Quiet CPU fan recommendation?

[Lane]

I want to put a quiet fan in my computer.

1. Any recommended fans?

2. Are they fairly universal, if not, how do I know what to buy?

3. Sources?

Thanks

[thane1200]

Do you just need a CPU fan? Or do you need case fans too? CPU fans are not very universal as they must fit your CPU heat sink?

I have a 120mm case fan and 3 80MM case fans as well as the factory CPU fan. They are all pretty quiet. Let me pull the side panel off and I will tell you what brand they are (I forgot).

[Wire]

You should look into a liquid cooling system. You can get one for not too much more than a really high quality fan, and there is almost no noise and much cooler performance.

[Lane]

Well...now that I'm reading up on this, it looks like I need not only a cpu fan but power supply, which I think is making most of my noise, and probably a case fan too. I have to open the box and see how many fans are in there, I guess? I'll check out the liquid cooled ones too... anything else I should consider?

[Pro Tools User]

Originally Posted by Lane

I want to put a quiet fan in my computer.

1. Any recommended fans?

2. Are they fairly universal, if not, how do I know what to buy?

3. Sources?

Thanks

These items do a super job, check'm out.

http://www.quietpcusa.com/

Peace

[distortedrumble]

www.newegg.com look for any fans at 25db or below

[mshilarious]

I use quietpc too, but the local CompUSA has started to stock some good stuff. Check out this pack, it has gaskets for your PSU & fan, plus silicon washers, plus enough extra silicon washers for two HDs:

http://www.compusa.com/products/prod...ct_code=306801

[altiris]

look into fanless power suppies. A-open makes some.

[Deluks]

I use an Enermax 'noisetaker PSU' which has 2 very quiet fans in it.
The thing with fanless PSU's is that you still need a way to remove hot air from the case, which means more case fans so it's all swings and roundabouts IMHO.

I'd also recommend a single 80mm/120mm fan at front and back of case to bring in fresh air/take out warm air. Attach a couple of Zalman fanmates on each of these, and turn the speed up to about halfway.

This will mean less hot air running up through your PSU, which will prevent it from ramping up speeds if it's automatic.

On the CPU, the big circular Zalman copper heatsinks with a large fan in the centre are very quiet (they also come with a fanmate) and Arctic cooling do some good quiet CPU fans.

Your weakest link at this point will certainly be your graphics card, they are usually very noisy, especially on high end models. Choose one with no fan or get a quiet cooler for it (again see Zalman or Arctic Cooling for options)

If your Motherboard has a fan on the Northbridge then that will also make a racket, consider replacing it with a passive cooler, Zalman (again!!) do a decent one.

I've also tried some of the PC Case acoustic foam but it doesn't really help unless your case is thin and flimsy in the first place.

Shop around because prices do vary from one retailer to the next. Specialists such as quiet PC and the like seem to charge a premium for quiet cooling products. You may find the same stuff cheaper at a local shop or computer fair.

Checkout http://www.silentpcreview.com/ for reviews.

If things get very bad consider lining your computer case with drywall and rockwool

Hope this helps! (and no I don't work for Zalman!)

[thane1200]

Originally Posted by mshilarious

I use quietpc too, but the local CompUSA has started to stock some good stuff. Check out this pack, it has gaskets for your PSU & fan, plus silicon washers, plus enough extra silicon washers for two HDs:

http://www.compusa.com/products/prod...ct_code=306801

Looks to be a decent deal.....might have to go and check this out, then I'll be stealth like a ninja!

[Deluks]

I wouldn't rely too heavily on the dampeners, the real noise comes from the speed at which your fans rotate, so you need to get this under control first. For the same $20 you could get a fan speed controller or about 4 zalman fanmates (only $4.99 at newegg.com) or try this kit...

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...999-118&depa=0

[Lane]

Interesting package - I like the speed control - but it doesnt say anything about how much noise it makes?

I found my case fan is dead, and my PS fan is turning slowly - my cpu fan is really, really loud... so I guess I need all three

[knightfly]

For another top-quality PS that's really quiet (and CLEAN power), check out PC Power and Cooling -

http://www.pcpowercooling.com/produc...lies/index.htm

Steve

[Dan Merrill]

I run a silenx 600w in mine, great PS and very quiet. You can hardly hear it running. They also have some great case fans.

www.silenx.com

[mshilarious]

Originally Posted by Deluks

I wouldn't rely too heavily on the dampeners, the real noise comes from the speed at which your fans rotate, so you need to get this under control first. For the same $20 you could get a fan speed controller or about 4 zalman fanmates (only $4.99 at newegg.com) or try this kit...

