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Quieting down my CPU fan

V

VivienM

Senior member
Hi there!

I have the following configuration:
- Abit IS7 + 2.66GHz Celeron D
- stock Intel cooler on the CelD
- Antec SLK1600 case, with stock 300W (or is it 330W?) PS (this isn't a TruePower)
- two Vantec Stealth 80mm fans that I hope I hooked up the right way

The whole thing is running Linux, if that matters...

The problem I'm having is that the CPU fan runs too high: after a few days, it's running at about 5200RPM, which is insanely loud (even at other times, it's down to about 4200RPM, which isn't quiet either). I'd like to quiet it down a bit, but I'm not sure what to do.

Here is what my sensors are reporting:
fan1: 5273 RPM (min = 166 RPM, div = 32)
fan2: 6026 RPM (min = 166 RPM, div = 32)
fan3: 0 RPM (min = 332 RPM, div = 16)
temp1: +35 C (high = +4 C, hyst = +2 C) sensor = thermistor
temp2: +64.5 C (high = +85 C, hyst = +80 C) sensor = PII/Celeron diode
temp3: +43.5 C (high = +85 C, hyst = +80 C) sensor = thermistor
(fan1 is the CPU fan, 2 is the connector from the PS)

I've considered the following:
a) Replacing the PS with something like an Antec TruePower that can take hot air from below the PS
b) Replacing the CPU cooler with something else - suggestions welcome for something that would do the job well
c) Adding some type of drive bay cooling?
d) Replacing the two Vantec Stealths with something a little noisier but more effective?

Thoughts/advice?
 
I would say replace your cooler with a Zalman 7000alcu, it is very quiet and effective. Try hooking up your case fans to a fan controller.
 
Get the following to shut your machine the hell up:

1) Zalman CNPS7000 CPU heatsink. Run at the lowest speed, it is near dead-silent.

2) Seasonic PSU. Either a Super Tornado (which is single rail) or S12 (dual rail). These are THE quietest fan-cooled PSUs your money can buy, recommended by Silent PC Review.

3) Get either an Arctic Silencer or Zalman VF700 for your video card if you are using a stock fan right now. I have never heard of a quiet stock vid card fan.

4) Get Panaflo case fans.

5) Get as many Zalman Fanmates as necessary-- One for your IS7 if it uses a Northbridge fan, and one for each of the case fans.

6) Rubber washers to mount your case fans and HDs.

Voila, near dead-silent system.

HTH.
 
Originally posted by: wisdomtooth
Get the following to shut your machine the hell up:

1) Zalman CNPS7000 CPU heatsink. Run at the lowest speed, it is near dead-silent.

2) Seasonic PSU. Either a Super Tornado (which is single rail) or S12 (dual rail). These are THE quietest fan-cooled PSUs your money can buy, recommended by Silent PC Review.

3) Get either an Arctic Silencer or Zalman VF700 for your video card if you are using a stock fan right now. I have never heard of a quiet stock vid card fan.

4) Get Panaflo case fans.

5) Get as many Zalman Fanmates as necessary-- One for your IS7 if it uses a Northbridge fan, and one for each of the case fans.

6) Rubber washers to mount your case fans and HDs.

Voila, near dead-silent system.

HTH.
Click to expand...


Wow, that's ... overkill, I would hope!

I don't think the video card that's in there right now (GF2 MX200 taken from my pile of spare parts) needs much in terms of cooling, so that's not an issue...

I guess the wisest thing to do would be to get the Zalman cooler first (and maybe the Panaflo case fans), then see (hear, really) what happens? If this box is no longer the loudest one I have, then... that's good enough, if not, swap the PSU?
 
My list addresses all of the noise sources in your case. You can indeed go one-by-one and see if things improve as you go along.

HTH.
 
When you make everything quiet, the horror of how damn loud your HDs are will be very apparent. Unless of course you have some sweet Seagate HDs.
 
Your CPU temp is 65C. Ouch. I guess it is an intel 😛. I would definately get a new HSF for it. Zalman 7000alcu is a decent cooler (if you have a side window, pay an extra $3 for the 7000alcu-led, the LEDs make it look sweet!). Otherwise, a Thermalright XP-90 is good (but pricey), and get a good powerful fan to go with it.

My old PC had a GeForce2 MX, and that only had passive cooling (Heatsink-no fan).

Vantec Stealths are decently quiet, I wouldn't replace them. If you have room for more fans, put some more in. Try to use 120mm if they will fit. A front panel mounted fan controller might be a good idea aswell.

Also, do you have cables all over your case messing up the airflow?

IF your PSU is part of the problem, you may just be able to replace it's fans with quieter ones, but I wouldn't reccomend this unless you know what you're doing.

RoD
 
I second what Wisdom Tooth recommended.

1) Get a new CPU HS/fan. Xp-90 or Arctic Cooler Freezer 4 are other options
2) Get a Seasinic S12 (380w or 430w PSU) or a Super Tornado 400w
3) Get a couple of Fanmate controllers

Your Vantec fans are ok, they just need to be slowed down a bit w/ fanmate controllers

The Seasonic PSU will pay for itself in energy savings in 1 yr if you keep your system turned on 8 hrs a day
 
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