Need to make my PC quieter

[nano0305]

Hello all,

I own an old PC built by myself about 7 years ago. Core 2 Quad 9450, 4GB DDR2 RAM, Geforce 8800GS, an Antec TPQ 1000 watt PSW, etc all inside a Thermaltake Armor VA8000BWS case which is obviously discontinued.
http://support.thermaltakeusa.com/ProductHtml/image/VA8003BWS/cooling_all.jpg

I will be upgrading in the future but at this moment I need to reduce the noise of the fans. I don't overclock so everything is running at stock speed.

The case came with 2 120mm fans, one on the front and one on the bottom, and 1 90mm fan on the back next to the Power Supply. I am also using the stock Intel fan that came with the CPU.

I don't need anything extreme so I was thinking of buying the Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO for the CPU which I have seen was recommended for the price and quality.

And for the case I saw an article here at TH of the Aerocool Dead Silence Fans.
http://www.tomshardware.com/news/aerocool-dead-silent-case-fans,26694.html

So my question is the following: If I buy these Dead Silence 120mm fans to replace the ones that came with my case, will I be able to install them or do I need a kit or something to make them fit in the acrilic that attaches to the case? I am asking because I have never installed new fans.

Also, I would like to know, if maybe it could also be the fan of the PSW the one that makes so much noise. If so, Can I clean it without risk of being injured? Or how can I make it quieter?

Thanks for reading this and all help will be greatly appreciated!

 

[ronintexas]

Replacing case fans are pretty simple - 4 screws and 1 plug in....

As for the PSU - what is the make/model of the PSU? There are better PSUs to buy - they run a lot quieter as compared to the older ones....Replacing the fan in the PSU can be done - but it often requires soldiering to the circuit board and is a bit more complex as compared to the case fans. Most PSU manufacturers state that "there are no user serviceable parts inside"....

 

[JackNaylorPE]

To see if a particular fan is making the noise, place ya finger in the senter hub and press to stop it.... if noise stops, you found the offender.

An air compressor is great for cleaning dust outta PCs.... just don't wind the fans up to 10,000 rpm ....short bursts and you will be fine.

 

[geofelt]

Noise comes from small fans running at high rpm's.
No fan is dead silent. That is pure marketing hype.
The best strategy is to replace small fans with larger ones that run at <1000 rpm.
You can also reduce fan rpm by using low nose fan cables that reduce the voltage to the fans.
There are differences in fans, but that is a second order consideration once you get past the required rpm.

Your psu is quite beefy, and I doubt that it has to work hard at all.
I would not take it apart.
Some compressed air should clean it out sufficiently.

To isolate the source of noise, make a paper tube and use as a stethoscope to listen to noise.
You can also use a finger to temporarily stop a fan and hear the change.
The cm hyper212 is a good unit at a good price.
The 120mm fan will be much quieter than the stock intel cooler fan under load.
If you buy a cooler which uses a 140mm fan you will do even better.
Look at noctua or Phanteks coolers.

New fans will probably come with mounting screws or rubber connectors. I know the noctua fans do.

For good info on quiet computing, go to www.silentpcreview.com

 

[JackNaylorPE]

There are some real quiet fans out there.....

from silent PC reviews top 12 (best at top)

Phanteks PH-F140HP/TS (same fan as F140SP)
Noctua NF-A14 FLX
Noctua NF-A15 PWM
Noiseblocker B12-2
Noctua NF-P14 FLX
Scythe Gentle Typhoon 120-12
Noiseblocker M12-S1
Corsair AF120 Quiet
Corsair AF120 Performance
Thermalright TR-TY150
Scythe Gentle Typhoon 120-14
Xigmatek XAF-F1453

The F140SPs are 410 on newegg ... another test here has them topping the Noctua's by 3C at 300 less rpm
http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/phenteks_f140/3.htm

Now I am very sensitive to noise.... kids hate it cause they can never sneak in late at night .... I literally wake up when the cat walks down the stairs ! maybe she's just fat ...... I have 15 of them in my case and they are "dead silent".... not in the scientific sense as geo uses above .... what i mean is that they are "below the threshold of hearing" at the rpms they run at ..... when sitting in front of it while stress testing, you can not tell if the PC is on of off using your ears..... and that's with both side panels removed.

 

[nano0305]

Replacing case fans are pretty simple - 4 screws and 1 plug in....

As for the PSU - what is the make/model of the PSU? There are better PSUs to buy - they run a lot quieter as compared to the older ones....Replacing the fan in the PSU can be done - but it often requires soldiering to the circuit board and is a bit more complex as compared to the case fans. Most PSU manufacturers state that "there are no user serviceable parts inside"....

The make and model of the PSU is Antec True Power Quattro 1000w
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371012

I don't dare to open the PSU, I think I will go with an air compressor to clean the fan inside. The PSU is as old as my PC, so it has been running for almost 7 years now. I bought it on sale at USD 200 at the time it was USD 300 regular price. I think it was worth the money haha.

 

[nano0305]

Thank you all for your lightning fast answers. I will take into account all your information.
The only thing that is not yet clear to me is if any case fan I buy will be compatible and installable on my case. Because I have taken the case fans out to clean them and they go attached to an acrylic structure that is the one attached to the case.
Thanks again!