The first few steps to a quiet system.

[Propaganda13]

Before I start, this is not a review, just what I did to my own system. As far as being accurate, I tried to keep everything constant so I and others could get an idea of real world performance difference, but by no means is the a lab or professional review, so you can leave those posts at the door.

My shopping list:

http://bgm.bgmicro.com/prodinfo.asp?...ri=FAN&stype=2
5 80mm Panaflo L1A's

http://www.pcmods.com/list.asp?CtgID=24
Panaflo Tails because I'm lazy

http://www.kdcomputers.com/
Alpha 8045, fan grills, rubber spacers, screws, Sanyo Denki 36cfm/29db, and a Sunon 36cfm/30db

I have an economic case, the Enlight 7237. Nothing fancy because I don't look at it. Cooling included the Vantec CCK6035D with a 7K screamer on it with a Sunon 36cfm/30db fan as exhaust and the standard weak Magic fan as intake. I had enlarged the air holes in the front bezel. The HSF was loud enough to hear across the apartment.
I used both MBM5 and mbprobe to determine temps, and they're accurate compared to what I read in BIOS. Blah, Blah, Blah. That was the standard you can't compare disclaimer.
With a room temp of 21C, Idle was 26C case and 51C cpu
Load consists on 15 minutes of Toast at high Priority.
If you don't think that's enough, try it before you say anything. http://www.overclockersonline.com/?page=downloads

Load was 28 case, and 63C.
This is a standard range for a 1.4GHz Tbird and the Gigabyte GA-7DXR. The cpu temp sensor rest against the back of the cpu resulting in a lot higher reported temps. Usually about a 10C difference compared to a sensor that measures air temp in the socket, this info I got from people who own multiple systems.

Typing next post..............

[Propaganda13]

I removed the factory grill on the exhaust and replaced it with a wire grill. The exhaust fan was replaced by an L1A. Now for some modding with a tin snips, drill, and file. Long story short. I now have 2 L1A's with wire grills as intakes. These fans are positioned lower than the original. Speaker is mounted inside the case. A good alternative to this would have been a 120mm L1A.

I removed the Vantec CCK6035D, not removing the cpu, so I wouldn't move the temp sensor. Applied the ASII, and popped on the Alpha 8045 with two washers on top of the screws. I had to take a notch out of the corner of the Alpha, so it would not hit a capacitor. It took a few seconds with a hacksaw blade. Also note that you will need a small screwdriver (the general computer kit kind) to install the Alpha. I mounted an L1A with wire grill sucking air off the heat sink. Sucking, blowing and the other fans will be experimented with. I just wanted to post this first.

Room 21C
Idle 23C case 43C cpu
Load 23C case 52C cpu
Noise level is very quiet. Never thought the 40mm Northbridge fan could sound so loud. That's next, and then probably the PSU fan.
I'll experiment with other fans, and do more system heating rather than just cpu heating tests.

[Terrorbyte]

Step 1, Lian-Li PC60
Step 2, Enermax 350-450 Dual Fan P/S.
Step 3, buy a g-w screamer and heaps of 56cfm Sunon 80mm fans
Step 4, use headphones instead of speakers.
Step 5, Enjoy shooting aliens with a cold beer at hand.

[Propaganda13]

Not much of an update because I've been busy with work, etc.

I tried the no fan approach. Unplugged the Panaflo, and watched the idle temp slowly creep up to 60C. At this point, I shut the system down. I didn't think it would work, but hey it was worth a try.

I've decided that the PSU will be modded very soon.
Still looking for a replacement northbridge chipset cooler. I might go without a fan since I'm not OC'in right now.

[Rdracer66]

Looking fwd to the next update
i'm lookign to quiet my system down as well
since i keep it on over anite and the computers are in my bedroom
i was thinking of going with some kind of accoustic foam or something that car installers use


Rd

[Propaganda13]

Dynamat that is used for cars is supposed to raise temps. I think most people who used it though use whole sheets. I would think strips would work just fine, since it's there mostly to reduce vibrations and absorb low frequencies.
Dynamat does make computer kits now, they seem to have foil on them, probably to reflect heat instead of absorbing it.
Akasa Pax Mate has gotten good reviews, but don't know of any US retailers.
I haven't heard anything about the Sonex Acoustical Foam which www.2cooltek.com sells.
Since a lot of computer setups have their exhaust and psu fans face a wall, the towel trick or a higher tech equivalent will prevent noise from fans from reflecting off the wall. Make sure there's enough room in back though, so your fans can breathe and get rid off hot air.

