«

> (**) These slide back about 4mm, then lift away.
>
> Google on "quiet PC initiative", there are a number of tricks you can use,
> but the best way to start is to optimise noise on the fans or use CPUs
> which don't need noisy fans in the first place.
>
I have a p3-450 with stock fan I want to lower the noise it makes any
quickfix? hopefully a $0 DIY one?

On Mon, 11 Aug 2003 12:48:42 +0000, Uncle StoatWarbler wrote:

> On Mon, 11 Aug 2003 18:02:01 +1200, Evil Bastard wrote:
>
>> Quite simply, a wooden case enclosure and lined it with Melamine
>> Acoustic Ceiling Foam.
>
> You can get the same effect by sticking acoustic foam/matting on the
> inside of your case panels(*) and mounting the hard drive screws through
> grommets.

Doubt if it would be quite the same, because of (1) the psu fan,
and (2) the emanation of sound out the back.

With my enclosures (yes, I've got the workstation running whisper-quiet
too now - I had just enough foam left over), they overhang the back,
creating a kind of 'tunnel' of about 10cm, which sucks quite a lot of the
PSU fan.

> Just bear in mind that case manufacturers expect to lose 4-5C via the
> case, so the fans have to work harder or the innards will get warmer.

No problem - they'll still be pretty quiet.

> Google on "quiet PC initiative", there are a number of tricks you can use,
> but the best way to start is to optimise noise on the fans or use CPUs
> which don't need noisy fans in the first place.

You're referring to the somewhat noisier AMD CPUs, which I am using.

But CPU fan is not the only noise source. Don't forget about disk drives,
video card fan and PSU fan.

Anyway, I've now got the workstation and server sitting in enclosures,
together making about 1/3 of the noise (by human perception) than the
server alone was making without the enclosure - and the server was the
quieter of the two.

Conclusion - The enclosure as described gives the best silencing for the
buck. I have to focus my attention to be able to hear any computer noise
now.

I just wish I'd done it years ago - I'm sure the constant barrage of
noise has not been good for my concentration.

Cheers
EB

"Uncle StoatWarbler" <alanb+> wrote in message
news.. .
> On Mon, 11 Aug 2003 22:57:40 +1200, Craig Sutton wrote:
>
> > I have a p3-450 with stock fan I want to lower the noise it makes any
> > quickfix? hopefully a $0 DIY one?
>
> Easy fix #1: Get a bigger, slower fan. It'll still move just as much air.
>
> Blade tip noise is the key. faster fans make more noise .noise level is
> proportional to the cube of the blade speed, while air moved is linearly
> proportional.

I am thinking just pulling the cpu out of the socket cleaning the dust and
crap out of it that should improve things.
Maybe i should over clock it up to 540mhz and it will blow the crap out on
its own.

Thus spake Craig Sutton:
> I am thinking just pulling the cpu out of the socket cleaning the dust and
> crap out of it that should improve things.

That'll improve cooling but most CPU fans aren't temperature sensitive
so it won't help noise.

Cheap solution, whack a small resistor in the +12V. YOu can generally
drop the noise by at least half.

Experiment a little after deciding the max temp you're happy with. I'm
happy with 50 C idle.

--
aaronl at consultant dot com
http://homepages.visp.co.nz/~aaronlawrence
...Gross Ignorance: 144 times worse than ordinary ignorance.

Thus spake Uncle StoatWarbler:
> No, I'm referring to things like the Joshua/Jerico CPUs, which dn't need a
> fan at all.

The what??

I heard of the VIA C3...
--
aaronl at consultant dot com
http://homepages.visp.co.nz/~aaronlawrence
...Gross Ignorance: 144 times worse than ordinary ignorance.

On Mon, 11 Aug 2003 18:02:01 +1200, Evil Bastard wrote:

> Quite simply, a wooden case enclosure and lined it with Melamine
> Acoustic Ceiling Foam.

You can get the same effect by sticking acoustic foam/matting on the
inside of your case panels(*) and mounting the hard drive screws through
grommets.

