Argh! Noisy PC!

Author
elsongs
Max Output Level: -84 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 306
  • Joined: 2010/03/02 16:16:02
  • Location: Los Angeles, CA
  • Status: offline
2012/12/12 03:09:17 (permalink)

Argh! Noisy PC!

Over the Summer I built a new i7 PC DAW, which runs like butter, but I find the fan noise annoying. It's in an Antec Solo II case with a Kingwin 650W PSU and a freaking huge Zalman CPU fan. The CPU fan's noise level is minimal, so the PSU fan seems to be the bulk of the noise.

The Solo has a grill vent right over the PSU, so there's some sound leakage there. What are my options? Should I get a different PSU? If so, how can I find out how loud it is? There's no way to test a PSU unless it's fully plugged into the motherboard.

My last DAW had an Antec Sonata case, and the noise was nearly nonexistent, no matter what PSU I put in.

Any suggestions?


Elson Trinidad Los Angeles, CA, USA
Web: www.elsongs.com
Twitter: twitter.com/elsongs

DAWs: Cakewalk by Bandlab, Cakewalk Sonar Platinum x64, Propellerhead Reason 9, Presonus Studio One v3
OS: Windows 10 Professional 
CPU: Intel i7 3820 3.6MHz 
MB: ASRock X79 Xtreme4
RAM: Corsair Vengeance 16GB DDR3
Audio: Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 2nd Generation
MIDI: MOTU Microlite & Novation Impulse 61
#1

6 Replies Related Threads

    fireberd
    Max Output Level: -38 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 3704
    • Joined: 2008/02/25 14:14:28
    • Location: Inverness, FL
    • Status: offline
    Re:Argh! Noisy PC! 2012/12/12 06:28:14 (permalink)
    I have an Antec power supply in my new build (this past summer).  I bought it as it was advertised as quiet and it is.

    Antec High Current Gamer HCG-620M Modular

    "GCSG Productions"
    Franklin D-10 Pedal Steel Guitar (primary instrument). Nashville Telecaster, Bass, etc. 
    ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero M/B, i7 6700K CPU, 16GB Ram, SSD and conventional hard drives, Win 10 Pro and Win 10 Pro Insider Pre-Release
    Sonar Platinum/CbB. MOTU 896MK3 Hybrid, Tranzport, X-Touch, JBL LSR308 Monitors,  
    Ozone 5,  Studio One 4.1
    ISRC Registered
    Member of Nashville based R.O.P.E. Assn.
    #2
    Eddie TX
    Max Output Level: -68 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 1104
    • Joined: 2012/08/15 11:47:42
    • Status: offline
    Re:Argh! Noisy PC! 2012/12/12 11:10:51 (permalink)
    Several PSUs are fanless or have fans that run only when needed.  I have a Seasonic X650 and its fan never spins up (at least, not that I've noticed), so it's dead silent.  Seasonic makes a fanless model, too.  Check the reviews on Newegg -- they'll usually say whether a PSU is quiet or not.
     
    Cheers,
    Eddie

    Sonar X3 Producer / Win 10 
    The future exists in all directions.
    #3
    Jim Roseberry
    Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 9871
    • Joined: 2004/03/23 11:34:51
    • Location: Ohio
    • Status: offline
    Re:Argh! Noisy PC! 2012/12/12 14:03:12 (permalink)
    Hi Elson,

    Replace the noisy PS with a quiet unit...
    Problem solved.

    Thermaltake and Corsair both make quiet units.

    Best Regards,

    Jim Roseberry
    jim@studiocat.com
    www.studiocat.com
    #4
    elsongs
    Max Output Level: -84 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 306
    • Joined: 2010/03/02 16:16:02
    • Location: Los Angeles, CA
    • Status: offline
    Re:Argh! Noisy PC! 2012/12/12 15:23:44 (permalink)
      What exactly is a "quiet unit?" Isn't it all just marketing hyperbole? My Kingwin PSU boasts a "Silent cooling fan." Silent my butt!

    Elson Trinidad Los Angeles, CA, USA
    Web: www.elsongs.com
    Twitter: twitter.com/elsongs

    DAWs: Cakewalk by Bandlab, Cakewalk Sonar Platinum x64, Propellerhead Reason 9, Presonus Studio One v3
    OS: Windows 10 Professional 
    CPU: Intel i7 3820 3.6MHz 
    MB: ASRock X79 Xtreme4
    RAM: Corsair Vengeance 16GB DDR3
    Audio: Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 2nd Generation
    MIDI: MOTU Microlite & Novation Impulse 61
    #5
    Jim Roseberry
    Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 9871
    • Joined: 2004/03/23 11:34:51
    • Location: Ohio
    • Status: offline
    Re:Argh! Noisy PC! 2012/12/12 16:00:35 (permalink)
    Can't trust the labels (especially on lower cost units)
    Need to test... or get a referral/recommendation to be sure.

    If you see quiet listed on a Thermaltake or Corsair PS box, you can believe it.




    Best Regards,

    Jim Roseberry
    jim@studiocat.com
    www.studiocat.com
    #6
    Jonbouy
    Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 22562
    • Joined: 2008/04/14 13:47:39
    • Location: England's Sunshine South Coast
    • Status: offline
    Re:Argh! Noisy PC! 2012/12/12 17:45:03 (permalink)
    You have no case fans?
     
    I've found those to be more of a noise problem than any PSU ones I've yet to come across.
     
    My PSU is fanless so is silent but it's not 650w.
     
    Thing is though if any component is too noisy there is no other choice that works other than a quieter replacement.
    post edited by Jonbouy - 2012/12/12 17:48:04

    "We can't do anything to change the world until capitalism crumbles.
    In the meantime we should all go shopping to console ourselves" - Banksy
    #7
    Jump to:
    © 2024 APG vNext Commercial Version 5.1