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Building a Silent Air Cooled System
Cooling/CPU Cooling by jmke @ 2005-03-11
Tired of those whining fans, want some peace and quiet when starting your PC? Read on to find out how you silence your system without turning it into a small oven.
We need more Power Scotty!
Swap PSU #1: Sharkoon SilentStorm 450W
(Review)
The Sharkoon SilentStorm replaces the stock Antec 350W power supply, a slight drop in noise generation is noticed when powering on the system;
(number between () is compared to default configuration)
Noise measurement: 32.2dBA (-5.9)
CPU: 57 (0)
System: 44 (+10)
PWM: 49 (+3)
HDD: 40 (+11)
RAM: 45.5 (+7.5)
VGA: 63.25 (+5.75)
Top: 42 (+9)
Bottom: 42.5 (+11.5)
The system becomes slightly warmer with the Sharkoon SilentStorm, the noise level meter shows a -0.7 dBA reduction in noise, but the higher pitched noise of the Antec 350W fans is now absent. The SilentStorm moves less air causing an increase in overall case temperature.
Swap PSU #1: Silverstone EFN-300W Passive
(Review)
Silverstone has a very interesting product in their line-up, a completely passive power supply; let's see if this unit can further reduce of our system:
(number between () is compared to default configuration)
Noise measurement: 31.2dBA (-7.9)
CPU: 64.5 (+7.5)
System: 51.5 (+17.5)
PWM: 60.5 (+14.5)
HDD: 51.5 (+22.5)
RAM: 53.5 (+15.5)
VGA: 71.25 (+13.75)
Top: 52.5 (+19.5)
Bottom: 53 (+22)
Remembering that the lowest dBA measurement in the test room was 30dBA, it's quite an accomplishment to come very close to total silence!
Looking at the maximum temperatures reached during stress testing is not very encouraging however, at a room temp of 22°C the hard drive is running very high (50+°C) and the overall case temperature is also extremely high (50+°C). The system still remains running stable, but for how long?
Using the fan controller we re-active the rear case fan and let it run at half speed (7v):
Silent and Cool?
(number between () is compared to default configuration)
Noise measurement: 31.7dBA (-7.4)
CPU: 59 (+2)
System: 47 (+13)
PWM: 54 (+8)
HDD: 50 (+21)
RAM: 47.5 (+9.5)
VGA: 65.25 (+7.75)
Top: 49 (+16)
Bottom: 47 (+16)
With the help of the rear case fan the temperatures inside become more tolerable, almost every components display a benefit from the added airflow; Sound-wise the system is still bearably audible and deserves the "silent rig" tag.
Conclusion: Swapping your PSU for a more silent unit: only when you've exhausted all other options
Cost of the modification: $80-160 depending on the features and power rating
If your system already features a powerful and expensive power supply then swapping it out for a more silent version might not be the wisest decision. If you're adventurous you could make some air ducts inside your case to guide cool air to the PSU and use a fan controller to reduce the speed of the PSU's fans.
But when you want the best of the best, be prepared to pay for it too; passive power supplies are still scarce and their high price-tag doesn't make them accessible to everyone.
(Review)
The Sharkoon SilentStorm replaces the stock Antec 350W power supply, a slight drop in noise generation is noticed when powering on the system;
(number between () is compared to default configuration)
Noise measurement: 32.2dBA (-5.9)
CPU: 57 (0)
System: 44 (+10)
PWM: 49 (+3)
HDD: 40 (+11)
RAM: 45.5 (+7.5)
VGA: 63.25 (+5.75)
Top: 42 (+9)
Bottom: 42.5 (+11.5)
The system becomes slightly warmer with the Sharkoon SilentStorm, the noise level meter shows a -0.7 dBA reduction in noise, but the higher pitched noise of the Antec 350W fans is now absent. The SilentStorm moves less air causing an increase in overall case temperature.
