FYI, I was using Audacity to measure the volume emitted by my PC. I calibrated my microphone first using the free "scan" program (sound card ANalyzer), but I'm not sure if it matters.
The minor mod I did made a big difference in noise: 3 db - a 30% drop in intensity. There was no change in max temperatures. The mod was to simply stick a box-shaped piece of styrofoam to completely cover the hole-filled back vent area (by the PCI cards). The styrofoam was large enough to fill as much area as a rectangle could, and as thick as possible without interfering with the upside-down power supply fan. IIRC it's roughly 12 inches high, 6 inches wide, and 4 inches deep. I cut it from the case's packing materials.
This change might only work because my microphone was to the left of, in front, and above the PC case, which is I where I sit too. I could hear the difference, however. Hopefully it drops the noise at any angle.
I'm not sure if this mod will help everyone - everyone's PC is a little different. Before I tried this, I had tape over the back vent area by the PCI cards to help improve airflow and avoid vortices and unchecked dust entrance. I changed my fans a bit to give positive air pressure (to avoid sucking dust in through cracks like the floppy and DVD drives). I have the standard two front fans, one back fan, and a 120mm Tri Cool side fan I bought, but they are all blowing in. My CPU fan is a Thermaltake Big Typhoon with its fan reversed, so it blows out. The 200mm fan on top blows out still - I didn't change this - and my power supply has a VERY slow 140mm fan blowing out. I have makeshift dust filters (I'm can't decide between pantyhose and sheer fabric. I found that used fabric strips from the clothes dryer are too flimsy and get sucked in touch the fans too easily).
The minor mod I did made a big difference in noise: 3 db - a 30% drop in intensity. There was no change in max temperatures. The mod was to simply stick a box-shaped piece of styrofoam to completely cover the hole-filled back vent area (by the PCI cards). The styrofoam was large enough to fill as much area as a rectangle could, and as thick as possible without interfering with the upside-down power supply fan. IIRC it's roughly 12 inches high, 6 inches wide, and 4 inches deep. I cut it from the case's packing materials.
This change might only work because my microphone was to the left of, in front, and above the PC case, which is I where I sit too. I could hear the difference, however. Hopefully it drops the noise at any angle.
I'm not sure if this mod will help everyone - everyone's PC is a little different. Before I tried this, I had tape over the back vent area by the PCI cards to help improve airflow and avoid vortices and unchecked dust entrance. I changed my fans a bit to give positive air pressure (to avoid sucking dust in through cracks like the floppy and DVD drives). I have the standard two front fans, one back fan, and a 120mm Tri Cool side fan I bought, but they are all blowing in. My CPU fan is a Thermaltake Big Typhoon with its fan reversed, so it blows out. The 200mm fan on top blows out still - I didn't change this - and my power supply has a VERY slow 140mm fan blowing out. I have makeshift dust filters (I'm can't decide between pantyhose and sheer fabric. I found that used fabric strips from the clothes dryer are too flimsy and get sucked in touch the fans too easily).
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram