ahh, not a single fan over 1500 rpm (sonata)

Fillman · § #1 05-26-2003, 06:57 AM

Finally peace and quiet. The reason - my new Sonata case. Had to do something, the constant whirl of fans was driving me to distraction. Still I was worried - could it really handle an AMD system w/o resorting to high output fans? And how about the front bezel, would the system get enough air? Looked like it had potential for a quiet system given the features, but I figured it would run hot. Was pleasently surprised with actual results though. For the fans:

For cpu cooling - Papst 8412NGL, 19 cfm, 12 dba (sink = alpha 8045)
Inlet 120 - Vantec stealth set at 1000 rpm via fanmate
Outlet 120 - Stock 120 on voltage controlled fan connector
PS - Antec 380, special single fan "quiet" version

Idle temps (2400+) have been running 38-39c and case temps 19-21. Case temps always hover within 1-2 deg of ambient - very impressive. This case is very efficient at removing heat. The PS fan runs a modest 1400-1500 rpm 90% of the time. I'm running the FSB at 200 so the NB, SB (nf2) need access to good cooling air.

Showing its not necessarily the volume thats important, but flow pattern thats key to effective cooling. My old case had twice the flow, ten times the noise, for about the same temp results. Great job Antec!

chocoruacal · § #2 05-27-2003, 10:46 AM

Its nice, isn't it

I have a slk3700...1x120mm 7 volted exhaust and AX7 w/18dba/18cfm NBM ducted to a hole in the side...silence

The stock Antec PS fans are pretty quiet, but I'm thinking of ripping them out and replacing them with NMBs. After that, just gotta convince HD makers to keep things quiet

The only drawback is that I can't pimp a glowing, 10 fanned case in my sig

Wombat Soldier · § #3 05-27-2003, 07:12 PM

I've been considering getting one of these ever since they came out. It would be so nice to have a quiet, small case, since I'm pretty much bored with case modding anyway. I have a question though, compared to your old case, did your temps rise or drop? Also how much does that case weigh?

-Nick

Fillman · § #4 05-27-2003, 07:47 PM

Nice to encounter a fellow silent computing afficianado! Recent switch in focus for me. I did the oc'ing thing for awhile, going as far as installing wc'ing. That was an effort LOL. Difference I'm discovering is that the sastifaction I get from a silent system is much greater then what I ever got from oc'ing. Still a rare pursuit, but interest will grow in time I believe.

Good luck with yr efforts. Those NMB fans have a good rep.

Quote:

The only drawback is that I can't pimp a glowing, 10 fanned case in my sig

Heh heh

Fillman · § #5 05-27-2003, 07:59 PM

Quote:

I have a question though, compared to your old case, did your temps rise or drop? Also how much does that case weigh?

The Sonata runs cooler then my previous case. Weight wise its pretty decent, but its still a steel case. Weight according to the box is 20.8 lbs.

clement · § #6 05-27-2003, 08:03 PM

Heh, I got one myself too (just recently) I love the way the hard drives are mounted. I can hear my laptop on the other side of the room with my desktop on now! Now I'm afraid it may have got me hooked though, I'm constantly looking for ways to quiet down my case just a little bit more, the hard drive doesn't help of course but it is quiet enough and there is no way in hell I'll give up that baby! Now I need to put that Zalman heatpipe on my videocard. Paint job on it is excellent, for the time being anyway, I can't see myself cleaning it enough to keep it looking nice.

Love the huge fans! 120cm in/out heat controlled PS fans, and a 92mm fan over the proc. Never used such big fans like that before

Wombat Soldier · § #7 05-28-2003, 05:51 AM

Looks like I'll be rolling my change and gettin this case soon! I feel so bad abandoning my heavily modded, loud, bright, and cold case though. Maybe I can sell it at a LAN party so it will have a nice new home

-Nick

Fillman · § #8 05-28-2003, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Looks like I'll be rolling my change and gettin this case soon!

Another convert, alright!

Auraka · § #9 05-28-2003, 10:05 AM

I'll reserve my opinion until I get a new PS, as the one supplied didn't regulate its' internal or external fan speed at all, 2700RPM at startup and never slowed down. I just ordered a Vantec ThermalFlow 120mm too, thinking it might be a little more responsive to case heat from the mobo/video/processor areas. We'll see.

Other than the PS issue, Antec branding and restrictive lower front bezel, the case has the best and most efficient layout I've ever seen.

PretzelB · § #10 05-28-2003, 11:02 AM

So does the intake fan really do anything? I would think that having the intake fan pulling air from the far side of the HDD cage would not accomplish much, at least it wouldn't seem like it could pull any cool air through the front bezel. I would think the temps would be the same with or without it.

monkiman · § #11 05-28-2003, 01:23 PM

I love my Sonata - but am suffering the same problem as Auraka.

Antec will RMA the PSU - but I don't really want to be without for the time it wil take.

Hanu · § #12 05-28-2003, 04:11 PM

120 mm fans are the way to go. I've had an AVC 90mm fan blowing hot air out of my case for a long time, but I finally got tired of its noise and bought Enermax UC12-FAB. I'm currently running it at maximum speed (30 dB) and it is considerably quieter. My temps dropped by a few degrees, too.

Auraka · § #13 05-28-2003, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Antec will RMA the PSU - but I don't really want to be without for the time it wil take.

Call them in about a week. Seems they are out of the 380S model until sometime next week, but they will cross ship with a credit card once they get them in.

I might just drop my TP430 in and run with it.

mdaniel · § #14 05-28-2003, 08:49 PM

After OCing the past four years and possessing a progressively noisier system each year, I too have converted to the pursuit of a quieter computer w/ mild OCing. I chose the more economical Antec 3700 for my quest though. I've come to learn that after living in a tornado the past few years, I'm as obsessed w/ silence as I ever was with OCing. Its just as addictive, but there is less information around as compared to OCing. Quieter fans are cheaper than fancier fans also. My case temps also dropped w/ this system that I tweak more silence out of every week or so.

Good luck w/ your endeavors.

Wombat Soldier · § #15 05-28-2003, 08:59 PM

I'm getting soooo close to having enough for one, after this weekend I'll be ordering it from newegg, along with a silent 120mm fan for the front intake