Reducing vibrations and noise - ANTEC 300

[The_Ollienator]

im guessing the ratings on them are quite optomistic it will be closer to 15-20 dB i imagine and i have read the sensors dont work too well. Il let you know though, should arrive tomorrow

ah that would be great.

And yeah, i just read some newegg reviews. Apparrently they dont spin up very often - one person even said his temps went up 12* :s scary!

Let me know anyways, if theyre not any good could you recommend the best quiet:airflow ratio 120mm fans? I have yet to find 140mm replacement for the top fan.

Found some cheap Acousti-fan mounts ~£2 for 8 of them. (ebay) http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/8-Acousti-Ultr...3A1|240%3A1318

Don't know whether they are any good but found these too (if scan sell them i cant find them, dont know what to look for really) http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Scythe-Hard-Di...3A1|240%3A1318

and these fans http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Scythe-S-FLEX-...3A1|240%3A1318

[DDY]

Did you not try putting washers/anti vibration screws on to attach your HDD/optical drives? I was planning to pick some of those up.

It's impossible to use washers or grommets for the optical and hard disk drives since they're a very tight fit, no room between the drives and the bays. I did however try these blocks of rubber for the HDD but it didn't completely eliminate vibrations like the elastic suspension.

Have you considering buying an after-market 140mm fan? i would say that the antec stock one could easily be beaten in terms of noise levels.

I considered one but since my rig works great without the top fan I just left it as it is. My guess is, since the top fan is so close to the CPU heatsink fan it impedes air flow by introducing a bit of turbulence, without the top fan the CPU fan blows warm air directly to the rear fan without interruption.

I found these http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/120mm...bber-A-V-Plugs which appeal greatly to me - 9-12Db and a decent airflow for such a quiet rating, plus i can turn LEDs off at night. Tempurature control too!

Take those dB figures with a pinch of salt, seriously consider the Scythe Slipsteam fans, especially the 1200 which are awesome when under volted to 7v or 5v.

[The_Ollienator]

Take those dB figures with a pinch of salt, seriously consider the Scythe Slipsteam fans, especially the 1200 which are awesome when under volted to 7v or 5v.

How does one go about undervolting? None of my fans are attached to my mobo i dont think - Not sure how many fan ports/slots i have either.

Might be worth picking up a fan controller so i dont have to mess about with voltage.

Whats the difference between the Scythe S-FLEX and the Scythe Slipstream? Other than they come in different rpm variants? (500,1200,1900rpm for the slipstream and 800, 1200, 1600 for the s-flex. both have incredibly quiet ratings on their 800/500 rpm variants)

[Webby]

They are completely different fans the S-Flex has a fluid dynamic bearing (which is very very good) the Slipstreams use a sleeve bearing (what most fans use) the number and pitch of the blades are also very different which result in different airflows, noise levels and pressure ratings.

Basically the slipstreams are cheap (ish) and make good low noise case fans but due to the sleeve bearings they work better when vertical they are not so good as fans for on heatsinks or watercooling radiators. The S-Flex are just very good all round fans however they have a price premium because of it (they are fine working in any orientation).

[The_Ollienator]

Hmm thank you for that - it is very re-assuring.

I think i will look into getting some of the s-flex. Anyone had any experience with the 800rpm versions? Don't really want to get messing around with voltages etc.

Have to hope the 55nm 260s go down in price now, can afford fans then

Suggestions for 140mm fans?

[Pob255]

140mm are thin on the ground, probably your best bet is the sharkoon 900rpm ones
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/140-S...-900rpm-22db(A)
or the 1200rpm one
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/140mm...1200rpm-27db(A)
They are not that expensive and I do like them (well the 120mm versions)
But not up to the high build quality of a Scythe S-FLEX (thoes things are the best fans I've used, but are not cheap)

The silverstone fans are quite good for cost vs air flow vs noise
basically look for fans around 1200 rpm for the best noise vs air flow ballence
900rpm or lower tend to move very little air but are very quiet
1600rpm or higher move far more air but get louder.

