karlj1
join:2004-01-25
Ottawa, ON
|  Which is better for a 100% silent PC...
Hi,
I'm trying to make a PC that I have in the living room really quiet and I don't know which is better.
Option 1: A "silent" ATX power supply
Option 2: A "fanless" ATX power supply
If you consider I'll only have one hard drive in a desktop case, airflow shouldn't be a problem but I'm not sure. Cost is about even so I don't know which is better/worse.
Anyone used both? I think the "fanless" option would be quieter, but I have concerns regarding overheating. (Btw, it's a P4 2Ghz system.)
Thoughts...?
K. |
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Weirdal
Premium
join:2003-06-28
Lincoln, NE | Might want to try here:
»Silent PCs
(or just wait till this is moved) |
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FastEddie
iMod
join:2000-12-29
Channel Z
Host:
All Things Unix
Mozilla Software
Cyberonic
Rogers
Gadgets
| reply to karlj1
It's really better to have a power supply with a fan in it because after all it is supplying power to the whole computer. I have a  Aspire Q-Pack small form factor setup and between 120mm exhuast and the fan in the power supply the things is really quiet.
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Here's To You |
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Gem
Premium
join:2005-09-10
 ·CableOne
| reply to karlj1
I would opt for the "silent" ATX power supply with a 120mm or 140mm PSU exhaust fan. That will cool the PSU and should provide sufficient cooling to obviate the need for a case fan.
With your 2Ghz P4, a fanless cooler should work just fine, at least it does with my 2.2Ghz. It has no case fan, no heatsink fan, and only a 120mm fan on the PSU.
It is barely audible.
The CPU runs about 10F warmer under a load than it did with a fan, but still will within the processor specs.
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Friends with "fanless" power supplies say they run hot - too hot to touch. That increases the need for case fans and increases the load on the heatsink fan, which raises the noise level to what may be more than that previously generated by a PSU fan.... and around we go. |
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karlj1
join:2004-01-25
Ottawa, ON | Thanks for all the replies.
I think I'll go for a silent PSU with a fan.
I'll let you know how it goes.
K. |
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Gem
Premium
join:2005-09-10 | Are you using a fanless cpu cooler? I found the heatsink fan made more noise than a 120mm PSU fan.
Going to a fanless cpu cooler (the tower kind with fins and heat pipes for $50 or so) created a near silent computer here. |
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Lenny_Nero
join:2005-03-11
England | reply to karlj1
Seasonic make very good and quiet PSU's, I have a basic S12 (~430w) and a Corsair HX 620 (made by Seasonic) and both are very quiet, I have not had the HX 620 under any real load as its in a new build. |
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crankkase
comcast.net
Premium
join:2006-12-27
Lake City, TN
·Comcast
| reply to karlj1
My PC sounds exactly like a hair dryer on low...and I hate the noise but love the temps. I think it is the ducting mod I have between the fan and heat sink, but it wouldnt stay in an acceptable heat range with out it.There is probably much quiter stuff on the market now then 3 yrs ago when I built it. |
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Kylemaul
Lovin' My Firefox 1.5.x
Premium
join:2001-03-30
North Port, FL
clubs: | reply to karlj1
Twin intercoolers with a 24" belt-driven fan all powered by 327 cubic inches keeps me pretty cool, but I gotta find a quieter muffler...
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