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...999-118&depa=0

I like to use quiet fans AND gaskets--and isolation is critical for hard drives.

I don't think it's a great idea to quiet down noisy fans with resistors. They need to be quiet but still do their job.

[Deluks]

Originally Posted by mshilarious

I like to use quiet fans AND gaskets--and isolation is critical for hard drives.

I don't think it's a great idea to quiet down noisy fans with resistors. They need to be quiet but still do their job.

Agreed about hard drives, the best thing for 'em is to lay them at the bottom of the case on a couple strips of neoprene, works a treat! As long as your case isn't required to be portable.

I would definitely suggest fan resistors though, you can usually drop the speed about halfway and they still do a perfectly good job, but you'll need a temps monitoring utility to keep an eye on things at first.

Tying loose cables in the case out of the way helps too (to improve airflow)

[thane1200]

Originally Posted by Deluks

I wouldn't rely too heavily on the dampeners, the real noise comes from the speed at which your fans rotate, so you need to get this under control first. For the same $20 you could get a fan speed controller or about 4 zalman fanmates (only $4.99 at newegg.com) or try this kit...

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...999-118&depa=0

True, I skimped on the fan controls as money was tight when I built my new computer. I got the LCD temp. and fan speed display, but no controller yet.

[punkin]

Zalman makes a computer case which is completely fanless...comes with a power supply. The case is an aluminum heat sink on wheels. A little spendy but looks like the final silent pc solution.

TNN 500AF is the latest version...here's the link to their website. http://www.zalmanusa.com/usa/product...dx=64&code=020

[aznwonderboy]

I am using:
PSU: Silenx 300w. <14db noise
CPU fan: Arctic Cooling Super Silent 4 TC 9-21b noise
graphic card: ATI radeon 9000 no fan=> 0db noise
Hard drive: Samsung SP-1604N very quiet...no clicking.

My computer is very quiet now; 2 feet away in a silent bedroom, and you will not even know that it's turned on.

The Arctic Cooling CPU fan is very cheap (under $10), and it's much more quiet than other expensive ones you can find. However, its cooling ability is only sufficient to keep the CPU heat at a very warm level. If you do any CPU-intense activity for several hours continuously, then the computer will reboot due to prolonged exposure to high heat. I would not recommend this CPU fan if you plan to convert long videos (video conversion takes a long time). I haven't had a problem with music recording and editing yet; the computer only uses intense CPU power during the actual recording and playback time. It's most likely that you won't record or playback for several hours STRAIGHT without pressing the stop button.

[Lane]

Thannks for all this help...

I've now installed a new PS thats very quiet and a Samari CPU fan that seems to be pretty quiet - but I also put in an Acoustifan 80mm case fan - the thing is noiser than the cheapo original! Maybe its the air holes in the case - I'm going to enlarge them - or maybe I have it blowing the wrong direction?

[gvarko]

Originally Posted by mshilarious

I use quietpc too, but the local CompUSA has started to stock some good stuff. Check out this pack, it has gaskets for your PSU & fan, plus silicon washers, plus enough extra silicon washers for two HDs:

http://www.compusa.com/products/prod...ct_code=306801

I have used this pack and it works great!! Quiets the fan nicely.. Circuit City has them as well...

[punkin]

Power supply fans are notoriously loud...for a totally silent power supply, have a look a this

http://www.xoxide.com/fanlesspsu.html

[Deluks]

Originally Posted by Lane

Maybe its the air holes in the case - I'm going to enlarge them - or maybe I have it blowing the wrong direction?

Well you'll need it at the back and blowing outwards. If you just have the 'drilled holes in chassis' type vent then I'd recommend cutting the whole thing out (carefully) with a dremel or similar, and getting a wire fan guard instead.

and I'd still get a fanmate, even the slightest reduction in fan speed can make a whole lot of difference!

[dejacky]

Listen to me carefully young grasshopper... DO NOT take any1's advice so far hehehe! Why? Because you can see the specs for yourself HERE --> http://gizzo.8m.com/fans/

[Deluks]

Wow, really useful link, cheers.

You will notice though, that the fans with the low noise also have the lowest RPM's, it all comes back to fan speeds.

My zalman cpu fan is currently at 1430rpm and my case exhaust fan is at 1288. Both are very quiet, and both have been adjusted with a fanmate.

My CPU (Athlon XP2800) rarely goes above 50 degs, and my motherboard rarely goes above 30 degs. Job done, get a fanmate, er mate