[Propaganda13]

At the same room temp. I switched the L1A around so that it is blowing. There is a 1C drop in both idle and load temps. Case temp is 1C higher(weird).
I notice that cpu fan has switched it's pitch. It's hard to explain, but for me, it's irritating. I'll switch the L1A back to sucking.

Edit: Think the pitch change is due to a weird interaction with the psu fan. Since that's getting replaced I'll save judgment for later.

[Propaganda13]

Next Update:

Sanyo Denki 36.4 cfm 29db
Put it on sucking (man, I've got to come up with different phrases)
System temp is back to 23C. I believe the fluctuation before is due the airflow across the motherboard. Sucking is cool air across it, blowing is hot air.
Again another 1C drop for both. Noise level has increased, but it's still fairly quiet. The Sanyo Denki added a louder soft rushing air sound to the mix. I'd definitely recommend it for the people looking for the extra cooling, but still want a quiet system.

Recap so far
Idle Load System
L1A sucking 43C 52C 23C
L1A blowing 42C 51C 24C
Sanyo Denki sucking 41C 50C 23C

Geez, I think I see a pattern developing.

[jonbird]

Checkout www.siliconacoustics.com for all kinds of silent pc stuff.

[Propaganda13]

Cool, they sell the Via C3.

[Propaganda13]

LOL, I just realized that it's not the psu fan that's making "all that racket". It's the harddrive!

[Propaganda13]

Flipped the Sanyo Denki, and I dropped 2C at both ends.
That means so far I have dropped 3C on the system temps, 12C on idle temps, and a whole 15C on load temps!
Not to mention the ultimate goal of having a fairly quiet computer.
Just from heatsink fan alone, I went from 46.5db down to 29db in manufacturers specs. Considering a change of 10db will make it seem twice as loud (or quiet) since sound is logarithmic.

I still have work to do on it, but need to figure out what to do about the hard drive and northbridge.
I probably won't put the Sunon on unless I'm bored or someone wants me to.

I just wish I had another mobo to compare temps to since everyone says the 7DXR will report a 5-10C higher temp.
That means I'm in the low 30's

Word to the people: If you're not overclocking, what the hell are you doing with those loud ass fans?
I just wish I had the sense when I started out to do this.

[smoked trout]

Originally posted by Propaganda13
Word to the people: If you're not overclocking, what the hell are you doing with those loud ass fans?
I just wish I had the sense when I started out to do this.

AMEN!
I'm still trying to figure out how to mount an 80mm fan to my orbs...I may just hafta buy another heat sink that accepts 80mm fans and slap a Silencer or Panaflo on it. But I'd really like to figure out how to get this 80mm silencer mounted on the orb, anybody got any bailing wire? Or know of a good heatsink that accepts 80mm fans and fits on the 2460?


-trout

[Rdracer66]

What do u mean you flipped over the hsf fan ?
normally the hsf is blowing air on to the heatsink/cpu
how are u having it run ?

Rd
p.s where's a cheap place for those panaflows ?
and whast wrong with a intake fan
too much noise ?
and do they make a 60mm panaflo that is quiet ?
i'd love to put the 80 on it but i dont think i can fit it on the global win 32 fop heatsink or the xp 1800 oem hsf

[diehrd]

How do ya post a PIC here.

I started at 47c, 2x SK6, 6 case 80mm and 2 38cfm screamers from delta.{Have reduced heatsink fans to 30cfm}


I am at 41c quiet as a water system,,,,,, with air cooling !!

The trick is 2 PVC ducts directly over SK6 30cfm FANS,3 intake 80mm and 3 exhaust 80mm.{With screamers I was at 39c max...}

No more screamers for me.Oh room temp is 74 degrees as I heat room with a gas fired wood stove !

Sandra 2002 burn in ran for 30 min.

Temps checked by MBM 5
Tyan Temp moniter for the 2466
And bios temps after it sits in bios 30 minutes.

All 3 ways result in 41c max load.Wish I new how to post pics from my hard drive to here lol the ducts look awsom and cool perfectly !