Super case mod: Fan inside a tube = less noise?

[VBboy]

This could be the best way to do sound insulation, ever!

Basically, I want to take my case fan and place it inside a 10-14" tube, which will extend into the case. So one end of the tube is inside the case and the other end of the tube is barely sticking out of the front of the case.

The fan will be on the "inner" end of the tube, i.e. it will be deep inside the case. Would that help reduce the nouse because now the fan is not right out there in the open (attached to the case's wall) but is rather burried inside the case, having its noise dampened by the case's walls?

Also, the tube itself can be insulated to further dampen the fan's noise. And if Dynamat or a similar product is used, it will do a much better job blocking the noise from the fan because the fan is now BEHIND the dampening material - something you couldn't really have when the fan was attached to the front or back of the case, and you couldn't block the hole with Dynamat.

** The end of the tube that's sticking out of the case could be bent away from you (e.g. to the right), and so the noise would be dampened/redirected even further.

Comments, suggestions? Please post, I will begin doing this to my case tomorrow!

 

[flippinfleck]

Sounds good...in theory.

You ever play with paper towel roll's? Put it to your ear, sounds like everything is louder than before.
Maybe if you could insulate the inside of the tube, might help a bit.

Either way, let us know what happens!

 

[Scootin159]

you could do like a muffler in a car. Drill several small holes (1/4" would work nice) throughout the entire tube, then wrap outside of tube with insulating material, and then wrap in something to hold it together (duct tape? another tube?).

 

[TunaBoo]

Buy a BIG, high qual fan (panaflo or similar).

Run it at 7V.

Stick it in the very front of your case.

You will not hear it in a dead silent room, and it will move PLENTY of air.

 

[VBboy]

TunaBoo, I unplugged ALL case fans AND power supply fans, and could still hear the fan on the CPU (nothing like a Delta, but still.. - using Glaciator cooling fan). Therefore, any fans besides the one on the CPU will only make it louder.

Besides, the tube-design will be much more effective because it will blow the air directly at the CPU, instead of just into the case.

 

[LuNoTiCK]

I agree with tuna's idea. Thats a whole lot less work also.

 

[VBboy]

I don't mind doing the work associated with this kind of upgrade.
I always wanted to be more than just a computer expert

Anyway, I also wanted to install fine filters in front of the fans because my case used to get full of hair and stuff every few weeks. But if you put a filter right in front of a fan, it will make a lot of noise! (Just try blowing through your shirt or even fingers).

But with my design, filters would not add any noise at all because they'd be a few inches away from the fan.

 

[TunaBoo]

<< I don't mind doing the work associated with this kind of upgrade.
I always wanted to be more than just a computer expert

Anyway, I also wanted to install fine filters in front of the fans because my case used to get full of hair and stuff every few weeks. But if you put a filter right in front of a fan, it will make a lot of noise! (Just try blowing through your shirt or even fingers).

But with my design, filters would not add any noise at all because they'd be a few inches away from the fan. >>



I use my design listed above, with alum mesh filters. My fans make NO noise and move a lot of air.

Yes my glaciator makes a little noise too. My Antec case muffles 90% of it. If I lined my case with dynafoam stuff, I am sure it would be inaudible.

If you want to quiet your HSF, get a HSF thats a little lower preformance, but a little quieter. Personally, I need my glaciator because of my 40% overclock.

 

[Scootin159]

Whatever you do, use Panaflow H1A fans. I can't reccomend them enough. I know they are louder than the L1A's, but they are still dead silent. I have 7 of them in my case &amp; it's still quieter than my old case w/ only 2 80mm (cheep) fans in it.