Swap PSU #1: Silverstone EFN-300W Passive
(Review)
Silverstone has a very interesting product in their line-up, a completely passive power supply; let's see if this unit can further reduce of our system:
(number between () is compared to default configuration)
Noise measurement: 31.2dBA (-7.9)
CPU: 64.5 (+7.5)
System: 51.5 (+17.5)
PWM: 60.5 (+14.5)
HDD: 51.5 (+22.5)
RAM: 53.5 (+15.5)
VGA: 71.25 (+13.75)
Top: 52.5 (+19.5)
Bottom: 53 (+22)
Remembering that the lowest dBA measurement in the test room was 30dBA, it's quite an accomplishment to come very close to total silence!
Looking at the maximum temperatures reached during stress testing is not very encouraging however, at a room temp of 22°C the hard drive is running very high (50+°C) and the overall case temperature is also extremely high (50+°C). The system still remains running stable, but for how long?
Using the fan controller we re-active the rear case fan and let it run at half speed (7v):
Silent and Cool?
(number between () is compared to default configuration)
Noise measurement: 31.7dBA (-7.4)
CPU: 59 (+2)
System: 47 (+13)
PWM: 54 (+8)
HDD: 50 (+21)
RAM: 47.5 (+9.5)
VGA: 65.25 (+7.75)
Top: 49 (+16)
Bottom: 47 (+16)
With the help of the rear case fan the temperatures inside become more tolerable, almost every components display a benefit from the added airflow; Sound-wise the system is still bearably audible and deserves the "silent rig" tag.
Conclusion: Swapping your PSU for a more silent unit: only when you've exhausted all other options
Cost of the modification: $80-160 depending on the features and power rating
If your system already features a powerful and expensive power supply then swapping it out for a more silent version might not be the wisest decision. If you're adventurous you could make some air ducts inside your case to guide cool air to the PSU and use a fan controller to reduce the speed of the PSU's fans.
But when you want the best of the best, be prepared to pay for it too; passive power supplies are still scarce and their high price-tag doesn't make them accessible to everyone.
Comment
from
@ 2005/03/11
What I've gathered after reading the article:
1) Case exhaust is vital.
2)There are other heat generating components in a PC other than CPU and Graphic card we commonly talk about.
3) Good CPU cooling is only part of the equation.
Using sound meter is the best for sound evaluation; because some people just couldn't hear much of anything
1) Case exhaust is vital.
2)There are other heat generating components in a PC other than CPU and Graphic card we commonly talk about.
3) Good CPU cooling is only part of the equation.
Using sound meter is the best for sound evaluation; because some people just couldn't hear much of anything
Comment
from
@ 2005/03/12
You should probably have made a temperature target for each component.
Obviously a lower temp is always better (unless you are keeping your coffee warm on your case), but if the CPU can live forever at 70 degrees it wouldn't matter what temp you got as long as you didn't go over that max temp.
That said bearings would be the only thing that would be hard to nail down. I would suggest putting in a buffer temp into the bios to save the cpu.
The best thing would be to have a PSU that keeps running even when the mobo powers down.
Also, BTX should solve many cooling problems by using less fans.
Obviously a lower temp is always better (unless you are keeping your coffee warm on your case), but if the CPU can live forever at 70 degrees it wouldn't matter what temp you got as long as you didn't go over that max temp.
That said bearings would be the only thing that would be hard to nail down. I would suggest putting in a buffer temp into the bios to save the cpu.
The best thing would be to have a PSU that keeps running even when the mobo powers down.
Also, BTX should solve many cooling problems by using less fans.
Comment
from
@ 2005/03/12
Let's "hope" so.
BTX is focusing on CPU cooling from front inlet via duct work. I have not seen HDD cooling solutions in BTX. CPU will only be made cooler not hotter would be the better solution.
Quote:
| Also, BTX should solve many cooling problems by using less fans. |
BTX is focusing on CPU cooling from front inlet via duct work. I have not seen HDD cooling solutions in BTX. CPU will only be made cooler not hotter would be the better solution.
Comment
from
@ 2005/03/12
good work there.
Comment
from
@ 2005/03/12
euhm
wtf is upwith the NSYNC pics? finally showing your true nature jmke? ^^
wtf is upwith the NSYNC pics? finally showing your true nature jmke? ^^
Comment
from
@ 2005/03/12
actually I added it to please you
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Good review, Good subject