If you replace the fans you may also want to consider a fan controller
The Alasa AK-FC-06 is fine if you only need to control 3 fans and is cheap + 2additional front usb ports
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/AKASA...2-USB-20-ports

EDIT: oh yes to do the volt mod thing you have to swap the pins around on the molex connector, however you can damage your psu by doing this, you swap the earth with the 5v so you feed the 12v back down the 5v, which generates resistance but is not that healthy for a psu.

EDIT2: Another cheap way to reduce the voltage of 3 pin fans (other tan a fan cotroller)
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Shark...-RPM-and-Noise)

PS did you watch the hexus.tv show I linked to before? if not Go watch it and the others in the series.

EDIT3: Don't go for the 800rpm S-Flex they are very very quite but I think a coughing vole generates as much air flow. 1200rpm s-flex are the best IMO, although the 1600rpm are not bad, they are still fairly quiet but they are audioble.

EDIT4: if you really get into tring t cut the noise get one of these as well
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Shark...-PC-components)
Lots of bits for a low price.

[The_Ollienator]

140mm are thin on the ground, probably your best bet is the sharkoon 900rpm ones
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/140-S...-900rpm-22db(A)
or the 1200rpm one
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/140mm...1200rpm-27db(A)
They are not that expensive and I do like them (well the 120mm versions)
But not up to the high build quality of a Scythe S-FLEX (thoes things are the best fans I've used, but are not cheap)

The silverstone fans are quite good for cost vs air flow vs noise
basically look for fans around 1200 rpm for the best noise vs air flow ballence
900rpm or lower tend to move very little air but are very quiet
1600rpm or higher move far more air but get louder.

If you replace the fans you may also want to consider a fan controller
The Alasa AK-FC-06 is fine if you only need to control 3 fans and is cheap + 2additional front usb ports
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/AKASA...2-USB-20-ports

EDIT: oh yes to do the volt mod thing you have to swap the pins around on the molex connector, however you can damage your psu by doing this, you swap the earth with the 5v so you feed the 12v back down the 5v, which generates resistance but is not that healthy for a psu.

EDIT2: Another cheap way to reduce the voltage of 3 pin fans (other tan a fan cotroller)
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Shark...-RPM-and-Noise)

PS did you watch the hexus.tv show I linked to before? if not Go watch it and the others in the series.

EDIT3: Don't go for the 800rpm S-Flex they are very very quite but I think a coughing vole generates as much air flow. 1200rpm s-flex are the best IMO, although the 1600rpm are not bad, they are still fairly quiet but they are audioble.

Thanks very much, but 3/4 links are broken. I'm assuming that means they are out of stock or something?

Thanks for the heads up about the 800rpm will look into the 1200rpm ones.

Also, yes i did watch the hexus.tv shows - they were helpful in terms of locating the sound source - i must have forgotten to thank you. My apologies.

For the top 140mm fan, would you recommend the 1200rpm again? conscious of how much noise a larger fan makes.

Thanks for all the help,

(ps. great forum!)

[Webby]

Oh you can also consider the Thermalright fans like this one http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Therm...at-max-1000RPM the are also 2000 and 1600rpm versions they appear to be very similar to the S-Flex but are a little cheaper you could also try these Arctic cooling fans 1000rpm FDB and less than £3 each could be worth a try You could also look at the Nanoxia fans they come with a fan speed controller and anti-vibe mounts http://www.chilledpc.co.uk/shop/index.php?cPath=75_150

[[DW]Cougho]

i had major problems with vibrations on my Lian li v1000+, i tried everything - replacing fans with yate loons with anti-vibration mounts, blue tac on side panels and lots more.

The one thing that shut it up was the suspending of my HDD's with elastic, its bliss now. It's the one mod i would always recommend as its so cheap and the results are great.

