Making my PC quieter

[Englander]

First of all, my current specs are over there:

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At the moment, my PC is a fairly loud thing, especially when I'm folding (which is just about all the time), and I want it to be quieter.

PSU: At the moment I have some random Silverstone 500W PSU which on the box said something to the effect of "super silent". It is not. Bearing in mind my system specs, is there anything in the region of &#163;50 which would serve me nicely into the future and is also very quiet? I'm not overly fussed over whether or not it is modular - I don't have a problem with a slightly untidy case!

CPU: I've come across this on scan and was wondering how effective it is. Any ideas? I wouldn't mind paying that price if it really is quiet and keeps my temperatures down. Current temps are high fifties.

GPU: Haven't really got a clue here. All I know is that the fan (80mm I believe) whines like crazy when it's under load, which, as mentioned before, is just about all the time. PNY is the manufacturer if that helps, otherwise, does anyone have any suggestions for aftermarket coolers? I couldn't spy any on scan but haven't really looked elsewhere yet. Current temps are about 80.

It might also be worth adding that nothing is overclocked at the moment, but it has been in the past and over the summer I may raise a few clock speeds by a few hertz. I wouldn't be doing anything serious, just a modest OC of a couple hundred Hertz.

Any help is greatly appreciated,
Michael.

EDIT:
For future reference:
GPU: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/150983
PSU: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/144086
CPU: http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Xigma...uad-Core-Ready

[staffsMike]

Case?

CPU cooler. As I always get them.. I'd get a scythe ninja II But a thermalright 120 or Xigmatec Tower will get your temps and noise down.

Gpu. Arctic cooling accelero sounds like what you need. They can be run passive in a decent case but you can easily strap a 120mm fan to it which can be as quiet as you make it. (Will take up 3 slots with the fan though).

PSU, you don't need 500W. Ebuyer are selling Enermax MODU82+ 425W's for about &#163;50 or PROe 425W for about &#163;45. The modu is the quietest psu I've ever used, calling it quiet wouldn't do it justice.
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/144086
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/144083

[Englander]

Case?

CPU cooler. As I always get them.. I'd get a scythe ninja II But a thermalright 120 or Xigmatec Tower will get your temps and noise down.

Gpu. Arctic cooling accelero sounds like what you need. They can be run passive in a decent case but you can easily strap a 120mm fan to it which can be as quiet as you make it. (Will take up 3 slots with the fan though).

PSU, you don't need 500W. Ebuyer are selling Enermax MODU82+ 425W's for about &#163;50 or PROe 425W for about &#163;45. The modu is the quietest psu I've ever used, calling it quiet wouldn't do it justice.
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/144086
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/144083

Thanks a lot for that Mike

My dad's just come to pick me up so I'll find out the case for you and post back this evening

[Hicks12]

Agreed with mike, Xigmatec coolers are great albeit i cant remember how quiet the stock fan is as i had the s963 and swapped the fan for an akasa amber one and its silent now while keeping temps low. So having the 120mm version will do even better and be quieter!.

GPU: Depends on how quiet you want it, silent or just quiet?. My gpu is loud and its a dual slot cooler but apparently these are the best: Arctic Cooling Accelero Xtreme , i was looking at a new cooler for mine and this seemed to come ontop in cooling performance and quietness but you will need to check if it fits 8800GT as i was looking specifically for a 9800GTX cooler. Whats your budget aswell?.

PSU: i wish my PSU was silent, enermax or corsair probably the quietest but i recommend not buying the Xclio psu as mines not the quietest but its stable and yet all reviews said it was amazing so could of been a faulty one...

[staffsMike]

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Arcti...eatpipes-(4850)

That extreme looks awesome but the normal accelero with a 120mm fan strapped to it, undervolted as it only needs minimal airflow really.. will be super quiet

[Englander]

It's all in an akasa Zen Tower case:

http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=723916

No thought or planning went into the case purchase (stupidly) so I genuinely don't know what its cooling prowess is like.

Budget for the GPU is &#163;30 ish. Willing to negotiate depending on unforseen circumstances.

Thanks for your input, too, Hicks. I'll check out all these links and come back with a verdict.

[staffsMike]

It's not a bad case. 2x120mm fans. Budget end but reasonable as a quiet case I'm sure.

I'd probably do what I said in the first post.

[Englander]

It's not a bad case. 2x120mm fans. Budget end but reasonable as a quiet case I'm sure.

I'd probably do what I said in the first post.

Yes, I can cofirm that the fans on the case are silent - certainly inaudible over the rest of the computer. Actually, whilst I remember, there is a nice slot on the side panel for another fan. Is it worth installing one to help air flow? (extract or push cooler air in.)

So here's an update:

PSU: I think I'll opt for the modular one linked to previously.

GPU: Hicks, the one you linked to only mentions 9800 so I'm not sure if it's compatible. Mike, the one you linked too doesn't have 8800GT in the list of compatible GPUs. "nVIDIA: GeForce 7950, 7900, 7800, 6800 series (except 7X00 GS AGP)"

CPU: Stuck choosing between the Sycthe Ninja II and the Xigmatek S1283. Apparently the Xigmatek shifts a lot more air...

Also, would I need any thermal paste for any of these things?

[staffsMike]

Yeah I would suggest the xigmatek but buy the scythe.. lol

There are a couple of revisions to the model but ive certainly seen it on the 8800GT.

[staffsMike]

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article793-page1.html S1 maybe..

[Englander]

Yeah I would suggest the xigmatek but buy the scythe.. lol

There are a couple of revisions to the model but ive certainly seen it on the 8800GT.

Ah how about this: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/150983

[staffsMike]

Noctua is the only one I can think that is good. Akasa do ambers in that size as well though

[Englander]

Noctua is the only one I can think that is good. Akasa do ambers in that size as well though

Sorry, I found the accelero version you mentioned earlier on ebuyer (edited previous post). I think it's the same one as the one in thatreview you linked, but comes with 2 fans. Based on price, I think that's what I'll settle for.

So, PSU is sorted, GPU is sorted and CPU is sorted (Xigmatek).

Finally, much benefit in a case fan on the side?

You've been a fantastic help, Mike

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

It's all in an akasa Zen Tower case:

http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=723916

No thought or planning went into the case purchase (stupidly) so I genuinely don't know what its cooling prowess is like.

Budget for the GPU is £30 ish. Willing to negotiate depending on unforseen circumstances.

Thanks for your input, too, Hicks. I'll check out all these links and come back with a verdict.

I used an Akasa Zen for a build at work. The fans do get a bit noisy when set to medium speeds upwards though.

[dfour]

Finally, much benefit in a case fan on the side?

Yes. It will help cool the graphics card and north/south bridge.

[Englander]

Yes. It will help cool the graphics card and north/south bridge.

Pushing air in or taking air out?

The reason I'm asking is because I've read that it can disrupt air flow in the case which apparently isn't great.

EDIT: decent 120mm fan suggestions would also be top