Fans in PC for audio recording

[jferejohn]

I see some posts with suggested configurations for building a pc for audio recording. I don't see specifics about fans. Are fans generally included with the case or do they always need to be purchased separately? What are the sizes so they can be matched up with the holes in the case?

 

[getochkn]

Some cases come with them, some don't. Every case will take different sizes, sometimes in different spots. IE, front of the case my be a 200mm, back is 120mm, and the top is 2x120mm's.

 

[makkem]

Hi
When choosing a case you might want to get one with large fans like 140 or 200 as these will run more quietly and if you require extra fans then go for silent ones.Your aim should be to run large fans as slowly as possible to minimize noise.

 

[why_wolf]

cases usually come with a couple cheap fans, you can buy more or better fans separately. For going as quite as possible you'd want larger fans and pair them up with a fan controller as well. That would let you drop the RPMs/noise down very low when doing low intensity tasks and then ramp them back up when you do anything big.

 

[bambiboom]

I see some posts with suggested configurations for building a pc for audio recording. I don't see specifics about fans. Are fans generally included with the case or do they always need to be purchased separately? What are the sizes so they can be matched up with the holes in the case?

jferejohn,

The fans are usually included with the case and the adverts should list them. For example:

LIAN LI PC-A61B Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case > $175

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112420&ignorebbr=1

System Fan (Front): 120mm Fan x2
System Fan (Rear): 120mm Fan x1
System Fan (TOP): 140mm or 120mm Fan x2 (Optional)

I've had about ten systems- mostly CAD workstations plus one dedicated audio recording /editing system- in the last twenty years and by far the quietest I've ever had are the two HP z420 workstations (2013 and 2015). The thing is, computer cases sold as components have to be quite generic to allow the widest compatibility with motherboard, CPU coolers and etc., while a proprietary maker can can configure the cooling- the things that makes all the noise to be quiet because there will be only one motherboard and placement of the parts.

In both Dell Precisions and the HP z-series, the fans are not mounted at the sides of the case, but are located towards the interior and enclosed in a shroud. From 18" away I can't detect by sound that the z420 is running. Component cases will have the fans mounted on the outer surfaces of the case and with gaming cases you can see them on the front panel- and hear them.

If you'd care for a recommendation for an audio system, I suggest considering a used HP z420:

HP Z420 Workstation Xeon E5-1620 3.6GHz 16GB 320GB nVidia Quadro 600 DVD-RW > sold for $400

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-Z420-Workstation-Xeon-E5-1620-3-6GHz-16GB-320GB-nVidia-Quadro-600-DVD-RW-/321906074680?hash=item4af318e438%3Ag%3Agf4AAOSwDNdVr6bA&nma=true&si=4FjRyhpyCcG%252BEp4%252B8w1xj0CPZz4%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

The E5-1620 is a 4-core @ 3.3 /3.7GHz- more than adequate for audio use and the 16GB of ECC 1600 should be fine also. However, if you're using Sonar Producer or similar that is multi-threaded, you can buy a Z420 with an E5-1603- 2,8 / 3.4GHz -it will cost $100 less- and change the CPU to an E5-2680 - about $200. The E5-2680 is an 8-core @ 2.7 /3.5GHz. For comparison, I do MIDI and live multi-track recording using a Cakewalk Jr. version on an HP Elite with a Core2 Quad 2.4GHz Q6600, and 8GB of DDR2 667 and 750GB mech'l HD.

The Quadro 600 in the above system is fine if you are running one or two monitors of 2D. I use a pair of elderly 17" LCD monitors and have one monitor with my Sonar Junior and the other for menus and Win Explorer, and etc. The reasonable price of these systems arrives not only as very quiet and extreme reliability, but releases funds for a large SSD and enterprise storage drives, good interface, microphones, and etc.

The other pleasant aspect is not having to build a system- the above system could be up and working on some level two hours after opening the box and changing the CPU, adding an SSD or RAM can be done on the fly with the system never out of action more than an hour or so..

Cheers,

BambiBoom

Modeling:

1. HP z420 (2015) > Xeon E5-1660 v2 (6-core @ 3.7 / 4.0GHz) > 32GB DDR3 1866 ECC RAM > Quadro K4200 (4GB) > Intel 730 480GB (9SSDSC2BP480G4R5) > Western Digital Black WD1003FZEX 1TB> M-Audio 192 sound card > 600W PSU> > Windows 7 Professional 64-bit > Logitech z2300 speakers > 2X Dell Ultrasharp U2715H (2560 X 1440)>
[ Passmark Rating = 5064 > CPU= 13989 / 2D= 819 / 3D= 4596 / Mem= 2772 / Disk= 4555] [Cinebench R15 > CPU = 1014 OpenGL= 126.59 FPS] 7.8.15

Rendering:

2. Dell Precision T5500 (2011) (Revised) > 2X Xeon X5680 (6 -core @ 3.33 / 3.6GHz), 48GB DDR3 1333 ECC Reg. > Quadro K2200 (4GB ) > PERC H310 / Samsung 840 250GB / WD RE4 Enterprise 1TB > M-Audio 192 sound card > 875W PSU > Windows 7 Professional 64> HP 2711x (27", 1920 X 1080)
[ Passmark system rating = 3844 / CPU = 15047 / 2D= 662 / 3D= 3500 / Mem= 1785 / Disk= 2649] (12.30.15)

 

[jferejohn]

Thanks, all for taking the time to help me.