Opteron processors and noise - any help please?

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mick335
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2006/11/30 11:32:28 (permalink)

Opteron processors and noise - any help please?

Hi folks. Sorry if this is possibly OT, but I have recently upgraded to an HP (XW9300) workstation with dual Opteron 280s. Unfortunately, running this system is like running a wind tunnel test, and way too noisy to use in a recording environment.

I've already disabled the 'full speed' thermal options in the BIOS. Does anyone have any other suggestions, other than moving the system into a closet, or spending $2500 on a 'baffle box'?

Although the unit's fans are obviously optimised for the system, perhaps someone could recommend quieter fans?

Would appreciate any help.

Thanks, Mick.
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    bmdaustin
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    RE: Opteron processors and noise - any help please? 2006/11/30 11:35:01 (permalink)
    http://www.quietpc.com/

    Paul Baker
    Baker's Jazz And More
    http://www.bakersjazzandmore.com
    #2
    mick335
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    RE: Opteron processors and noise - any help please? 2006/11/30 11:44:18 (permalink)
    Thanks Paul. I'll work my way through the web site.

    Regards, Mick.
    #3
    Boogie
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    RE: Opteron processors and noise - any help please? 2006/11/30 12:18:45 (permalink)
    Mick,

    Which motherboard are you running your Opterons with?

    #4
    mick335
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    RE: Opteron processors and noise - any help please? 2006/11/30 12:22:12 (permalink)
    Hi Boogie. Unfortunately it is not that easy - it's an HP system, so a proprietary board, specifically to an HP design.

    Thanks, Mick.
    #5
    Boogie
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    RE: Opteron processors and noise - any help please? 2006/11/30 12:38:47 (permalink)

    ORIGINAL: mick335

    Hi Boogie. Unfortunately it is not that easy - it's an HP system, so a proprietary board, specifically to an HP design.

    Thanks, Mick.


    Ah, I see. I ask because I'm sort of in the same boat. My dual-Opteron board is the MSI K8T Master2, and due to limited motherboard real estate, they used smaller, higher-RPM fans which sound like a wind tunnel as well, even with an Antec Quiet Case. I've put the box on the other side of my desk which helps, but still not enough. It's quiet enough if I enable the quiet thermal option in the BIOS, which adjusts the RPM depending on the temperature, but I don't trust the thermal sensors and I don't want to toast my CPUs.

    I'm considering closeting the box as well; that's my next studio "project". Many of those "baffle boxes" cost more than it did for me to build the PC!

    #6
    mick335
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    RE: Opteron processors and noise - any help please? 2006/11/30 13:55:08 (permalink)
    Oh, woe! I'm gonna give the server / workstation guys at AMD a call and ask what they suggest. I'll get you a response.

    Regards, Mick.
    #7
    jcschild
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    RE: Opteron processors and noise - any help please? 2006/11/30 14:05:41 (permalink)
    Bummer!

    my AMD Opteron systems are dead quiet!

    i would use the Zalman 9500 for the fans
    plus you will have to address the noisey case fans as well

    Scott
    ADK
    #8
    UnderTow
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    RE: Opteron processors and noise - any help please? 2006/11/30 14:10:41 (permalink)
    I replaced my stock Opteron fans with a pair of Zalman CNPS9500 LED fans. I'm very happy with the switch. The CPUs run cooler with much less noise. (Fans are not even running at full speed. Arround 2000 RPM).

    Other stuff I have to cool and quieten the DAW:
    Lian Li 676 casing
    2xIBL HDD 30 silent disk drive "enclosures"
    2x Scythe Kama 120mm front fans
    1x IBL 12/1000 120mm back fan
    All the internal surfaces of the casing are covered in IBL damping mats.

    UnderTow
    post edited by UnderTow - 2006/11/30 14:29:23
    #9
    mick335
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    RE: Opteron processors and noise - any help please? 2006/11/30 14:10:46 (permalink)
    Thanks Scott! I'll check them out.
    #10
    Junski
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    RE: Opteron processors and noise - any help please? 2006/11/30 14:15:33 (permalink)
    If the PC case is 'cheaply' made, it just boosts every noise coming inside the box.
    - when you get those case/CPU fans silenced, you start to hear other noises (like HD reads/writes).

