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Does that PC sitting next to you sound like a Learjet revving its engines for takeoff? Okay, it's probably not that bad, but many PCs are loud enough to be distracting or just plain annoying, especially if your workspace is otherwise tranquil.
To their credit, PC makers are beginning to consider acoustics when they design systems. But too many PCs are still built with inexpensive cooling components that can create a noisy system.
The main sources of noise are motors and spinning components such as the hard drive, CPU fan, case cooling fans, and power supply fan. The power supply fan and CPU cooling fan are usually the biggest culprits. Fans and hard drives also produce vibrational noise that's magnified by the PC case or the surface it's sitting on (see step 1).
As processors, hard drives, and graphics boards get faster, they produce more heat, so more cooling is necessary, and cooling tends to beget noise. But there are ways to reduce the cacophony while achieving adequate cooling. On the next page: the parts for a quiet PC. On the third and fourth pages: steps that start with the simple and move up in complexity and expense.
The Top Down
Benefits: Less noise from your PC
Cost: Free to $150-plus, depending on combination of component
Expertise level: Beginner to intermediate
Time required: 15 to 60-plus minutes
Tools required: Phillips screwdriver, antistatic wrist strap (recommended)
Vendors:
Antec, Directron.com, PC Power & Cooling, Quiet PC, Silicon Acoustics
Silence is Golden--With the Right Parts
These parts and installation steps can help bring peace back to your workspace.
A wide range of PC-quieting products are available. They can be used singly or in combination. See the vendor list in "The Top Down" on the preceding page for sources. Note that Quiet PC also sells all-in-one kits that contain combinations of PC-quieting components.
1. Acoustic insulation ($40 to $85): Sound-absorbing foam, installed inside the case, turns your PC into an almost-soundproof miniature room, though it can make your PC run a bit hotter. (Shown: AcoustiPack Deluxe version 2.)
2. Hard-drive enclosure ($32): Dampen the whine of your PC's hard drive by enclosing it in an isolation chamber. Note: This requires a free 5.25-inch drive bay for installation. (Shown on top of case: Molex SilentDrive.)
3. Silent case ($100): If you're building your own PC, consider a case designed with a quiet power supply, quiet fans, and large air vents. (Shown: Antec SLK3700-BQE.)
4. Case fans ($7 to $25): Specially designed and thermostatically controlled case cooling fans can move enough air to keep your system cool, while keeping noise to a minimum. (Shown: Antec SmartCool Plus and Fortron 9cm fan.)
5. Quiet power supplies ($45 to $150): The power supply may be the noisiest component of your PC. Quiet power supplies can dramatically reduce the clatter. (Shown: Fortron Source 300-watt power supply with 120mm fan.)
6. Gasket kits ($10 to $15): Gaskets and insulated mounting washers for power supplies and fans can help reduce vibration. (Shown: Antec PC NoiseKiller Kit.)
7. CPU coolers ($20 to $50): If your existing CPU cooling fan sounds like a miniature vacuum cleaner, consider fans with larger heat sinks and quiet rotary blades; these can virtually eliminate CPU cooling noise. (Shown: Fortron Source Pentium 4 CPU Cooler.)
1. Move the PC.
First, try a simple solution. If your system is sitting on the desk next to you, move it onto the floor (assuming that its case is designed to sit vertically rather than horizontally). The vibration from the PC often sets up a sympathetic vibration with the desk surface, turning the case into a soundboard. Moving the computer under your desk can eliminate this problem.
You'll get the best results if the PC sits on a carpeted surface. If you have a tile or hardwood floor, try putting the system on a carpet scrap or a piece of packing foam. For a really "far out" solution, purchase keyboard, mouse, and monitor extension cables (available from any computer dealer) and move the PC farther away. This will, of course, make the CD or DVD drives harder to access.
2. Tighten up to reduce rattling.
 | Sometimes, the biggest contributor of PC noise isn't so much the direct sound of fans and motors as it is the vibration of PC components. It can be as annoying as a rattle somewhere in your car. You can often solve these problems by unplugging your PC, removing its cover, and methodically tightening the mounting screws of parts such as the power supply, drives, motherboard, and cooling fans. Be careful, though: Overtightening screws is worse than leaving them too loose, since you could damage components. Some noise-reduction kits include screws with polymer or rubber washers to reduce vibrations further. |
3. Install gaskets.
 | Inexpensive polymer gasket kits can isolate vibrating fans and parts from the case, reducing noise. NoiseMagic's No-Vibes hard-drive suspension kit can do the same for your hard drives. |
4. Install heat-sensitive case fans.
 | Because of the heat generated by fast processors and other components, almost all PC cases have one or more fans dedicated to exhausting heat. The inexpensive fans that many manufacturers use can be noisy, but fans don't always have to work at full speed, since a PC produces much less heat when it's idling. Thermostatically controlled fans use temperature sensors that slow the fans down when the internal case temperature drops. Alternatively, some manufacturers supply single-speed fans that are designed to be quiet. Installing them is usually simple, though you may need to remove drives or add-in boards to take out the old fan and insert the new one. Note whether the fan power is connected on the motherboard or to a power-supply connector. If your new fan has an external temperature sensor, follow the manufacturer's directions to place the sensor in the optimum location. |
5. Upgrade to a quiet power supply.
Your computer's power supply may be one of the primary sources of noise. Many rely on two built-in fans to move large amounts of air. Switching to a power supply that is designed to be quiet can dramatically reduce your PC's overall noise level. Designs vary, but most units simply employ larger fans that can turn more slowly while delivering the same amount of cooling air. Some also use thermostatic controls to slow down or speed up the fans depending on the case temperature. For instructions on upgrading your power supply, see "Keep It Powered, Keep It Cool". Be sure to buy a power supply that has sufficient wattage to handle all of your PC's components.
6. Install a new CPU cooler.
 | Today's processors run very hot--often from 145 to 175 degrees Fahrenheit. At these temperatures, effective and continuous cooling is essential. In fact, an uncooled CPU can grow hot enough to damage itself in a matter of seconds. The CPU heat sink and fan that came with your PC are probably louder than you realize. You can lower the noise by installing a specially designed CPU cooler. Most coolers include a larger, more efficient heat sink that can be paired with a much quieter fan. Buy a cooler that's designed for your processor, and follow the manufacturer's directions for installing it. |
7. Install acoustic insulation.
  | If your PC still isn't quiet enough after you've taken the preceding steps, try some more-extreme measures. Acoustic insulation kits let you add a layer of special sound-absorbing foam on the inside of your case. Installation is relatively easy: You cut the foam to size, peel off a backing, and stick it in place. The SilentDrive enclosure isolates your hard drive in a sound-deadening box. You'll need a free 5.25-inch mounting space for each SilentDrive. Follow the manufacturer's directions to install it. |
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