Case Fans - Do we really need them

wick05 · **20th September 2005, 01:23 PM**

My system has alot of fans ( video card, cpu, motherboard and psu ) is there really a need for the 3 case fans that my Silverstone LC14m has.
With 7 fans the noise levels are quite bad. Do I replace the noisey components with quieter ones or could I simply turn off the case fans.

Akuma · **20th September 2005, 02:16 PM**

Yes, you need case fans to draw in cool air (unless you want the computer to bake from the inside out), though probably not all three are needed.

The loudest ones will be the two rear 60mm fans, I recommend replacing them with quieter models. You can easily do away with the front fan.

frenzz · **20th September 2005, 02:43 PM**

wick05,

I can highly recommend the SilenX iXtrema Quiet Fans... they are efficient and mighty quiet... if I recall correctly you would require 2 x 60mm & 1 x 92mm on a SilverStone if it's the same as my 10M.

I've also purchased a Zalman Northbridge Cooler for my motherboard chipset fan and an Artic Cooling Silencer for my CPU... I found the standard CPU/motherboard and case fans to be the worst offenders in my system.

Bundle that with a fanless graphics card and my machine is now running pretty quiet.

Once you get the 'silent' bug... you'll keep trying new ways to reduce those db... the following is an interestin thread... We all Want a Silent PC... What are your tricks?

Good luck!

frenzz.

wick05 · **20th September 2005, 03:05 PM**

Sounds like I have a few things to try.

I will replace the two 60mm fans first.....see what the noise level is like then remove/replace the 92mm fan.
The cpu fan will be replaced also. Iam really hoping that I dont have to change the video card (maybe some modding to do)

frenzz · **20th September 2005, 03:24 PM**

wick05,

http://www.pccasegear.com.au/ is a great site for purchasing the fans and coolers... I've picked up all my 'silencing' stuff from them - great service and reasonable prices.

You could also check out the Zalman/Thermaltake type fanless VGA coolers... not badly priced and will save you from a new graphics card if you really want to quieten it down but not replace it...

I was shocked by the noise on my stock MSI motherboard... two NOISY fans... so I replaced the Northbridge and just disconnected the mosfet fan as the heatsink did a good enough job...

Hope this all helps... keep us informed on your changes and progress!

frenzz.

wick05 · **20th September 2005, 08:46 PM**

Thanks Frenz, I checked out the site and it is really good, thanks for the heads up....
I will get the SilenX 60mm fans, I couldnt find any iXtrema fans though.....
And will keep on researching the other things. I will let you know how it goes......

frenzz · **20th September 2005, 10:16 PM**

Hey...

Not a problem... the iXtrema is just the model... the SIlenX fans you get from the site will be this model... they just dont list it.

Glad to be of assistance...

Hey - my 100th post... how about that! Plenty more to come...

Thanks,

frenzz.

woohoo · **20th September 2005, 11:58 PM**

Wick05

I sympathise with your problem. I couldn't put up with the noise of my original system so put in a fair amount of effort to quieten it down. I've more or less got it licked - pretty much never hear my fans at all now, except when the CPU is working hard (ripping more than one CD does it). Basically your ability to quieten your setup depends on your CPU heat output and where you have your box. My CPU is a p4 3.0 and I have a Silverstone LC10 with lots of ventilation close to the ground. For what it's worth, this is what I did..

(1) Put in a Zalman 7700-AlCu CPU cooler (I think the all copper ones would be even better) which came with a Zalman fan regulator if I remember correctly. I turned the regulator down to the lowest point (less than 1000 rpm). I can't hear it unless my ear's on it. This pushes my CPU temp up to around 55-58 degrees at normal operation, but that doesn't bother me.

(2) I use 2x SilenX 60mm at the rear of the case. One of them I have running all the time - but I've put another regulator on that one and cut the speed down to around half - can't hear it. But it's enough to vent the box for my needs. I run the other SilenX off my BIOS temperature control, so it only cuts in very rarely when the machine is running hotter than usual (ripping, video conversion)

(3) I have another SilenX at the front running off the BIOS temperature control as well - almost never gets used.

(4) I reckon the video card fan was my biggest culprit. I had a 6600 as well - with a fan. I replaced that with a Zalman heatsink. Bliss. You've got to get rid of that one.

With no other noise around, I hear zero fan noise at around 1 metre from the PC.

One thing I should do is get the regulator controls back out of the box so I can manually turn them up when I'm ripping/working with video.

Good luck with it.

simbot82 · **21st September 2005, 12:32 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by frenzz

Hey...

Not a problem... the iXtrema is just the model... the SIlenX fans you get from the site will be this model... they just dont list it.

Glad to be of assistance...

Hey - my 100th post... how about that! Plenty more to come...

Thanks,

frenzz.

And they have all been very helpful. Well done mate

frenzz · **21st September 2005, 01:11 AM**

Thanks Simbot...

Hey woohoo... some great information you've passed on... have some rep points...

frenzz.

wick05 · **21st September 2005, 10:21 AM**

Cheers woohoo

I shall order these parts today.....not real sure on how to get those fans kicking in and out through the bios, but will get to that once they arrive so Iam sure you'll here more from me then....and again thanks for the info as this is the main gripe of mine...and well done frenz on your 100th post..

Gruelius · **22nd September 2005, 01:23 AM**

Really the only fans you would need/want is just a 12cm exhale positioned properly and a 12cm inahle that is infront of the harddisks. I read somewhere that every degree lessened is approxiametly 1 year extra for its half life