Styrofoam inside case

[Tiamat]

As title and summary ask, Does styrofoam cause damage to motherboard? Im wondering if it holds static charge. If not, I was thinking of filling unused 5.25" bay, 3.5" bay with it, and cover the bottom of the case. Im trying to deaden my case without having to shell out $$

thx for ideas - cheap alternatives would be cool as well.

 

[lobadobadingdong]

just get some of the spray rubber it's like $6 a can...1 can should be plenty, or get some of that cheap rubber mat from hobby lobby and stick it to the insides of your case.

I wouldn't use styrofoam inside a case.

what is making the noise in your case anyway? if it's just case fans, why not mod them to 5V or 7V?

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: lobadobadingdong
just get some of the spray rubber it's like $6 a can...1 can should be plenty, or get some of that cheap rubber mat from hobby lobby and stick it to the insides of your case.

I wouldn't use styrofoam inside a case.

what is making the noise in your case anyway? if it's just case fans, why not mod them to 5V or 7V?

I dont have a spray booth, nor do i have the space to spray (inside or even outside). My case has a resonant sound. My fans are already at 4V-7V via a Sunbeam Reobus.

Edit: The resonant sound is far more noticeable than my quieted 120mm fans.

 

[akira34]

I'd avoid the styrofoam since I'm pretty sure it will hold a static charge (notice how the packing peanuts always cling to you?).

I suggest finding out where the noise is coming from and trying to eliminate it at the source. If something rattles, tighten it up. If you can't with what's in place, do something to alter the case to make it more secure. Go over each and every screw in the case and make sure it's tight. If there are lose rivets, drill them out and replace them with bolts.

 

[mdcrab]

I picked up some AP/Armaflex Insulation Tape 1/8" thk x 2" w x 30' long at Home Depot for approx. $8.

It looks like it should do a nice job for sound deadening, just haven't gotten around to installing.

I think it normally is used on water pipes and heat pump tubing, etc.

I think I would stay away from styrofoam as it might be too stiff for sound deading and might provide too much thermal insulation.

mdcrab

 

[Tiamat]

Okay, no styrofoam. However, Akira, All of my components seem to be fine. Its really wired. My case just makes a sound. SPCR's review mentioned it as well. It is due to the very thin aluminum. I guess ill try to find some 1/4" Red Rubber sheets from work and see if i can use them. THose are pretty heavy, however im not very sure how I would mount them...

 

[RalfHutter]

I assume you're using an aluminum case..


To reduce the resonance you need to dampen the vibrations of the biggest panels. The somewhat pricey AcoustiPak type of foam works pretty good for that, but it's secret is the heavy rubber sheet that it uses as it's base. You might try using some 1/4" rubber sheet glued to the inside if the door(s) with 3M spray adhesive.

Are all your fans and drives decouple-mounted to the case? Anything that's solidly bolted on will transmit it's vibration right into the case and cause additional resonance. May sure your fans, HDD and PSU are mounted using some sort of decoupling method.

 

[iwantanewcomputer]

yeah what he ^ said is good. think the best way to isolate the moving parts from the case structure would be take some of that foam or padding stuff at the depot and cut it into little doughnut shapes to put around the screws so it's between the fan and the case. for hard drives do the same, just having it around the screws will allow more heat transfer than around the whole thing. i wouldn't cover both sides of the hd but the case pannels probly don't conduct much heat anyway.

 

[Tiamat]

My case is the Antec SuperLanboy. Right now, the only thing that is not decoupled from my case is the motherboard.

Is that 3M stuff permanent? How long does it take to set?

I would rather use some sort of double stick tape, as that is very easy to apply and remove - plus no need of a well vent. area.

 

[Mellman]

do you not have any outside area...at all? the spray on rubber stuff is pretty cool, and works great from what i've seen