Computer silencer?

[stoffe]

I've recently bought a new computer, and while it is otherwise working fine it is noisy like a jet engine. It's so bad you can't be in the same room for very long without it being painful to your ears. It is really normal for computers to be this noisy nowadays? I thought my old machine made a lot of noise, but after using the new one for a while it can barely be heard in comparison.

 

Do anyone know if there is something that can be done, changed or added in order to lower the noise level (aside from opening it up and removing a few fans, which would probably cause the thing to overheat instead, I suppose they are there for a reason)? I can't be the only one who mind sitting next to a machine making such terrible noise for a few hours a day...

[Det. Bart Lasiter]

You could try getting some sound proofing, fan silencers, HD silencer(s), or a fan controller.

[mimartin]

Thanks jmac7142. I have a similar problem with my computer as stoffe-mkb-. My fan motor on my Dell at work is really loud. I've just turned the A/C down really low and the fan would eventually turn off. Even though I like the cold, others in the office might want me to find another solution. Thanks.

[REDJOHNNYMIKE]

Personally I miss my noisy old corrupted hard drive, I like loud computers.

 

Is it feasible for you to set the main tower on the other side of something, like behind/under a desk? That would be mucho cheaper even if it doesn't dampen the sound all that much.

 

I'm not sure about what equipment is available (mufflers for fan vents?) but I just have a box fan sitting next to me so can't even hear my computer or even what I'm playing. Of course this isn't feasible either if you're cold blooded.

[Astrotoy7]

Yeah, try those above listed options. Otherwise you can spring for a new case. I know GMC make the trinity x-21 case which is already sound proofed and iltra quiet. Zalman, who are the ultimate silent hardware maufacturers make noiseless cases, but they are super expensive...

 

I myself like the futuristically gaudy Asus Vento 3600, looks like a cross between some anime car and vacuum cleaner I love my new red one tho. I love the way the front maske gently slides up and back

 

 

mtfbwya

[Pho3nix]

I've recently bought a new computer, and while it is otherwise working fine it is noisy like a jet engine. It's so bad you can't be in the same room for very long without it being painful to your ears. It is really normal for computers to be this noisy nowadays? I thought my old machine made a lot of noise, but after using the new one for a while it can barely be heard in comparison.

 

Sounds like a Dell computer to me.

[stoffe]

Yeah, try those above listed options. Otherwise you can spring for a new case. I know GMC make the trinity x-21 case which is already sound proofed and iltra quiet. Zalman, who are the ultimate silent hardware maufacturers make noiseless cases, but they are super expensive...

 

Thanks for the advise everyone, hopefully it will be of use.

 

The relatively cheap case is probably the biggest culprit I'd guess, so replacing it might be the most effective way of doing it. Though switching cases may be a bit too technical for me to pull off, since I'm not very handy with hardware.

 

Zalman is supposed to produce the most silent hardware? All 3 fans inside my new computer seem to be Zalman fans, and if this is supposed to be "silent" you'd have to wear earplugs when sitting in front of the computer with hardware from other manufacturers. Odd.

 

 

Sounds like a Dell computer to me.

 

Nah, it's some no-brand AMD Athlon 64 3500+ with an nVidia nForce motherboard and a ATI Radeon X1900XT graphics card. I'll have to learn to remember to listen to a computer before buying it in the future. I've had to encase the noisy thing with thick pillows to make the sound a little more tolerable for now until a more permanent solution can be implemented.

[Astrotoy7]

lolz...the fans may or may not be making the noise. Zalman have noisy fans and silent ones too. You're compy wouldve been more expensive if it came with premium components from them, believe me!

 

Here's a pic of a Zalman noiseless case I was referring to....it is FREAKISHLY quiet...absolutely noiseless. If there werent images on your monitor you seriously would think it isnt on. A musician friend of mine has one, but like I said, it is VERY expensive. They GMC is a more affordable option - but a bit harder to find

 

 

mtfbwya

[Det. Bart Lasiter]

lolz...the fans may or may not be making the noise. Zalman have noisy fans and silent ones too. You're compy wouldve been more expensive if it came with premium components from them, believe me!

 

Here's a pic of a Zalman noiseless case I was referring to....it is FREAKISHLY quiet...absolutely noiseless. If there werent images on your monitor you seriously would think it isnt on. A musician friend of mine has one, but like I said, it is VERY expensive. They GMC is a more affordable option - but a bit harder to find

 

 

mtfbwya

The Zalman heatsinks included with those can only cool up to a Radeon 9700, and I have a feeling that the optional heatsink for Radeon 9800s and up may not be enough for an X1900-series card either.

[Jeremia Skywalk]

Hm, this used to be problem for me too, i mean, i almost never turn my pc off, all the downloads i have... The time i sit at comp just isn't enough for my sucky download speed. Well, after you sleep with a comp like that for couple of nights you get used to it.

