Define R4 fans loud at 12V when mounted

[Lauen]

I find that the fans in my Define R4 makes quite a lot of sound when they're running at 12 volts. And I think it's even worse when I put ON the sidepanel.

I am using the stock fans, 2 x 140mm in the front, and one 140mm in the back. but if I disconnect the ones in the front, and just hold the one in the back in my hands, out of the case, it barely makes a noise at all. 

 

 

though I am mostly running the fans at 7 volts for it to be quite silent, and yet have decent cooling, I am just wondering why it makes so much noise? 

[wtfxmitchell]

because they are running at full speed, just leave them on 7 volts

[Lauen]

because they are running at full speed, just leave them on 7 volts

that doesn't explain much about the fact that I can barely hear a fan if I hold it in my hands while running it at 12 volts, instead of having it mounted in the case? 

[wtfxmitchell]

that doesn't explain much about the fact that I can barely hear a fan if I hold it in my hands while running it at 12 volts, instead of having it mounted in the case? 

maybe they are vibrating

[Skyfire]

Because of the honeycomb grill. Every fan's like that. The way they "pull" air in is affected by the case. If you put something like a filter in between your case and the fans, it'll sound much better.

[Lauen]

Because of the honeycomb grill. Every fan's like that. The way they "pull" air in is affected by the case. If you put something like a filter in between your case and the fans, it'll sound much better.

 

 

maybe they are vibrating

 

 

What if I tried using the soft-mount for the fan in the back of the case? 

[Skyfire]

What if I tried using the soft-mount for the fan in the back of the case? 

 

Not sure what you mean by that.

 

Here's a video explaining what I'm talking just in case you've misunderstood what I said.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4B82yQRUQc

[Lauen]

Not sure what you mean by that.

 

Here's a video explaining what I'm talking just in case you've misunderstood what I said.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4B82yQRUQc

The soft mounts would increase the distance a little, which might make it a little less noisy. but I've had trouble actually getting the fan to stick to them, so for now I'll leave the fans at 7 volts, and see if there's something to do some other time. 

[Skyfire]

The soft mounts would increase the distance a little, which might make it a little less noisy. but I've had trouble actually getting the fan to stick to them, so for now I'll leave the fans at 7 volts, and see if there's something to do some other time. 

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811999217

 

I personally use this which go in between the fan mount and my fan. I use long rubber fan mounts though since regular fan screws are too short.

[R4STABAN]

Probably because of fractals strange plastic contraption that the fans mount to. It's probably vibrating like crazy with both fans at 12v.

[nightlitezzz]

It is caused by the way fans work and the sound profile when they are put up against a restrictive panel thing, in this case the honeycomb mesh. You could try better fans or just get the Silverstone AP123.

[JujuShinobi]

I find that the fans in my Define R4 makes quite a lot of sound when they're running at 12 volts. And I think it's even worse when I put ON the sidepanel.

I am using the stock fans, 2 x 140mm in the front, and one 140mm in the back. but if I disconnect the ones in the front, and just hold the one in the back in my hands, out of the case, it barely makes a noise at all.

though I am mostly running the fans at 7 volts for it to be quite silent, and yet have decent cooling, I am just wondering why it makes so much noise?

You could replace the stock fans with Bitfenix Spectre Pros or Silverstone APs and couple those with a 7V cable