How much difference does a soundproofed case make?

[jwk3]

Hi All,

I'm thinking of trying to quiet my system down, as my current components are pretty loud!
The two main noisy parts are my Corsair H70 (with stock fans) and my Asus 560 Ti DirectCU II.
my two options are either getting a new case, i'm thinking of getting a Fractal Design Define R3 or similar, OR get some new fans for my H70, which will solve half the problem.

So my question is this, how much difference does upgrading from a pretty well ventilated standard case (NZXT M59) to a case like the R3. Has anyone had a similar experience?

 

[serialkiller]

i dont know about sound proffing but change those fans with higher cfm and is quiet.
I dont think ur graphic card is making loud noise

 

[cyansnow]

I have the Corsair H80 and it's a loud mofo on boot, but I don't notice it when idle. I would say to not buy a new case yet and look at sound proofing. Your Asus 560 isn't going to be that loud because graphics card fans are normally really weak.

 

[jwk3]

I have the Corsair H80 and it's a loud mofo on boot, but I don't notice it when idle. I would say to not buy a new case yet and look at sound proofing. Your Asus 560 isn't going to be that loud because graphics card fans are normally really weak.

Cyansnow do you have the stock fans? and are they 3 or 4 pin connectors? my Corsair fans seem to stay at the same RPM all the time, and in speedfan they measure 1600RPM, which is what Corsair say the fans run at when using their resistor type adapters.

----

In terms of my graphics card noise, yep it definitely kicks out a fair bit of noise under load, enough for me to use headphones most of the time, which is partly why i'm considering getting a new case rather than trying to replace the CPU fans.

 

[cyansnow]

^Sorry, i don't have an ASUS model.

And I am using Stock fans on my corsair, they use 3 pin connectors.

 

[FinneousPJ]

Check the R3 review: http://www.anandtech.com/show/5084/fractal-design-define-r3-a-fan-favorite-keeps-the-noise-down

In short, it does have a major impact. I own a Define XL and it's both cool and quiet.

 

[mcnumpty23]

on my h80 its got 3 speed settings on the pump--though i actually connected both fans to a fan controller to

get more precise control

think you can also lower the speeds on the h70 with step down adaptors that come with it

surprised your asus gtx560ti cu is loud--my asus direct cu gtx570 is really quiet i cant even hear it over my

case fans when gaming--though my case does have great airflow

 

[geofelt]

Hi All,

I'm thinking of trying to quiet my system down, as my current components are pretty loud!
The two main noisy parts are my Corsair H70 (with stock fans) and my Asus 560 Ti DirectCU II.
my two options are either getting a new case, i'm thinking of getting a Fractal Design Define R3 or similar, OR get some new fans for my H70, which will solve half the problem.

So my question is this, how much difference does upgrading from a pretty well ventilated standard case (NZXT M59) to a case like the R3. Has anyone had a similar experience?

A good resource for you is www.silentpcreview.com .

In general, noise is generated by high rpm fans.
A quieter case design can muffle some of that noise, but that is only partially effective.

I suggest:

1) Abandon/sell the H70 and replace it with a good air cooler. One with a large 120 or 140mm slow turning fan. You will still cool your cpu sufficiently well.
Noctua NH-D14 is about the best, but pricey. Even a cm hyper121 will do the job.

2) Look to a quieter case design. Side windows and vents transmit internal noise. Look for something like the Antec solo II or fractal r3:
http://www.silentpcreview.com/antec-solo2

 

[Rugger]

Cyansnow do you have the stock fans? and are they 3 or 4 pin connectors? my Corsair fans seem to stay at the same RPM all the time, and in speedfan they measure 1600RPM, which is what Corsair say the fans run at when using their resistor type adapters.

----

In terms of my graphics card noise, yep it definitely kicks out a fair bit of noise under load, enough for me to use headphones most of the time, which is partly why i'm considering getting a new case rather than trying to replace the CPU fans.

I have an H80 and regret getting it over a really good air cooler...stock fans are LOUD. The reason your fans stay at the same speed is that the H70 does not have integrated fan control like the H80. Not as much reason to have it...the H70 has one fan with the max RPM at 1700 (at least 1700RPM according to Corsair). The H80 has two 2600RPM fans...sounds like a jet engine when you first start the system or when it comes out of sleep mode.

My H80 is inside an Antec P183 case - the 183 comes with sound dampening material installed on the side panels. I haven't bought any aftermarket sound dampening material to provide more sound reduction. What I can tell you is that the noise generated by the H80 is still significant despite the stock dampening material installed. Right now I have the stock fans with the speed being regulated by the H80. I've gotten tired of that so I ordered and just received some good quality, quiet 120mm fans and a Scythe fan controller. I'll be installing those shortly...all case fans and the H80 will be controlled by the Scythe and run at low speeds for peace and quiet. Mmmmm...quiet gooood.

Bottom line. I have a case that is at least as quiet as the R3...I think more so...and the H80 noise still is annoying. I don't think a different case is going to have a significant impact on the levels of noise you perceive from the loud parts inside. Use something like Speedfan to control the video card fan's speed and get a fan controller for the rest of your fans. If you want to get fans in addition to a fan controller, then I have a recommendation for quiet, inexpensive fans: Yate Loon D12SL-12. 4/$20 at Petra's Tech Shop: http://www.petrastechshop.com/12yalod1cafa.html
Review: http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews/cases_cooling/yate_loon_d12sl-12_120mm_case_fan_review/3

Edit: I'm also a fan of http://www.silentpcreview.com - it's one of the reasons that I got the P183 and how I found out about the Yate Loon fans.

 

[13thmonkey]

you need a well designed case, and smartly controlled fans, are you using speed control in speedfan.

+1 to silent PC review

 

[jwk3]

OK guys I know this is a late reply but i had just forgotten about this thread. I bought the R3 case in the end, and its a great case and I think I can definitely notice the lack of noise coming from my graphics card. something that is not related to the case is that i managed to get the stock H70 fans to spin at a lower RPM, which is still dont get how this is working, but i just rearranged the resistors (didnt add any) which are included with the fans and plugged it into a system fan port as opposed to the CPU fan like before and the CPU fan noise is much less! does anyone know if the CPU fan port gives with more power than system fans?

so to finish it off:
the case does make an impact on general sound suppression, but it would not be enough to mask the sound of the H70 fans and make them bearable. I don't think I'll look into getting better fans because it definitely quiet enough for me now.

 

[hellfire24]

silverstone and fractal design cases are good for cooling+silence solutions.