pk...to solve your problem, switch out the fan. i did it this morning, and i can't believe the results. AOpen 275, and i put an enermax (cheap) fan in it. sitting here now and i can't hear anything. actually, i replaced all the fans in my rig with enermax fans...t'brd..alpha 8045, 2, 80mm in the back, none in the front, and it sucks air like crazy from the front.....the silence is sweet !!!!