A less noisy PSU

[Studio_Fan]

So i built and set up my new computer but one thing that is bugging me is the EVGA GQ 850 watt psu I have. Which is louder than I expected (like i can hear it when my head phones are on and i'm watching a show), because all the fans i have on my system aren't that bad and don't really stand out within the cooler master haf xb evo case i'm using. Now granted the thing is sitting on my desk within like 2 feet of me, though might swing it around to the other side so my monitor is between it and me also has a bit more distance. But considering the only part that really is making a note worthy fan noise is the psu, I have to wonder is there a better option? Also note I only have a budget of 100 to 140, which I have a feeling should cover nearly anything.

Also side note, really surprised I could find a data sheet on psu's and their decibel levels. I would have thought there would be such a thing for pc stuff.

[Firewrath9]

rm850x, should have silent mode or for pure silence,

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/4YphP6/seasonic-power-supply-ss520fl2

 

or a AX1600i silent when under 30$ load so prob always.

[orbitalbuzzsaw]

Grab a Focus+ Gold --> semi fanless mode and a great PSU otherwise

[seon123]

What are you powering?

 

For some data on PSUs and their noise level and fan RPM, there's Cybenetics. 

[Studio_Fan]

powering a gtx 960, ryzen 7 2700x, msi x470 gaming pro motherboard, normal disk drive, m2 ssd, two 16gb sticks of ram, and 5 fans all 120mm or larger. But I might upgrade the gpu in the future, and add more fans. Hence the large psu than needed. Also nothing over clock, since i see no reason in doing so.

[seon123]

10 minutes ago, Studio_Fan said:

powering a gtx 960, ryzen 7 2700x, msi x470 gaming pro motherboard, normal disk drive, m2 ssd, two 16gb sticks of ram, and 5 fans all 120mm or larger. But I might upgrade the gpu in the future, and add more fans. Hence the large psu than needed. Also nothing over clock, since i see no reason in doing so.

I'm assuming you're not planning for multi GPU, so a good 450W-550W is absolutely fine for any single GPU system. 450W for anything at stock, 550W overclocked.

For a quiet 450-550W PSU, you have the Straight Power 11, Whisper M, RMx 2018, RMx and Formula. The HX and Prime Ultra Titanium are also quiet, but start at higher wattages, not worth it. 

[orbitalbuzzsaw]

Just now, seon123 said:

I'm assuming you're not planning for multi GPU, so a good 450W-550W is absolutely fine for any single GPU system. 450W for anything at stock, 550W overclocked.

For a quiet 450-550W PSU, you have the Straight Power 11, Whisper M, RMx 2018, RMx and Formula. The HX and Prime Ultra Titanium are also quiet, but start at higher wattages, not worth it. 

The Seasonic Fanless 520w is only $20 more and will literally never make noise @Studio_Fan this looks like a good pick

[seon123]

2 minutes ago, OrbitalBuzzsaw said:

The Seasonic Fanless 520w is only $20 more and will literally never make noise @Studio_Fan this looks like a good pick

Coil whine is a thing, so it will make some noise. 

I thought about fanless PSUs, but look at the case they've chosen. Fanless PSUs are expected to run open side up, and with some airflow from the case. With OP's case, it'll be a hotbox and no airflow. Not ideal. 

[orbitalbuzzsaw]

1 minute ago, seon123 said:

Coil whine is a thing, so it will make some noise. 

I thought about fanless PSUs, but look at the case they've chosen. Fanless PSUs are expected to run open side up, and with some airflow from the case. With OP's case, it'll be a hotbox and no airflow. Not ideal. 

https://www.dremel.com/en_US/

[seon123]

Just now, OrbitalBuzzsaw said:

https://www.dremel.com/en_US/

Great, they'll just dremel a hole through the motherboard. 

[orbitalbuzzsaw]

Just now, seon123 said:

Great, they'll just dremel a hole through the motherboard. 

well you gotta take it out first or y'know you could get a half decent case

[Studio_Fan]

1 minute ago, seon123 said:

Coil whine is a thing, so it will make some noise. 

I thought about fanless PSUs, but look at the case they've chosen. Fanless PSUs are expected to run open side up, and with some airflow from the case. With OP's case, it'll be a hotbox and no airflow. Not ideal. 

ya i looked at the fanless and that was a common problem that gets noted. now i would got that route if I could install more fans around the psu. But right now i'm looking at the corsair rmx2018 and the maybe the seasonic snow silent (seems to be better suited for me) or the seasonic focus+ gold

[seon123]

5 minutes ago, Studio_Fan said:

ya i looked at the fanless and that was a common problem that gets noted. now i would got that route if I could install more fans around the psu. But right now i'm looking at the corsair rmx2018 and the maybe the seasonic snow silent (seems to be better suited for me) or the seasonic focus+ gold

The Whisper M is the same as platform as the lower wattage RMx 2018, but with a better fan. You can even use the same cables for both. 

 

Why does the Snow Silent seem better? I thought you wanted a quiet PSU? If you want a loud PSU, you might as well go all the way and get a Prime Gold or EVGA G3. 

 

And as I said, 450-550W is plenty for any single GPU system. 

[Studio_Fan]

11 minutes ago, seon123 said:

The Whisper M is the same as platform as the lower wattage RMx 2018, but with a better fan. You can even use the same cables for both. 

 

Why does the Snow Silent seem better? I thought you wanted a quiet PSU? If you want a loud PSU, you might as well go all the way and get a Prime Gold or EVGA G3. 

 

And as I said, 450-550W is plenty for any single GPU system. 

ya looking at the snow, noticed it's just the prime with another name. Took it at a different model. So ya currently just looking at the whisper and the rmx, and I think I might for the whisper. The flat cables are noted as a thing for some, but i'm not super picky on have cables perfectly managed. Plus i can always return it if need be.

*ordered whisper, so i'll see how it goes. Though again, really surprised their isn't a data sheet on various pc parts that show things like decibel levels and such.

[seon123]

9 minutes ago, Studio_Fan said:

ya looking at the snow, noticed it's just the prime with another name. Took it at a different model. So ya currently just looking at the whisper and the rmx, and I think I might for the whisper. The flat cables are noted as a thing for some, but i'm not super picky on have cables perfectly managed. Plus i can always return it if need be.

*ordered whisper, so i'll see how it goes. Though again, really surprised their isn't a data sheet on various pc parts that show things like decibel levels and such.

The fan on a PSU is thermally controlled, so the results would vary depending on the ambient temperature, case and load. And the exact testing methodology for even recording the sound would vary.

You can find testing results from reviewers or Cybenetics, and that does the job much better than a single dBA number ever could. 

[orbitalbuzzsaw]

2 hours ago, Studio_Fan said:

ya looking at the snow, noticed it's just the prime with another name. Took it at a different model. So ya currently just looking at the whisper and the rmx, and I think I might for the whisper. The flat cables are noted as a thing for some, but i'm not super picky on have cables perfectly managed. Plus i can always return it if need be.

*ordered whisper, so i'll see how it goes. Though again, really surprised their isn't a data sheet on various pc parts that show things like decibel levels and such.

Whlie you're getting a better PSU I'd reccomend getting a half decent case - an NZXT H500 or S340 (not Elite), Fractal Design Meshify C (this one is the best imo) or Define R6 or Define C, or a ThermalTake Core G21 Tempered Glass, you'll have better air flow, and a quieter (not to mention much bettter looking) system