How can I make my Antec 900 case quieter?

[2JZGTE]

HI all.

My build is posted below. I've had my Antec 900 since 2009 without any problems. However I would like to make it quieter.

I'm assuming the fans of the case are the main cause for noise... please correct me if I'm wrong, Can I change them for something a little quieter, or is there a way to have full control over the fan speed with a software/without having to open the case and fiddle with the switches? Right now I'm too lazy and I've been keeping them at Medium speed since I bought the case six years ago.

Thanks.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($299.99 @ DirectCanada)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($27.71 @ Vuugo)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($184.99 @ NCIX)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($115.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($198.74 @ Amazon Canada)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card ($398.49 @ Newegg Canada)
Case: Antec Nine Hundred ATX Mid Tower Case ($111.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($74.99 @ NCIX)
Monitor: to be determined
HDD : Recycing old one
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-02 00:57 EST-0500

 

[Benjiwenji]

You're better changing the fans to something like the noctua fans

or

get something called "low noise adapters" for your fans.

 

[synphul]

If possible try to listen to the case and isolate where the sound you're hearing seems to come from. A hum or whirring type sound is more than likely due to fans, yes. Which fan or fans would have to be determined. If you have trouble sorting out any particular fan as being loud you can try using something like a paper towel tube held up to your ear and it can help block surrounding noises and listen to specific fans. That way you can rule out graphics card fans, cpu cooler fans etc.


Which fans are you using on your case, the stock ones? If they're going on 6 years of use they may be developing bearing noise or other issues. They also have speed switches to turn them higher or lower, have you already tried turning them down? I have one on an antec case I'm about to replace myself because it's becoming noisy and it's around the same age but it's a smaller 92mm so wasn't overly quiet to begin with.

Noctua has some good fans like the nf-f12, nf-s12b redux 1200 for around $15-20.
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/noctua-case-fan-nfs12bredux1200pwm
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/noctua-case-fan-nff12pwm

Cougar Vortex fans aren't too bad, cost a bit less but don't have quite as long of a warranty as Noctua does. Around $15.
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cougar-case-fan-cfv12hpb

If you like led fans, there's the corsair af120's and they come in twin packs for around $20. These are the white ones but if you check newegg or other vendors you should be able to find the others. They have purple, green, red, blue.
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-case-fan-co9050016wled

If you're on a tight budget some people have had good experience with the coolermaster sickle flow fans. I think they come in red or green for around $5-7.
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-case-fan-r4l2r20arr1
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-case-fan-r4l2r20agr2

 

[Benjiwenji]

From personal experience, the sickle flow fans are pretty loud.

However, the AF 120s are pretty quiet with the low noise adapters that came with the box.

 

[synphul]

I haven't used cooler master fans in a long time so wasn't aware they were a bit on the noisy side. Specs show they should be fairly quiet but dba ratings also depend on how they're tested and can sometimes be done in a way to get better/quieter ratings. Good to know. For the price I think they would be considered basic or budget fans and wouldn't expect much out of them in terms of tonal quality or longevity compared to more expensive fans.

2JZGTE, you should also be able to control the fans via the motherboard bios fan controls/profiles. The fan headers on the z97-a are 4 pin and support both 3pin and 4pin pwm fans. As a last resort you could also use a fan controller, nzxt makes a few as do others. If you went that route you'd install it into one of the front bays of your case, power the speed controller with a power cable from the psu and then plug your case fans into that giving you direct physical control over each fan.

Also I just realized you're dealing with Canadian prices so ignore the price references I gave you. Those were in usd. Cad will likely be a bit higher and availability may not be exactly the same. I didn't give a suggestion on the 200mm fan up top because I'm not certain if the 900 uses standard 200mm mounting or not. If it does there are some 200mm fans out there you can replace it with. Selection is a bit more limited but available.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Case Fan: Cooler Master Megaflow 110.0 CFM 200mm Fan ($14.51 @ DirectCanada)
Case Fan: Phanteks PH-F200SP_BK 110.1 CFM 200mm Fan ($27.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-02 04:31 EST-0500

 

[2JZGTE]

Thanks for your answers. I'm currently looking into the fans options but leaning towards the Corsair AF120...not sure yet.
Do you guys think I'd hear a noticeable difference between my stock 6 years old fans and the Corsair AF120's?

I'm debating over a fan controller, I've been reading mixed reviews about almost any model I looked into, PLUS the temp readers seem like a PITA to install/keep at their proper place.

 

[Benjiwenji]

The AF120 are pretty quiet in my case. I can only hear the CM hyper t4. I wouldn't worry about a fancy fan controller. Fan plugged in the mobo can be controlled in BIOS. The AF 120s came with low noise adapters should you need them.

 

[synphul]

I'm almost positive the new fans would be quieter. It's not only brand new hardware, new bearings etc it's also a significant amount of time for tech to improve. Fan blade designs to better coordinate airflow and keep sound levels to a minimum.

A fan controller (hardware) isn't necessary but depending on how sensitive to noise you are it can help. I use one and can keep an eye on my temps while turning fan speeds up or down adjusting for noise. Usually there isn't much difference in temps while spinning the fan just below where it begins to make noise.

 

[2JZGTE]

What's your fan controller and are your temp readings accurate when compared to, for example, HWiNFO?

Also how much more difficult (if any) was your cable management with the fan controller?