Help with Noise

[SecretImbecile]

Hi,

 

I'm running a Mini-ITX system, and the temperatures are great (30 C in idle now and mid 65 during constant 100% loads). The issue is these temperatures are clearly achieved by the cheese grater side panels, and noise is a bit of an issue, as the computer is next to me on my desk.

 

I want look into improving this, but I'm unsure what's responsible for the noise, my hardware is as follows:

• CPU : Stock Intel heat sink (Nothing bigger will fit in this case
• GPU: Asus DirectCU II (GTX 760, right next to the cases side panel vent)
• case fans : 2 stock fans, 1x120mm, 1x80mm(15mm thick, so no quality replacements)

As far as I can tell, I could do the following

• Get a new case with less vents (some money)
• Get a new CPU cooler, requires a different case (lots of money)
• buy case fans (cheap, not sure it's the problem)
• unplug/remove 80mm fan (free, not sure it's the problem)

So, does anybody have a good idea what the weak links are in terms of noise in my computer?

[CoolBeans]

Get a Samuel 13, low profile CPU cooler but you have to get a fan for it.

[JoshM]

This would be quiet: http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_23&products_id=21828

If you not worried about looks, then fill the case up with noctua fans, 

Could be your psu as well, what make/model is it? 

[SecretImbecile]

 

Get a Samuel 13, low profile CPU cooler but you have to get a fan for it.

 

It doesn't seem to be sold anywhere in the UK, and it looks like it would definitely cause RAM or other clearance issues. 

 

You reckon the CPU cooler is the issue then?

[SecretImbecile]

This would be quiet: http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_23&products_id=21828

If you not worried about looks, then fill the case up with noctua fans, 

Could be your psu as well, what make/model is it? 

I did look at that, but for a 77W processor Noctua recommend to disable turbo mode

[WoodenMarker]

You reckon the CPU cooler is the issue then?

The stock intel cooler isn't actually that loud normally. 

Try to figure out what fan is loud before deciding on getting anything. 

Just manually stop the fan with your hand one at a time to isolate which is the loud component. 

What case do you have? Pretty sure your gpu is not the problem. If your cpu fan is loud, your case probably just has bad airflow or you haven't adjusted the speeds in the bios.

Btw, you can set a custom gpu fan curve with msi afterburner and make it pretty much silent. 

 

You need to quote a post or tag a member or else they won't get a notification you replied to them.

[SecretImbecile]

The stock intel cooler isn't actually that loud normally. 

Try to figure out what fan is loud before deciding on getting anything. 

Just manually stop the fan with your hand one at a time to isolate which is the loud component. 

What case do you have? Pretty sure your gpu is not the problem. If your cpu fan is loud, your case probably just has bad airflow or you haven't adjusted the speeds in the bios.

Btw, you can set a custom gpu fan curve with msi afterburner and make it pretty much silent. 

 

You need to quote a post or tag a member or else they won't get a notification you replied to them.

Yeah, it was the 80mm fan giving out a significant whining noise, Shame on me for not checking.

[JoshM]

I did look at that, but for a 77W processor Noctua recommend to disable turbo mode

What CPU do you have, do you have a bower style gpu and whats your psu?

 

Don't worry then lol

[WoodenMarker]

Yeah, it was the 80mm fan giving out a significant whining noise, Shame on me for not checking.

If you want to replace it: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/noctua-case-fan-nfr81800

If you don't want to spend so much on a fan: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/arctic-cooling-case-fan-afaco080pcgba01

 

Both are really quiet and move a good amount of air.