Reduce PC noise ideas?

[Tim Drake]

Okay so I currently have 5 140mm fans in my case and although my H110 pump is the loudest thing in my PC, I still want to reduce noise somehow.

 

Obviously the stock set up from the Air 540 is already amazing but would installing my H110 in front as intake eliminate the need for 2 of the 140mm fans as it cools the water cooler while giving the case airflow?

 

Is this a worthy idea or would it restrict too much air / effect CPU temps too much?

 

Also any other ideas are welcome, ideas that don't cost me anything are more welcome.

 

P.S This is idle noise I am looking to reduce

P.S.S My HDD is pretty noisy too but something keeps turning it on when it turns itself off for standby and does anyone know how to find out what it is?

[191x7]

Remove unneeded fans. Besides those on the CPU cooler, on the GPU and PSU you need 2 to 3 additional fans (1 front intake and 1 back exhaust, the 3rd one may be an intake for the GPU on the side of the case if the case supports it).

 

XFX-es power supplies are good, but most of them have bad (loud) fans (even at idle). They are not a good choice for a quiet config.

The sad thing is - changing the fan woids the warranty.

 

If you have enough fans, lower speed fans are OK (600-800-1000 rpm, maybe 1200 but lower is better). 

 

Put your fans on 7V and 9.5V adapters if your MBO does not support fan speed adjustments (mind does, but my old one did not) and especially if your fans are high-speed models. Those adapters are cheap and can be easily made if you want to do them yourself. Or get a fan controler.

 

There is not much you can do about the pump sound except putting sound-absorbing foam on the sides of your case. But that costs a bit.

[Tim Drake]

Remove unneeded fans. Besides those on the CPU cooler, on the GPU and PSU you need 2 to 3 additional fans (1 front intake and 1 back exhaust, the 3rd one may be an intake for the GPU on the side of the case if the case supports it).

 

XFX-es power supplies are good, but most of them have bad (loud) fans (even at idle). They are not a good choice for a quiet config.

The sad thing is - changing the fan woids the warranty.

 

If you have enough fans, lower speed fans are OK (600-800-1000 rpm, maybe 1200 but lower is better). 

 

Put your fans on 7V and 9.5V adapters if your MBO does not support fan speed adjustments (mind does, but my old one did not) and especially if your fans are high-speed models. Those adapters are cheap and can be easily made if you want to do them yourself. Or get a fan controler.

 

There is not much you can do about the pump sound except putting sound-absorbing foam on the sides of your case. But that costs a bit.

Thank you for the input, seems like there is nothing I can do

[191x7]

Thank you for the input, seems like there is nothing I can do

You might - put the PC under the desk, get used to the sound or wear headphones.

[Tim Drake]

You might - put the PC under the desk, get used to the sound or wear headphones.

Eh, it's still very quiet under load so I can just get used to it

[blackadder]

No on said foam... Why. Of course this will only help so much. I recommend getting a nagging girlfriend then the droning of fand will be a welcoming sound.

[191x7]

No on said foam... Why. 

 

Who did not say foam? I did cover that in my first reply.

[blackadder]

Who did not say foam? I did cover that in my first reply.

my mistake, only line i didnt read. You went on about psu's, i was like thats drastic.

[Tim Drake]

my mistake, only line i didnt read. You went on about psu's, i was like thats drastic.

It's true though, I have started to notice my PSU Fan buzzing

[blackadder]

It's true though, I have started to notice my PSU Fan buzzing

well, replacing the fan isn't hard, it might be a strange size or strange connector, at worst 5 mins of soldering.

[Tim Drake]

well, replacing the fan isn't hard, it might be a strange size or strange connector, at worst 5 mins of soldering.

Nah I don't trust myself to solder it.

[ThomasD]

I would not remove any fans, I would run the existing fans slower.   One fast turning fan can be substantially louder than five slowly turning ones, yet both are moving the same volume of air.  I have an NZXT Sentry 3 in one of our PC and it works great.  But it is visually 'loud' - they have a slider version that might look nice in the Air 540.

 

Moving the rad to the front might not actually reduce total sound production, but it might reduce perceived sound if you run the fans in pull configuration (the radiator itself acting as a sound damper.) So it is probably worth a try.

[Tim Drake]

I would not remove any fans, I would run the existing fans slower.   One fast turning fan can be substantially louder than five slowly turning ones, yet both are moving the same volume of air.  I have an NZXT Sentry 3 in one of our PC and it works great.  But it is visually 'loud' - they have a slider version that might look nice in the Air 540.

 

Moving the rad to the front might not actually reduce total sound production, but it might reduce perceived sound if you run the fans in pull configuration (the radiator itself acting as a sound damper.) So it is probably worth a try.

I already have all my fans at minimum for idle

[191x7]

well, replacing the fan isn't hard, it might be a strange size or strange connector, at worst 5 mins of soldering.

That woids the warranty of the PSU, and the warranty of the PSU is an important factor.

So, no opening for the first 5 years.