[pk_volt]

It's just such a pain in the ass to hear all the fan noise. Most of the noise seem to be coming out from the power supply. But when I take out the power supply and turn it on by shorting the current switch, it's fairly quiet. Maybe the fan speed is temperature dependent.

I also have a zalman cnps whatever heatsink fan on it, and that is fairly quiet, so I don't think that is the problem.

Is it possible to make my computer as quiet as a dell? Perhaps I should get a new case.

[bigwill51534]

Originally Posted by pk_volt

It's just such a pain in the ass to hear all the fan noise. Most of the noise seem to be coming out from the power supply. But when I take out the power supply and turn it on by shorting the current switch, it's fairly quiet. Maybe the fan speed is temperature dependent.

I also have a zalman cnps whatever heatsink fan on it, and that is fairly quiet, so I don't think that is the problem.

Is it possible to make my computer as quiet as a dell? Perhaps I should get a new case.

Cases make a world of difference. If you are interested in a new case, check out the case in my sig. I bought it from Newegg. It has two huge fans in the side (10cm, if I remember right) that don't have to turn fast to keep the PC cool. It has great air flow,, screwless drive/component installation, and is built very solid to limit the vibration born noises.

~Will Courtier~

[super_Chris]

This is almost 8 years old, and is still a very valid how to Tweak3D How to quiet a computer

You could also use pots(potentiometers) instead of a 5/7/12v switch.

I would also suggest replacing all your loud fans. Vantec Stealths work almost silently at 7v.

[hans5849]

Under the front cover of my computer I cut out the fan grills, theres a piece of plastic covering them they don't need finger guards.

[MSP]

Liquid is an expensive cooling option, but it's as quiet as you're going to get.

[super_Chris]

Originally Posted by MSP

Liquid is an expensive cooling option, but it's as quiet as you're going to get.

not necessarily. You can do a fanless, or near fanless setup for way less than water cooling, and it's silent(minus hard drives).

[pk_volt]

Originally Posted by bigwill51534

Cases make a world of difference. If you are interested in a new case, check out the case in my sig. I bought it from Newegg. It has two huge fans in the side (10cm, if I remember right) that don't have to turn fast to keep the PC cool. It has great air flow,, screwless drive/component installation, and is built very solid to limit the vibration born noises.

~Will Courtier~

um, your case is not listed in your sig?

[pk_volt]

Originally Posted by MSP

Liquid is an expensive cooling option, but it's as quiet as you're going to get.

doesn't the water pump still make noise?

[MSP]

Originally Posted by pk_volt

doesn't the water pump still make noise?

Not much. Where are our aqua friends? A few folks here have gone down this road and could best describe the pros/cons of water cooling.

[pk_volt]

Well regardless, I need something that will install quick and easy. As mentioned, most of the noise seems to be coming out from the power supply. Perhaps I should just get a new case with a good and quiet power supply, like that antec sonata?

[Electric_Head]

The new DC pumps that have come out in the last 2-3 years are dead silent. I was using water cooling for the last 4 1/2 years, but recently tossed all my stuff. If you want a silent machine but your computer is too beastly to run fanless on air, then water cooling is the way to go. Water doesn't cost anymore than a comparable air setup. I would only recommend water if you overclock your components because that is where water shines. You can run a very highly overclocked rig that is damn near silent and runs just a few degrees above room temperature.

The reason I tossed my stuff is I picked up a C2D laptop. I don't use my desktop nearly enough to justify flushing my waterloop every couple of months to keep it clean, sanitary, and working at peak performance. I also downclocked my CPU back near stock speeds.

If you are just looking to quiet things down, I would recommend some vantec stealth fans running at 7v like previously stated. It's the most convenient way to go unless you want to invest time researching, building, and maintaining a waterloop. If you have the time, then water is definitely the way to go.

That is my 2 cents coming from a formerly avid overclocker.

[Justin3]

I just installed this in my sunbeam case.
Newegg.com - ZALMAN ZM-MFC1 Fan Controller Panel - Retail
Controls 6 fans all together, I can increase my case fans for gaming and set them at idle for night use which is mainly file serving and downloading music.
My last case was a junker, it would randomly vibrate and case fans would fall off the mounting plate...dont ask

[mistawiskas]

Large fans can move more air at a lower RPM. A psu with a couple 120mm fans is fairly quiet compared to one with two 80's.