopefully, to see if this system can be made quieter, for cheaper. I don't really care how ugly or heavy the case will be, as long as it can let me keep the system quiet enough.
Thanks in advance.

 

[stevennoland]

Would putting the side panel back on create heat issues? If not, do so. I bet that would reduce some noise. Fifth year huh? If it still works and is useful, keep it going. You could always use it to fold. I wouldn't waste too much $$$ to deaden the sound levels. If the PSU is 5 years old, it might be time for a new one (borrowed time on that one eh?) If the gf is complaining about the noise, try some Okasa mats around her mouth. That should reduce some niose. Ha Ha!

 

[ubercaffeinated]

Haha if only it were that easy.

But yes, heat issues are why I keep the side panel off. Even with the side panel on, the case makes a formidable rumble, a loud hollow hum. I guess I could always cannabalize the parts, but I want to keep it around til it dies, if at all possible. Would a Antec BQE sufficiently quiet things down? Or is this a lost cause.

 

[stevennoland]

Dunno, haven't had any experience with the Antec. I do have 2 Lian-Li PC-65's. My first rig had 12 fans total (In fact, it's what I'm using right now). That thing sounds like a shop vac. I can hear it from the other side of my house. So a new case might help, but you never know. Good quality fans will do more for noise reduction. Good luck.

 

[MiStErBRoc]

watercool it =0) costly but lets be serious man for the price it pays its worth it to not here the woman complain heh and obviously way better cooling then air is... hook up a rheobus on it and you make it real low when needed or fast and more cooling when you want... just my thoughts on it

 

[slash196]

You could always move it to a place that's less noticable. Like a closet or something.