computer noise dampening - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

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?

Redjake · 06-26-2004, 05:01 PM

First suggestion: Mods, move this to Computers

Then, check this out:

http://www.xoxide.com/vibdampener.html

http://www.xoxide.com/sounabmat.html

http://www.xoxide.com/silencer.html

SiN · 06-26-2004, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Redjake
First suggestion: Mods, move this to Computers

Yeah, I think you're right.

Dragonlich · 06-26-2004, 11:15 PM

Redjake, those are the standard things to look at. However, I tried the first, a similar design for my PSU (hence the "silicone barrier" I talked about). The pax mate sound absorbers would probably only filter the higher sound frequencies - it's too too light to stop vibration. Finally, the harddisk isn't the problem.

Vibration of computer cases can be stopped by applying enough weight to them, making them too heavy to vibrate. That's why I thought about rubber or floor tiles - they're heavy. I did some research on the web, and that would seem to be the best way. A product that would come close would be <a href="http://www.cluboverclocker.com/reviews/other/dynamat/">Dynamat</a>. That's rather expensive though...

The reason I started out in Tilted Electronics was that there must be someone out there that has the same problems in a non-computer environment. car engines + hood vibration, or speakers + container vibration. If there's a cheap and effective way to stop that, it might be applied to my computer.

oberon · 06-26-2004, 11:33 PM

One really good way to reduce the noise your computer makes is to suspend your hard drive(s) properly from the frame. Use some rubber or special wrapping material for that. I haven't tried this technique (I'm kinda used to computer noise), but it works amazingly well for many friends.

Dragonlich · 06-27-2004, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by oberon
One really good way to reduce the noise your computer makes is to suspend your hard drive(s) properly from the frame. Use some rubber or special wrapping material for that. I haven't tried this technique (I'm kinda used to computer noise), but it works amazingly well for many friends.

That will work very well - there's even some companies making HDD containers that work that way.

However, that does not solve my Power Supply problem... I have no problem with the occasional harddisk noise, it's the constant droning of my PSU + case that bothers me.

I want some material that is easy to cut into small pieces (to put directly on my PSU), is thin enough to fit behind my motherboard tray (<7 mm), and is cheap enough to make it worthwile. I do NOT want to buy huge amounts of expensive specially-designed-for-rich-computer-nerds material, simply because I won't be needing that much, and won't pay tons of money. Dynamat is overpriced, period.

Redjake · 06-27-2004, 06:28 AM

Hmm.....ok, I realize what the problem is now.......basically the PSU noise and vibrations. I read up a long time ago that there was something you could replace for Dynamat (I agree, Dynamat is a fuckin' ripoff) that was sold at Lowes Hardware or Home Depot. I'd try making some trips over there and asking around.

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?

06-26-2004, 05:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
Redjake I'm a family man - I run a family business. Location: Wilson, NC	First suggestion: Mods, move this to Computers Then, check this out: http://www.xoxide.com/vibdampener.html http://www.xoxide.com/sounabmat.html http://www.xoxide.com/silencer.html __________________ Off the record, on the q.t., and very hush-hush.

06-26-2004, 11:33 PM	#5 (permalink)
oberon Quadrature Amplitude Modulator Location: Denver	One really good way to reduce the noise your computer makes is to suspend your hard drive(s) properly from the frame. Use some rubber or special wrapping material for that. I haven't tried this technique (I'm kinda used to computer noise), but it works amazingly well for many friends. __________________ "There are finer fish in the sea than have ever been caught." -- Irish proverb

06-27-2004, 06:28 AM	#7 (permalink)
Redjake I'm a family man - I run a family business. Location: Wilson, NC	Hmm.....ok, I realize what the problem is now.......basically the PSU noise and vibrations. I read up a long time ago that there was something you could replace for Dynamat (I agree, Dynamat is a fuckin' ripoff) that was sold at Lowes Hardware or Home Depot. I'd try making some trips over there and asking around. __________________ Off the record, on the q.t., and very hush-hush.

06-26-2004, 11:15 PM	#4 (permalink)
Dragonlich 42, baby! Location: The Netherlands	Redjake, those are the standard things to look at. However, I tried the first, a similar design for my PSU (hence the "silicone barrier" I talked about). The pax mate sound absorbers would probably only filter the higher sound frequencies - it's too too light to stop vibration. Finally, the harddisk isn't the problem. Vibration of computer cases can be stopped by applying enough weight to them, making them too heavy to vibrate. That's why I thought about rubber or floor tiles - they're heavy. I did some research on the web, and that would seem to be the best way. A product that would come close would be <a href="http://www.cluboverclocker.com/reviews/other/dynamat/">Dynamat</a>. That's rather expensive though... The reason I started out in Tilted Electronics was that there must be someone out there that has the same problems in a non-computer environment. car engines + hood vibration, or speakers + container vibration. If there's a cheap and effective way to stop that, it might be applied to my computer.