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Dragonlich · 06-26-2004, 04:38 AM

Although this might not really fit in here, I'm just gonna go ahead anyway...

I have a computer. It's housed in a pretty heavy Chieftec midi-tower. The problem: I think it makes too much noise.

I've tried the usual: setting fans at lower speeds (7 volts, and you hardly hear them), getting a better CPU fan (80mm casefan, pretty much no noise at 1600 rpm), and silencing the videocard (Arctic VGA silencer, inaudible). At that point, all I could hear (besides the harddisk) was my power supply. The noise level at that point was that of an 1800-rpm 80mm casefan - not bad, but I have the computer standing some 1 meters away from me, on my desk...

I've replaced the standard PSU with another one with a 12cm bottom-mounted casefan, which is pretty much inaudible.

However, here's the last problem I've ran into: <b>vibration</b>. My PSU seems to vibrate because of the fan, which means that my whole case amplifies that and turns it into noise (even though there's a silicone barrier between the PSU and my case!). I've also discovered that my CPU fan (when ran at 1800+ rpm) makes the motherboard tray vibrate.

Now, the question I have is simple: how do I stop this? The reason I posted the question here: the same problem can be found in cars (engine makes car hood vibrate), and in speakers (casing vibrates). Hence, if anyone knows a solution to these latter problems, that might be a solution to my problem.

A solution I found so far: some heavy material should be applied to the sides of the computer case, which then reduces the vibration. If course, this leaves me with the following problem: what material, and where to get it.

The local hardware stores don't seem to have any real solutions (normal sound-absorbing materials are too light, and only remove higher-pitched sound, not vibration).
The only materials that would seem to fit would be:
1) floor tiles. There's a heavy layer of rubber on the bottom, and (unfortunately) carpet on top. This might be a fire hazard.
2) rubber tiles to put on stairs, to reduce noise. This might be okay. However, how would it react to my computer heat?

Does anyone have suggestions that might be helpful?

06-26-2004, 04:38 AM	#1 (permalink)
Dragonlich 42, baby! Location: The Netherlands	computer noise dampening Although this might not really fit in here, I'm just gonna go ahead anyway... I have a computer. It's housed in a pretty heavy Chieftec midi-tower. The problem: I think it makes too much noise. I've tried the usual: setting fans at lower speeds (7 volts, and you hardly hear them), getting a better CPU fan (80mm casefan, pretty much no noise at 1600 rpm), and silencing the videocard (Arctic VGA silencer, inaudible). At that point, all I could hear (besides the harddisk) was my power supply. The noise level at that point was that of an 1800-rpm 80mm casefan - not bad, but I have the computer standing some 1 meters away from me, on my desk... I've replaced the standard PSU with another one with a 12cm bottom-mounted casefan, which is pretty much inaudible. However, here's the last problem I've ran into: <b>vibration</b>. My PSU seems to vibrate because of the fan, which means that my whole case amplifies that and turns it into noise (even though there's a silicone barrier between the PSU and my case!). I've also discovered that my CPU fan (when ran at 1800+ rpm) makes the motherboard tray vibrate. Now, the question I have is simple: how do I stop this? The reason I posted the question here: the same problem can be found in cars (engine makes car hood vibrate), and in speakers (casing vibrates). Hence, if anyone knows a solution to these latter problems, that might be a solution to my problem. A solution I found so far: some heavy material should be applied to the sides of the computer case, which then reduces the vibration. If course, this leaves me with the following problem: what material, and where to get it. The local hardware stores don't seem to have any real solutions (normal sound-absorbing materials are too light, and only remove higher-pitched sound, not vibration). The only materials that would seem to fit would be: 1) floor tiles. There's a heavy layer of rubber on the bottom, and (unfortunately) carpet on top. This might be a fire hazard. 2) rubber tiles to put on stairs, to reduce noise. This might be okay. However, how would it react to my computer heat? Does anyone have suggestions that might be helpful?