Optimizing case/fans for quietness

[thexzenon]

Hi there, my build runs pretty loud, especially when I'm gaming and my AC is off(29-30 C in the room). I'd like to optimize my air flow in the case or change something in order to keep the PC silent.

 

I have a Kuhler 920 in push/pull which, whenever I put the CPU on a bit of load, starts making noise, even on the silent settings (liquid temp getting to 40-45). My GPU is also running a bit too hot (GTX 570 @ 80 C while playing games) and the fan does make some noise while under this load. The case also has a 140 fan at the front, but I can't say I've heard it make a lot of noise.

 

What should I do to optimize the build for silence? Should I add some fans on the side of the case or on the top? Or should I change the fans I have now? Maybe a combination? Please help me, I'm not very knowledgeable when it comes to airflow.

 

Ow yeah, the case is a Corsair Carbide 300R.

[Samdb]

I would get some airflow optimized fans for your case, it seems you're suffocating your graphics card.

[Kayn]

What I would do is get some new fans that are optimized for air flow. Some fans that I would recommend would be Silverstone AP122 if you're on a budget or Noctua NF-P12 if you don't care about cost or color. I would suggesting putting 2 fans as intakes in the front and add another one to the side panel or on the bottom of the case if there is place. Then would have an exhausting fan in the back and another one in the top of the case. Remember your case is only as quiet as your components. Adding more fans will make more noise but if you get decent fans that are quiet then it should not be a big problem.

[thexzenon]

Thanks for the answers. I was searching for the Noctuas and I found a pretty good deal on the AF120's from corsair (looked at them cause I knew they looked nice xD). Are these any good, cause I didn't find the AP122's at the shop I usually buy from. Are the quiet edition ones comparable with the Noctuas when it comes to silence or do they make any weird noises or are known to have any issue?

 

Also, I don't know if this should be in the Water Cooling section, would adding these fans help with keeping the cpu cooler a bit...well..cooler so it stops making the noises it does or should I just set some high temps for the fans in chill control?

[Haggis_]

I had the same noise problem with my computer. I have a Kuhler 620 v4. The fan included was very high performance but terrible noisy. I solved it by buying a Noctua NF-F12 PWM. Don't buy AF-120, they are for airflow not static pressure. I have the pump at 100% all the time and the Noctua fan at 40% until the cpu hits 40 celcius. One or two Noctua NF-F12 PWM will take care of the CPU noise problem.

 

The GPU is harder to do something about. Make sure that there are no dust on it and that the case temp is good. When it is time to upgrade it make sure that you find a cool quite one. Best is one with a blower design so that the hot air is expelled out of the case.

 

To make the cpu and gpu fans run at low rpm you need the case temperature to be low.

What temp you you have in the case under load?

What is the ambient temp?

 

Will be able to help you more then I know that

[thexzenon]

Here are the stats:

 

Ambient: ~27

Mobo (according to AI Suite): 45 C

GPU: between 82 and 89 C

GPU reached 99% quite often is it normal?

 

My CPU fans are at almost 2K now and the liquid temp according to chill control is 47.2C, pump at max

[Haggis_]

Here are the stats:

 

Ambient: ~27

Mobo (according to AI Suite): 45 C

GPU: between 82 and 89 C

GPU reached 99% quite often is it normal?

 

My CPU fans are at almost 2K now and the liquid temp according to chill control is 47.2C, pump at max

Cant be 100% sure but here is what i think

 

The solution is to lower the temp in the case. Now the cpu is taking 45 c air to cool it self. It does that very well at 47 C, only 2 c above ambient, but at the cost of the cpu fans spinning at 2K making noice. Also you need to check to core temp not the CPU temp. The cores can handle up to 105 C if you got an Core i3 i5 or i7. Most people don't want go up over 80 C at full Load

 

The GPU on the other hand is responsible for making the case temp 45 C. It also will suffer trying to cool it self with already 45 C hot air. This will make the GPU-fan spinning fast at load. It is hard to change that the GPU is exausting the hot air into the case, you just have to vent the case better.

 

What to do:

 

1. Add 2 fans to the top of the case. (the front intake will not help to cool much, you can change it to top exhaust). Try to find good silent fans and turn the rpm down using software or you can running them at 7v. You will get a "low noise adapter" with the Noctua fans. This will make the fans running at 7v.

 

2. Change the CPU fans to Noctua NF-F12 PWM and turn them down using the software included with the 920 cooler when cpu core is under 60 C. Try to keep the new Noctua fans at about 1000 rpm, only spinning them up when the cpu-core hitting 60 C. If it is the same fans I got with my kuhler 620, you will need to replace them. They are very good performance but to noisy.

 

3. You can turn the PSU upside-down. This will help venting the case, but you must make sure that the hot air from the gpu is not getting into the psu.

 

4. Optional: A fan in the sidepanel will help getting cool air to the gpu, but will not help cooling the case much.

 

All this suggestions will make more air leaving the case then new are pushed in. This is the best for cooling but it will also make some air getting in not passing the air filters. You have to clean the case more often.

[Haggis_]

Here are the stats:

 

Ambient: ~27

Mobo (according to AI Suite): 45 C

GPU: between 82 and 89 C

GPU reached 99% quite often is it normal?

 

My CPU fans are at almost 2K now and the liquid temp according to chill control is 47.2C, pump at max

Updated my last post a bit, have a look

[thexzenon]

I found a small issue which I overlooked(big stupid mistake). My radiator is so big it takes up like 60% of space from one of the 2 top slots for vents, so I can only install one. The problem is, I ordered 3 airflow fans, so I'll end up with 1 spare fan. Where should I put it? There is space between my rad and the top of the case for the second AF fan, but the problem is I don't think it'll actually blow any air out, since you know, there's a big-ass rad with 2 fans under it.

 

EDIT: nvm