0 fans on abit IX38 quadGT inside P182
Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 7:51 pm
EDIT 1.3.2010 (It's good to have current system specs in the beginning of the first post, right?)
Sound level
- inaudible from 0,8m when HDD's are in sleep
- audible from +6m when HDD's are spinning
Temperatures IDLE (ambient 22,5C)
MB 37 °C (98 °F)
CPU 39 °C (102 °F)
Core1 44 °C (111 °F)
Core2 40 °C (104 °F)
PWM1 54 °C (129 °F)
PWM2 55 °C (131 °F)
PWM3 55 °C (131 °F)
PWM4 53 °C (127 °F)
PWM5 52 °C (126 °F)
GPU 62 °C (144 °F)
Seagate ST3750330AS 35 °C (95 °F)
WDC WD7500AACS-00D6B1 44 °C (111 °F)
Temperatures STRESS TEST (CPU, FPU, Cache, MEM, GPU @ 100% load for long enough, no more rise visible. Ambient at 22,5)
MB 40 °C (104 °F)
CPU 46 °C (115 °F)
Core1 50 °C (122 °F)
Core2 46 °C (115 °F)
PWM1 56 °C (133 °F)
PWM2 56 °C (133 °F)
PWM3 57 °C (135 °F)
PWM4 55 °C (131 °F)
PWM5 54 °C (129 °F)
GPU 77 °C (171 °F)
Seagate ST3750330AS 41 °C (106 °F)
WDC WD7500AACS-00D6B1 44 °C (111 °F)
CASE Antec P182B (rev.2), modded:
- Original tri-cool fans removed
- Back exhaust vent, holes for water cooling, some other minor holes in back of the case blocked with transparent tape
- Extra grill holes around PSU exhaust vent blocked (originally for HDD cooling with a fan in middle of lower chamber)
- EXHAUST: Top dust cover removed. Top exhaust vent continued with a 1,2m x 12cm carton tube working as a chimney to boost natural airflow upwards
- INTAKE: both front intake vents + lower free card slots (5)
- Cooling: passive
MOTHERBOARD Abit IX38QuadGT
- Cooling: passive
CPU Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3,0GHz, underclocked and undervolted
- Clock @ 1,2-1,8 GHz (6x-9x*200MHz). Voltage at steady 0,8V
- Cooling: passiveScythe Ninja Copper (fan removed)
MEMORY OCZ DDR2 PC2-6400 SLI-Ready Edition Dual Channel
- Running at 800MHz, undervolted to 1,8V
- Cooling: passive
GPU MSI G210 512MB NVIDIA GeForce Graphics Card N210-MD512H
- Cooling: passive (stock heatsink)
PSU Seasonic S12II-430 Power Supply modded
- original ADDA fan (62 CFM) switched to SCYTHE SLIP STREAM SY1225SL12L
- Cooling: active, fan @ 4,12V (estimated 250rpm)
STORAGE1 WDC WD7500AACS-00D6B1 (750 GB) at lower chamber
- SATA IDE at lower chamber
STORAGE2 ST3750330AS (750 GB)
- SATA IDE at lower chamber
STORAGE3 old ST (250Gb)
- unblugged until needed, IDE at upper chamber
OPTICAL old LG DVD-RW
- unblugged until needed, IDE at upper chamber
- only virtual drives in use
USB (in use)
- Memory card reader 12 in 1
- Wireless keyboard + mouse, silvercrest
- Epson Stylus Photo RX425 (M)
- Microsoft LifeCam VX-6000
SCREEN 1&2
- LG L196WTQ (Digital) [19" LCD] @ 1440*900, DVI
- Sony KDL40E4500 @ 1080p, HDMI
OS Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate
END OF EDIT 1.3.2010
After almost 2 years of making it better (better equals to more silence and more performance) i'm finally happy. I don't hear it any more from where i sit. And in 2 years i have not grown too old to loose my hearing.
Here's how it was for couple of years:
Down in the basement 1 noctua 12cm is spinning at 480rpm BETWEEN a 15dB Power Supply and 2 western digital hard drives, sucking air from front and blowing it to backside (towards the power supply). When I sit next to my computer i can hear a hum, and hard drives powering on every now and then with pretty annoying noise (annoying compared to other parts) - but that's about it.
On the first floor I have two 12cm noctuas at 480rpm, both blowing air in to the case. One in the front panel is cooling another HDD. One in the back side is in 45 degree angle, blowing air straight towards a heat sinked GeForce 210. Back there the air comes in from free card slots (5) under the GPU card. Those opened slot holes are covered with a dust filter which is easy to remove and wash (DIY!).
On the top floor i have a heatsinked E8400 DualCore. One 12cm noctua is under the heat sink, blowing air upwards through the sink at 300rpm. The last 12cm noctua is at top back hole, and it's the only one which sucks air out. But it's normally running with only 120rpm, so most of the air flows out more or less free from the rooftop hole in the case. Rooftop is without a fan.
