Hi

my aunt got a good deal on a system
but the fan is over the top loud
its a custom computer
Pc Chips M8636 motherboard
amd athlon 2800

there is a vent on the side of the case as well, positioned over the processor cooling fan.

She's a writer and uses it mostly for word processing

any way to slow down this fan, or turn one off, or block one of the three vents on the case (front, side, back)

any idea's

thanks

Quote: Originally Posted by 4now Hi my aunt got a good deal on a system but the fan is over the top loud its a custom computer Pc Chips M8636 motherboard amd athlon 2800 there is a vent on the side of the case as well, positioned over the processor cooling fan. She's a writer and uses it mostly for word processing any way to slow down this fan, or turn one off, or block one of the three vents on the case (front, side, back) any idea's thanks

Well, firstly - get a new CPU cooler - something by Zalman or thermalright seem to be the flavours at the moment. Those stock coolers kick out a ton of noise.

Secondly - are there any other fans in the case? if so, you could either change them for larger ones and/or hook them up to a fan controller to keep the RPM's down

Oh, leave the vents open - air is good

Hope that helps a bit

Yeah definately move to bigger fans, they'll spin quicker and kick out much less noise.

I thought there would be more fans with the amount of noise this was making
I was expecting to see at least 8!

but when I opened it up all I saw was one over the processor
I thought the processor looked rather large & the fan too

much larger than mine

anyway thanks so much for your advice

I'm totally clueless here, but how would I know which fans (makes, sizes) I could use.

is it possible to replace the processor fan? or is that a n o no

Is the case dusty at all? Dust can also be a colprit in noise..

Most case fans are 80mm, and considering the CPU fan is stock its probably a 60mm fan. There are others such as 92mm and 120mm, with 120mm being the biggest.

no dust - it's brand new

so I can replace the 60mm stock fan with any of the larger sizes you mention?

Yeah as long as the case is big enough. If its midi tower or above then it will easily accomodate a 120mm fan that will run at lower revs, be more efficient and hopefully be quieter.

Quote: Originally Posted by 4now no dust - it's brand new so I can replace the 60mm stock fan with any of the larger sizes you mention?

Well, not really. You can get a better heatsink with a quieter fan.

Quote: Originally Posted by 4now no dust - it's brand new so I can replace the 60mm stock fan with any of the larger sizes you mention?

You'll need to get a new heatsink also I'd imagine - welcome to PC technicianville
If it's quiet you're after - click on some of the sponsor ad banners here - frozen CPU is a good place to start - look up CPU cooling - I'd recommend a zalman one if you can afford it - they come with good instructions on installation and will cut the noise down by a HEAP!

Stick around - some deal hunters will most probably be along with some good recommendations

EDIT: Well, I had a free minute (i'm at work) here's a couple in order that I'd get them - I don't know what budget you'd be working with though, but considering that it'd only be for word processing, not top-end stuff (close enough though!) Oh, maybe look in the case and add an intake fan too - it'll supply the whole case with cooler air and help the hardware last longer (withought generating much more noise)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835118112
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835185126
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835106068
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835185123
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835106030

Quick fan tip. My video card fan started getting realllyyyy loud. I didn't want to replace it so i took it apart.
Put some high performance grease i had on it, ( U know that red grease in a can), it now runs smooth.

Quote: Originally Posted by musclecars&computers Quick fan tip. My video card fan started getting realllyyyy loud. I didn't want to replace it so i took it apart. Put some high performance grease i had on it, ( U know that red grease in a can), it now runs smooth.

Yeah - that's all good too

Also, if you're a bit sketched out on changing a heatsink out, maybe get a fan adapter like one of these:
http://www.frozencpu.com/duc-04.html and pop a 92mm fan on

I couldn't find anything on Newegg, but I wonder if we can find a fanless cooling solution for him. I doubt he'll be overclocking his aunt's 2800

right

I don't want to get too adventurous with her computer

its not my own

looking for a simple fix for her.

but I don't mind other suggestions, because I've been wanting to make my own desktop as silent as possible. Kind of like my laptop

great for working

is the system loud from the second you turn it on... or does it get louder after a minute or two?

if it gets louder after a min or two... it may be because of the hinksink not being on correctly, two little thermal paste, cpu fan plugged in wrong fan port, or bios detecting the temp wrong...

You have a digital camera? Take a picture, maybe its as easy as swapping the fan out for a quiet one. If its still loud then you're goin to have to think of other methods like a new heatsink and thermal paste, which isnt hard but isnt something that should be done without precaution.

For a 2600 a zalman 3k series would probably be ok if the case has decent intake and outtake fans, my friend runs his 3000 with a 6000cu without the included fan since he has a side panel fan and an exhaust fan right behind it and his temps are rediculously low.

One point to this thread I'd like to emphasize is there are fans, and there are fans... (obviously..lol..).

For instance....if we stick to one size for the moment... there are loud 80mm's who move a decent
amount of air but there are silent ones moving the same amount of air! Those "silent" fans have;

-different bearing constructions & material
-different amount of fan blades, shape of the blades & positioning of the blades
-different rotor design & different "housing" designs or even alternative materials (Artic Cooling, anyone?)

In short.... they are more cleverly designed using better materials.... that's what makes them more
silent...So... I guess you should find out what fan is on it, post the details here & we can help you find
a proper replacement....

Fitting the fan "decoupled" using rubber or slicone frames, washers or mountings will help reduce
vibration noise considerably...

The following site is very interesting, it contains reviews of fans & sound samples of those starting at 0v going all the way up to 12v... that way you know just how it will sound!!;
http://www.silenthardware.de/reviews...pst/index.html

It's in German but easy to understand...

And there is another point.... some fans may move more air at a lower voltage (like 7v) then another
fan at 12v but sound the same at 7v then the other one at 12v! Confusing, aint it (but fun, imho)...

Anyway, we are here to help you, so don't worry!

TDR

yeah a snapshot would be a great idea

too bad I won't see my aunt for a few weeks. Just guessing - I must have a 60mm and she must have a 80mm because I remember hers looking bigger. then again everything looked bigger inside her computer - even the ram stick. It looked like it was made by Fisher Price.

I think I will look into my own system today
stay tuned

you guys have been great

first -- a question I forgot to answer
my aunt's fan is loud from the moment you hit the power on button.
it doesn't sound defected - just loud
just looking inside my computer, I've changed my mind and now think she also has a 60mm.

anyway..

ok now here's my own computer
it has an AOpen case & power supply.
and a Asus A7nx-x motherboard (i measured the radius of the fan to be 60mm.)
AMD Athlon XP 2700+

2 pics included -- appear to be the only 2 fan sources



-my computer is not overly noisy - and has remained at the same noise level for the two years I've had it. I would just love to make it quieter - to help me with my work

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If i may suggest one thing before going to a bigger heatsink and fan, make sure you have the room for it and nothing will abstruct or interfere with it and will not interfere with any other components in your mom pc.