Last week I started a quest to make my computer alot quieter than it is.. With a large graphics card (x1950xt), AMD 6000+ CPU, 4GB of ram, 700W PS, 2 hard drives, 2 120mm fans and 1 80mm fan my system is pretty loud, loud enough that I can hear it in the next room.
To combat the problem I’ve changed out the two 120mm fans with low speed, almost silent Antec fans with adjustable speeds and got rid of the 80mm fan. With one exhaust and one intake fan it is more then enough air flow and a lot less noise. If it starts getting to hot I can always turn up the fans for more airflow.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835209005
My graphics card fan was the loudest part of my system. I found a GPU heatsink on Newegg and decided to give it a try. I replaced the stock heatsink/fan with amazing results. My graphics card temps dropped and the fan is silent on the lowest setting. With the lowest fan setting it still keeps my GPU cooler then the stock hs/fan. Again with the adjustable fan speeds if it gets to hot playing a game I can turn it up.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835118001
Now the loudest thing in my system is the power supply. I have a OCZ GameXtreme. This is the first time I bought something other than an Antec power supply. Although this one is nice (except the blue led’s??? why does my computer need a light show?), the Antec's are silent and good quality. Next week I will be replacing my OCZ with a 550w modular Antec.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817103941
That leaves the CPU cooler but I find the stock cooler keeps my CPU at 32C idle and does it without making any noise. (why do so many say the stock cooler sucks? seriously...)
Much happier with this setup. I've pushed the power button a few times and wondered if it had turned on (i'm used to the sound of an airplane taking off...). I can't hear it in the next room anymore. The only thing I can hear up close is the faint fan of the power supply and my wd raptor hard drive.
I did the same for the novahq server. I replaced the aging power supply with a new Antec 380w 'earthwatt' silent power supply, 2 120mm adjustable fans (1 exhaust, 1 intake), replaced the motherboard with a new one that has an integrated GPU and no Northbridge fan, and cleaned the AMD hs/fan. Now I have to stick my ear to the computer or look for the power led to tell if it's on. That's how it should sound!
Thought i'd share incase anyone else had a loud computer!