Fan speeds:
My fans are spinning slow, thanks for 2 solutions. First one is abit uGuru software which allows fan speed control based on readings from temperature sensors CPU, SYS and PWM1-5. The software controls 6 fans at max, i'm using 5. My settings are at lowest possible levels - and believe me it took time to test those settings. Another solution is noctuas resistor wires which reduce the voltage by either 30% or 50%.
- 120rpm CPU fan at top back hole: 30%-100% by uGuru, -50% by wire, leaving it only 15%-50% of the original voltage. I'm glad it spins at all at the 15%
- 300rpm SYS fan under the CPU is also reading CPU temp. by uGuru it's getting 50-100%, by wire another -50%, leaving it 25%-50% of max. I'm glad it's spinning too.
- 480rpm AUX1/2/3 fans (3) are all reduced to 50-100% by uGuru and they have a -30% wire. So they are left with 34-70% of full power. One of them is reading PWM average temp, one is reading MB temp and one is reading PWM highest temp. That was a compromise since it's spinning in the basement and should be reading HDD's, but that was not an option in uGuru software.
Performance: (hear this solution please)
During the time of my build I found out one of the most important things to achieve a quiet PC - Do not produce heat more than you really need! I solved the problem with changing my GPU to 40nm (less power consumption) version and UNDERCLOCKING and OVERCLOCKING at the same time - another nice thing that uGuru can do on the fly.
Phase 1. I underclocked my computer via BIOS to 6x200/9x200=1,2GHz/1,8GHz. I use these settings with internet browser and other light programs, but also when watching HD movies or internet TV. Computer uses 1A-9A (with some peaks up to 12A) power with these settings.
Phase 2. I overclocked my computer via abit uGuru to 9x400=3,6GHz. I set uGuru to automatically use these turbo-settings only with heavier games and get back to default underclocking when the game is over. Computer uses 6A-46A with these settings (with peaks just above 50A sometimes).
Performance is great with overclocking. Compared to Everest test database saved inside the program (vesion 5.02.1847) it's the fastest dual core in all tests.
Temperature readings:
On idle (in both default and turbo settings) readings are between 35 (sys) to 52 (pwm highest).
In default speed (underclocked) i don't get them much higher without a stress test for 25 mins. After that i have reached 58C for my CPU - and only one of the fans have changed its spinning speed at that point, reaching 640rpm. Situation stays the same for hours (tested 9h).
During a stress test on turbo speed (overclocked) my CPU reaches 60C in few minutes but stays on that level for hours. At the max load (overclocked, 100% stress test for all components) my fastest noctua seems to run at 750rpm. The highest temperature i've ever seen was 62C for my CPU. Test for running for 8h and stressing all the components 100% exept the HDD's.
Room temperature during all the tests was 21,6C. The case and all the filters were cleaned of dust before the tests.
USING THE BUILD
Why did I put so much to it. Well, I live in the middle of a forest with practically no sound in the surrounding. I love to listen to music. I like to watch good movies. I don't want to have a rig of equipment for all that - one quiet HTPC must do. And now it does. My computer is standing behind a 40" Sony Bravia, and i don't hear it at all when sitting 3m from the television. Sitting next to it I hear it - but i know if I lived in a city i wouldn't.
IT'S A POSITIVE PRESSURE BUILD
Positive air pressure suits me, because it collects less dust in the case. Or actually it gives more controlled air flow to prevent the dust coming in from where ever (there are several channels for dust in any case). In my case it's achieved with 2x480rpm inwards and only 120rpm outwards. It might have some effect on the noise level too, but i wouldn't know since i haven't heard a similar build with different fan locations. The basement in my build is without any change in pressure since noctua and PSU fan are moving about the same amount of air down there. I suppose its close to neutral.
Thanks to everybody who have written here - i got so much from this forum. It all started at June 23, 2008 with this thread: viewtopic.php?t=48392&highlight=
I put this same poll back again after my build, please answer.