[Pob255]

Ok that's really odd they were working when posted
Safest if you look them up on scan's web site

LN21544 140mm Sharkoon System Fan Series 900rpm

LN21542 140mm Sharkoon System Fan Series 1200rpm

LN21015 Sharkoon 3pin Voltage Adaptor Cable 12V -> 9.5V

LN22448 Sharkoon Silencer Kit (Bumper Package of Anti-Noise/Vibration parts for your PC components)

The last one is great consists of:
Fan Rubber Bolts (12 x, long) – for vibration-free fan mounting (e.g. for CPU fans)
Fan Rubber Bolts (8 x, medium) – for vibration-free fan mounting (e.g. for system fans)
Fan Rubber Bolts (6 x, short) – for vibration-free fan mounting (e.g. for PSU fan)
Anti-Vibration Screws – for vibration-free mounting of peripheral devices (e.g. HDDs)
Anti-Vibration Washers (24 x, self-adhesive) – screw sponge foam
Rubber Case Feet (4 x, self-adhesive) – rubber case feet for chassis decoupling
So enough for 5 fans, the psu, soft case feet and foat gromments for hdd and dvd mounting, all for the grand total of £8.61 Inc VAT

what is it about scan that only the sharkoon links broke?

[The_Ollienator]

Aye, i think i will likely pick up a set of those. shame, its only 1 fan short.

My case already has feet though - will those be better? ill have to check if i can even remove the current ones.

I won't need to use the CPU fan mounts either, my AF7 is already suspended on rubber mounts.

Could be still be uses as system fan mounts or are they too big?

[Pob255]

Yes they should work fine with case fans the main difference is the length
Here's a big pic of the contense of that set
http://www.sharkoon.com/pix/illus/hi...ncer_kit_1.jpg

[Biscuit]

All my stuff arrived today. The enermax fans are pretty good! They certainly look the part but as i thought, the ratings are lies. Noise levels are more like 20dB (still pretty damn quiet) and the sensor on the variable fan is too sensitive if anything! Its on my hard drive which is at 40c and the fan is running at 800-900RPM. Doesnt seem to move as much air as the ratings say but its definately enough, especially if its for an exhaust or intake. One thing i was really impressed with was the rubber fan mounts, they are far superior to those that come with the Sharkoon fans ie more solid and actually hold the fans more securely to the case. If i was to get anymoew i would just buy the white ones, they have PWM function but they work perfectly fine on normal 3pin pan adaptors. The 92mm does give off quite a whine at full speed but thats not suprising as its 2000Rpm.

The GTX260 is fantastic, just need to get the Q6600 so i can stop the bottleneck on it and get some proper benchies.

[The_Ollienator]

All my stuff arrived today. The enermax fans are pretty good! They certainly look the part but as i thought, the ratings are lies. Noise levels are more like 20dB (still pretty damn quiet) and the sensor on the variable fan is too sensitive if anything! Its on my hard drive which is at 40c and the fan is running at 800-900RPM. Doesnt seem to move as much air as the ratings say but its definately enough, especially if its for an exhaust or intake. One thing i was really impressed with was the rubber fan mounts, they are far superior to those that come with the Sharkoon fans ie more solid and actually hold the fans more securely to the case. If i was to get anymoew i would just buy the white ones, they have PWM function but they work perfectly fine on normal 3pin pan adaptors. The 92mm does give off quite a whine at full speed but thats not suprising as its 2000Rpm.

The GTX260 is fantastic, just need to get the Q6600 so i can stop the bottleneck on it and get some proper benchies.

Nice, thanks for the heads up.

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Just did a "Silent" boot with all fans unplugged to check the PSU noise. It's actually pretty damn noisy, and i have now discovered its the reason the floor vibrates when my pc turns off. I'm guessing you can't replace the fan in a PSU though - would be dangerous i imagine.

You know those anti-vibe screws included in that silencer kit? Well do the screws on PSUs have like some things do, and when you unscrew it breaks a blob of paint and so they know if you've tampered with the unit when you send it back for a warranty/rma call.

[The_Ollienator]

ok just about to order.

Getting the following.

GTX 260 SSC 55nm
3 packs of these http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/8-Acousti-Ultr...3A1|240%3A1318
and one of these http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Asete...otherboard-Kit

How bad can a cheap fan controller be? Surely it just does its job and thats it.

[Million]

I always found that graphics card and motherboard fans were the source of most noise, the single most effective thing i've done for noise however is case choice - I use an antec P180. The 300 has very little in the way of noise reduction as it's more of a gaming chassis I suppose