[The Source]

I've recently bought a new computer, and while it is otherwise working fine it is noisy like a jet engine. It's so bad you can't be in the same room for very long without it being painful to your ears. It is really normal for computers to be this noisy nowadays? I thought my old machine made a lot of noise, but after using the new one for a while it can barely be heard in comparison.

 

Do anyone know if there is something that can be done, changed or added in order to lower the noise level (aside from opening it up and removing a few fans, which would probably cause the thing to overheat instead, I suppose they are there for a reason)? I can't be the only one who mind sitting next to a machine making such terrible noise for a few hours a day...

You could have bought a computer with a defective fan.

[Darth333]

The relatively cheap case is probably the biggest culprit I'd guess, so replacing it might be the most effective way of doing it.

 

If you are considering buying a new case, Antec also makes good sound proof cases (and PSUs) without flashy lights (some people may find them a bit sober depending on their taste): http://www.antec.com/ec/pro_enclosures.html

 

...and switching cases is not difficult

[Astrotoy7]

The Zalman heatsinks included with those can only cool up to a Radeon 9700, and I have a feeling that the optional heatsink for Radeon 9800s and up may not be enough for an X1900-series card either.

 

c'mon, theyre not gaming cases. You'd be bananas if you bought one where gaming was your predom activity, especially a monster card like the x1900. Dont even contemplate trying to stick in any multiple GPU config.

 

@Darth333...you like antec cases?? : Zzzzzzzzzzz lolz though their 'shark' case(yeahm stupid name) has the great removable mobo tray

 

If I hadnt gone for the asus, I wouldve chosen something equally sleek. We all buy curved sleeker cars, why get a boxy ugly computer case !

 

That asus vento is exactly what I wanted.... Kudos to the technophile fruitcakes that designed it

 

mtfbwya

[stingerhs]

actually, switching out the case fans is probably one of the best (and cheapest) things you can do to quiet a noisy case. just pay attention to the sizes and the PSU connectors when you choose a new fan.

 

otherwise, the main culprit could be the Radeon X1900. depending on the manufactuer, those cards can have some serious noise issues once the RPM cranks up. who was the manufactuer for that card?

[stoffe]

actually, switching out the case fans is probably one of the best (and cheapest) things you can do to quiet a noisy case. just pay attention to the sizes and the PSU connectors when you choose a new fan.

 

otherwise, the main culprit could be the Radeon X1900. depending on the manufactuer, those cards can have some serious noise issues once the RPM cranks up. who was the manufactuer for that card?

 

Hmm, how do you tell if a replacement fan is more quiet than what you already have? It would be quite like me to get a new fan only to learn that it's no quieter than what it was supposed to replace. I'm not very good at computer hardware.

 

The graphics card is a Connect3D Radeon X1900XT, don't know if there are any other designations for it. While it may well be the source the computer is very noisy even when I'm not doing anything with it, not just when doing something graphics intensive (though the noise level does rise somewhat when playing graphics intensive games like TR:Legend or TES4:Oblivion).

[stingerhs]

to check to see if the case fans are causing the problem, an easy way to check it is to simply pop the cover off the case, unplug the fans, and turn on the computer (just make sure you do that in a cooler room with good ventilation if you'll be leaving the computer on for an extended period). if the noise level is dramatically reduced, then you definately found the problem.

 

when you get new fans, just check the decibel (db) rating on the fan. if the fan is rated under 40db, then it'll be quiet enough that it won't be very noticeable. silent fans will be rated @ 25db or less.

 

as for the card, i've never used a Connect3D card, but from your description the card is behaving normally (most newer cards increase the fan speed during intensive graphics operations). i just mentioned that because some third party companies just use the stock fan/cooler from ATI and run the fan at a higher RPM level to compensate for any changes made to the hardware (like overclocking).

[Astrotoy7]

.... third party companies just use the stock fan/cooler from ATI and run the fan at a higher RPM level to compensate for any changes made to the hardware (like overclocking).

 

lolz...ever wondered why third party versions of high end graphics cards seem to cost much cheaper than their original nvida/ATI or specialist overclocked counterparts...?? 2 words: quality control.

 

Not all their party brands use ATI/nvidias components(apart from the gpu)...Friends of mine have had numerous problems with the xpertvision, gigabyte, MSI etc cards. Ive never had any problems with my original ATI, nvidia or XFX cards in these instances, the old addage "you get what you pay for" rings very true !

 

mtfbwya

[stingerhs]

^^^^

actually, there are some third-party companies that i prefer over a stock ATI or Nvidia card. for example, i prefer to use BFG Tech and XFX cards over a stock Nvidia card, and i prefer a Sapphire card over a stock ATI. i'll sometimes consider a Powercolor card over an ATI card as well, but that one is going to depend on price.

 

however, you did get that right about some of these third-party companies. cheaper coolers and underclocked versions of the cards are not uncommon if you take the time to look at the specs.