    Junski


    #11
    mick335
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    RE: Opteron processors and noise - any help please? 2006/11/30 14:38:45 (permalink)
    And thanks UnderTow, too!
    #12
    Dave Malaguti [Cakewalk]
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    RE: Opteron processors and noise - any help please? 2006/11/30 15:54:14 (permalink)

    ORIGINAL: Boogie
    Ah, I see. I ask because I'm sort of in the same boat. My dual-Opteron board is the MSI K8T Master2, and due to limited motherboard real estate, they used smaller, higher-RPM fans which sound like a wind tunnel as well, even with an Antec Quiet Case. I've put the box on the other side of my desk which helps, but still not enough. It's quiet enough if I enable the quiet thermal option in the BIOS, which adjusts the RPM depending on the temperature, but I don't trust the thermal sensors and I don't want to toast my CPUs.


    For what it's worth, my main test system uses the same board with a couple of Opteron 240s. I keep the the fans throttled back and processor temps have always stayed well within spec. I use the most conservative setting and even then I've never gotten to the point where the fans have had to throttle back up. I've run it this way all day, five days a week (plus the odd weekend) for a couple of years now and the procs have been fine. YMMV, of course, but as long as your case has reasonable ventilation, you should be fine. The noise reduction is well worth it.
    #13
    Steve_Karl
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    RE: Opteron processors and noise - any help please? 2006/11/30 16:19:53 (permalink)

    ORIGINAL: jcschild

    Bummer!

    my AMD Opteron systems are dead quiet!

    i would use the Zalman 9500 for the fans
    plus you will have to address the noisey case fans as well

    Scott
    ADK



    Hey Scott,

    What do you think about this for a replacement for the fan on the northbridge of my msi neo2platinum?
    http://www.sharkacomputers.com/nezanbnofano.html

    Thanks,








    Steve Karl
    https://soundcloud.com/steve_karl
    SPLAT 2017.01
    #14
    Boogie
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    RE: Opteron processors and noise - any help please? 2006/11/30 17:00:46 (permalink)

    ORIGINAL: Dave Malaguti [Cakewalk]


    ORIGINAL: Boogie
    Ah, I see. I ask because I'm sort of in the same boat. My dual-Opteron board is the MSI K8T Master2, and due to limited motherboard real estate, they used smaller, higher-RPM fans which sound like a wind tunnel as well, even with an Antec Quiet Case. I've put the box on the other side of my desk which helps, but still not enough. It's quiet enough if I enable the quiet thermal option in the BIOS, which adjusts the RPM depending on the temperature, but I don't trust the thermal sensors and I don't want to toast my CPUs.


    For what it's worth, my main test system uses the same board with a couple of Opteron 240s. I keep the the fans throttled back and processor temps have always stayed well within spec. I use the most conservative setting and even then I've never gotten to the point where the fans have had to throttle back up. I've run it this way all day, five days a week (plus the odd weekend) for a couple of years now and the procs have been fine. YMMV, of course, but as long as your case has reasonable ventilation, you should be fine. The noise reduction is well worth it.


    Interesting...

    Thanks for this, Dave. You're using the stock fans that came with the motherboard I presume?

    #15
    LionSound
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    RE: Opteron processors and noise - any help please? 2006/11/30 19:37:04 (permalink)
    I bought my quieting gear from quietpcusa.com.

    I use a Zalman fan with the fan speed turned down, silentMaxx disk enclosurs, quiet case fans with the speed turned down, a very quiet OCZ power supply, and I lined the inside of my rackmount case with the accoustipack deluxe v2 kit. I love that store for silencing gear.

    www.soundclick.com/lionsound

    FirstStrike 1.2 IS RELEASED! www.fsmod.com
    #16
    jcschild
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    RE: Opteron processors and noise - any help please? 2006/11/30 21:26:02 (permalink)

    ORIGINAL: Steve_Karl


    ORIGINAL: jcschild

    Bummer!

    my AMD Opteron systems are dead quiet!

    i would use the Zalman 9500 for the fans
    plus you will have to address the noisey case fans as well

    Scott
    ADK



    Hey Scott,

    What do you think about this for a replacement for the fan on the northbridge of my msi neo2platinum?
    http://www.sharkacomputers.com/nezanbnofano.html

    Thanks,










    yup we used to use them all the time with faned NB's

    Scott
    ADK
    #17
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