Just bear in mind that case manufacturers expect to lose 4-5C via the
case, so the fans have to work harder or the innards will get warmer.


(*) Assumes individually removable Aopen style panels(**), of course. You
can't do this with one piece covers or the foam gets trashed as you slide
them on/off.

(**) These slide back about 4mm, then lift away.

Google on "quiet PC initiative", there are a number of tricks you can use,
but the best way to start is to optimise noise on the fans or use CPUs
which don't need noisy fans in the first place.

On Mon, 11 Aug 2003 22:57:40 +1200, Craig Sutton wrote:

> I have a p3-450 with stock fan I want to lower the noise it makes any
> quickfix? hopefully a $0 DIY one?

Easy fix #1: Get a bigger, slower fan. It'll still move just as much air.

Blade tip noise is the key. faster fans make more noise .noise level is
proportional to the cube of the blade speed, while air moved is linearly
proportional.

Good cases will have a well defined airflow which allows air to be drawn
in and across hot components, then out the back. Most PC cases have no
thought given to airflow at all and the paths taken are effectively random
- which means more (noisy) auxilliary fans stirring things up over local
hotspots.

On Mon, 11 Aug 2003 23:03:31 +1200, Evil Bastard wrote:

> With my enclosures (yes, I've got the workstation running whisper-quiet
> too now - I had just enough foam left over), they overhang the back,
> creating a kind of 'tunnel' of about 10cm, which sucks quite a lot of the
> PSU fan.

There are a number of "silent fan" PSUs now, with variable speeds, etc.

>> Google on "quiet PC initiative", there are a number of tricks you can use,
>> but the best way to start is to optimise noise on the fans or use CPUs
>> which don't need noisy fans in the first place.
>
> You're referring to the somewhat noisier AMD CPUs, which I am using.

No, I'm referring to things like the Joshua/Jerico CPUs, which dn't need a
fan at all.

> But CPU fan is not the only noise source. Don't forget about disk drives,

Disk drive noise is combatted by going to 7200rpm (yes, seriously!), and
using acoustic isolation mounts. Almost all the noise you hear is
amplified by the chassis acting as a sounding board.

> video card fan

Bigger, slower fans. Get 120MM (or larger) case fans, run them on 5V instead of 12V
and they're almost inaudible. For video card fans, use 80mm fans at 5V, etc.

> and PSU fan.

See comment above. Check out Enermax EG365AX-VE (W) FCA series and related PSUs

> Conclusion - The enclosure as described gives the best silencing for the
> buck. I have to focus my attention to be able to hear any computer noise
> now.

You've done it your way, but that's not suitable for a lot of home users
or offices, especially seeing as putting a PC on the floor is the worst
possible location you can imagine (under desk is the absolute pits, lots
of stirred up dust every time someone moves a chair).

Noise _is_ an issue, people are starting to realise this with home
theatres, etc and other things requiring PCs in bedrooms or lounges.

"Aaron Lawrence" wrote
| Experiment a little after deciding the max temp you're happy with. I'm
| happy with 50 C idle.

Really? wow, I wouldn't be... My cpus are maxed 24/7 and I wouldnt be happy
with them going over 60 ever... although they have reached 65 on hot days,
but then I just turn the fans up(rheostat)

On Mon, 11 Aug 2003 23:56:33 +1200, Aaron Lawrence wrote:

> Thus spake Craig Sutton:
>> I am thinking just pulling the cpu out of the socket cleaning the dust
>> and crap out of it that should improve things.
>
> That'll improve cooling but most CPU fans aren't temperature sensitive so
> it won't help noise.
>
> Cheap solution, whack a small resistor in the +12V. YOu can generally drop
> the noise by at least half.
>
> Experiment a little after deciding the max temp you're happy with. I'm
> happy with 50 C idle.

In my experience a series resistor will often not allow the fan to start
due to startup current draw - a zener diode or voltage regulator will work
better. The last thing you want is to throttle it too much so that there
is a risk of it not starting some day.

Murray