Silverstone case - incredibly irritating problem

[AD-15]

hello,

I bought a 3XS system from Scan a couple of years ago (warranty finished this year). From the day I had it, I had intermittent problems with loud vibrations coming from the case (almost like a buzzing or rattling?).

I found that if I pushed on certain areas (like the front of an optical drive, or the front/side of the case) the sound would completely disappear. As soon as I let go, it returns. When I informed Scan, I think it was Ben Smith who came round and had a look for me. The side panel was noticably bent, so this was swapped for me, and the problems went away for a while.

However, since then they come and go, but now it is really bad. The noise is especially loud when using an optical drive, during the "spin-up" of the disk. If remove the disk and put it back in, this time putting pressure on the front, the spin-up is much quieter, with the additional vibrations gone.

Assuming it's a problem with the case, I'm hoping it's just to do with a loose screw or something. But I can't find any.

If there is a more major fault with the case, maybe something that is damaged, what are my options? Considering the Scan warranty/insurance has now expired? If it is something to do with significant damage to the case (not that I can see any ), as it has been there since I got the system, would I be covered?

I could try and see if I can pick up the problem in a recording, and send it in an email, if this would help?

I'd also appreciate it if I could get a response to this ASAP, as I was planning on starting a core i7 build in this case, and this has been put on hold until I can fix these problems with the case.

Thanks,

Odai.

[PeteG@Scan]

They do all rattle to some extent when optical drives are spinning, and no matter what case you have this is pretty unavoidable. They are the fastest moving parts in any case and any vibration from them does get amplified by the case itself which is what your hearing.

I've got another tj09 sat here that does just that when you insert a disk into it. I've tested a lot of cases in the last couple of years and pretty much all the aluminum cases will do it to some extent and the only way to minimise it, is to go with a secc (steel hybrid) case as we do for the audio recording range. You won't see this with small (i.e. media center cases) as the isn't enough surface area for the metal for the reverberations to accumulate but they are not suitable for overclocking.

The's a number of things you can look into as after market solutions. We do vibration damperners for cds and harddrives which can help reduce the vibrations at source and the sound proofing kits can help not only reduce the noise level but also to add weight to the side panels which will reduce the vibration less in use. I think I recall you have a window paneled case through so that may not be workable.

These maybe worth a shot although I haven't tested them on that case:

http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=800110

If you can make use of the antivibration screws to decouple the drive it may help.

[AD-15]

hello,

Thanks for your reply.

It's good to hear it's unlikely to be a fault - less of a headache.

Is there any where I can get those screws you mention on their own? I have no need for anything else in that kit - the hard drive cages have anti-vibration strips on them, and the fans are about to be replaced with models that come with anti-vibration grommets.

[Fraz]

Hi AD-15,

I'm presuming this is an aluminium case... if so, I had similar problems, and it drove me nuts. I don't have a solution for your optical drive problems, but the most likely cause of vibrations in the chassis other than the optical drive will be from the hard disk. My aluminium chassis used to buzz and hum erratically, and in the end I decided to suspend the hard disks from elastic. It took me about 15 minutes to do, and cost about 50p. Solved the problem nicely. I'd give it a go before buying anything more expensive. I tried a number of different solutions, but nothing even came close to the elastic suspension. Basically you do something like this:

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article8-page2.html

[Fraz]

In fact, here is a picture of what I managed to do. It's not very neat, but works perfectly:

[Main]

First up, apologies that this isn't what the Scan section of the forums is for...

...but damn Fraz you should stick that link in you sig or something, it's something that belongs in a section of "dirt cheap mods everybody should know about" and I can't believe that article is dated 2002!

I need to figure out a way of doing this in my Shuttle, hard drive vibration is one of the biggest problems for them as far as noise goes...

[PeteG@Scan]

Fraz - Whilst it doesn't help with opticals that is a good link. I've done that before on a few of my own machines and it does indeed work a treat.

AD-15 - We don't do the rubber screws on their own i'm afraid. The kits are done by Sharkoon so they may offer them in their own packs, but I can't see anything out lists that looks relevent.

[Zak33]

you can do other things to help subdue either optical or hard drives.

If the drive is in a bay that it cant fall out of if the screws aren't fitted, then go find a piece of thick foam pad (such as the adhesive pads you can buy from stationery shops) and use 4 of those on the sides of the drive.. then push it into the case... ypu'll need to force it, and if you don't... .you've not used enough pads.. put another couple of for width. That works fantastically. But it's ugly.

If you know anyone in the motor trade, ask them to get one of the sheets of adhesive foam pad that are sed behind the number plates on new cars. Many manufacturers put them in the car for their Pre Delivery Inspection. Not all cars need them. One of those lasted me years

[AD-15]

Sorry, missed the new posts. Thanks again for your advice!

Fraz, that looks quite impressive. Might try it.

Regarding the optical drives, I did think of simply using one of those cleaning sponges (unused obv.), and pulling the foam off of that. I could stick the screws through some foam and then screw them into the drive (in the cage)?

[PeteG@Scan]

As far a quick mods go that should be worth a try. Alll your looking to do is decouple the drive from the chassis so anything that can help do that should be worth a shot.