Sound level
- inaudible from 0,8m when HDD's are in sleep
- audible from +6m when HDD's are spinning
Temperatures IDLE (ambient 22,5C)
MB 37 °C (98 °F)
CPU 39 °C (102 °F)
Core1 44 °C (111 °F)
Core2 40 °C (104 °F)
PWM1 54 °C (129 °F)
PWM2 55 °C (131 °F)
PWM3 55 °C (131 °F)
PWM4 53 °C (127 °F)
PWM5 52 °C (126 °F)
GPU 62 °C (144 °F)
Seagate ST3750330AS 35 °C (95 °F)
WDC WD7500AACS-00D6B1 44 °C (111 °F)
Temperatures STRESS TEST (CPU, FPU, Cache, MEM, GPU @ 100% load for long enough, no more rise visible. Ambient at 22,5)
MB 40 °C (104 °F)
CPU 46 °C (115 °F)
Core1 50 °C (122 °F)
Core2 46 °C (115 °F)
PWM1 56 °C (133 °F)
PWM2 56 °C (133 °F)
PWM3 57 °C (135 °F)
PWM4 55 °C (131 °F)
PWM5 54 °C (129 °F)
GPU 77 °C (171 °F)
Seagate ST3750330AS 41 °C (106 °F)
WDC WD7500AACS-00D6B1 44 °C (111 °F)
CASE Antec P182B (rev.2), modded:
- Original tri-cool fans removed
- Back exhaust vent, holes for water cooling, some other minor holes in back of the case blocked with transparent tape
- Extra grill holes around PSU exhaust vent blocked (originally for HDD cooling with a fan in middle of lower chamber)
- EXHAUST: Top dust cover removed. Top exhaust vent continued with a 1,2m x 12cm carton tube working as a chimney to boost natural airflow upwards
- INTAKE: both front intake vents + lower free card slots (5)
- Cooling: passive
MOTHERBOARD Abit IX38QuadGT
- Cooling: passive
CPU Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3,0GHz, underclocked and undervolted
- Clock @ 1,2-1,8 GHz (6x-9x*200MHz). Voltage at steady 0,8V
- Cooling: passiveScythe Ninja Copper (fan removed)
MEMORY OCZ DDR2 PC2-6400 SLI-Ready Edition Dual Channel
- Running at 800MHz, undervolted to 1,8V
- Cooling: passive
GPU MSI G210 512MB NVIDIA GeForce Graphics Card N210-MD512H
- Cooling: passive (stock heatsink)
PSU Seasonic S12II-430 Power Supply modded
- original ADDA fan (62 CFM) switched to SCYTHE SLIP STREAM SY1225SL12L
- Cooling: active, fan @ 4,12V (estimated 250rpm)
STORAGE1 WDC WD7500AACS-00D6B1 (750 GB) at lower chamber
- SATA IDE at lower chamber
STORAGE2 ST3750330AS (750 GB)
- SATA IDE at lower chamber
STORAGE3 old ST (250Gb)
- unblugged until needed, IDE at upper chamber
OPTICAL old LG DVD-RW
- unblugged until needed, IDE at upper chamber
- only virtual drives in use
USB (in use)
- Memory card reader 12 in 1
- Wireless keyboard + mouse, silvercrest
- Epson Stylus Photo RX425 (M)
- Microsoft LifeCam VX-6000
SCREEN 1&2
- LG L196WTQ (Digital) [19" LCD] @ 1440*900, DVI
- Sony KDL40E4500 @ 1080p, HDMI
OS Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate
END OF EDIT 1.3.2010
After almost 2 years of making it better (better equals to more silence and more performance) i'm finally happy. I don't hear it any more from where i sit. And in 2 years i have not grown too old to loose my hearing.
Here's how it was for couple of years:
Down in the basement 1 noctua 12cm is spinning at 480rpm BETWEEN a 15dB Power Supply and 2 western digital hard drives, sucking air from front and blowing it to backside (towards the power supply). When I sit next to my computer i can hear a hum, and hard drives powering on every now and then with pretty annoying noise (annoying compared to other parts) - but that's about it.
On the first floor I have two 12cm noctuas at 480rpm, both blowing air in to the case. One in the front panel is cooling another HDD. One in the back side is in 45 degree angle, blowing air straight towards a heat sinked GeForce 210. Back there the air comes in from free card slots (5) under the GPU card. Those opened slot holes are covered with a dust filter which is easy to remove and wash (DIY!).
On the top floor i have a heatsinked E8400 DualCore. One 12cm noctua is under the heat sink, blowing air upwards through the sink at 300rpm. The last 12cm noctua is at top back hole, and it's the only one which sucks air out. But it's normally running with only 120rpm, so most of the air flows out more or less free from the rooftop hole in the case. Rooftop is without a fan.
Fan speeds:
My fans are spinning slow, thanks for 2 solutions. First one is abit uGuru software which allows fan speed control based on readings from temperature sensors CPU, SYS and PWM1-5. The software controls 6 fans at max, i'm using 5. My settings are at lowest possible levels - and believe me it took time to test those settings. Another solution is noctuas resistor wires which reduce the voltage by either 30% or 50%.
- 120rpm CPU fan at top back hole: 30%-100% by uGuru, -50% by wire, leaving it only 15%-50% of the original voltage. I'm glad it spins at all at the 15%
- 300rpm SYS fan under the CPU is also reading CPU temp. by uGuru it's getting 50-100%, by wire another -50%, leaving it 25%-50% of max. I'm glad it's spinning too.
- 480rpm AUX1/2/3 fans (3) are all reduced to 50-100% by uGuru and they have a -30% wire. So they are left with 34-70% of full power. One of them is reading PWM average temp, one is reading MB temp and one is reading PWM highest temp. That was a compromise since it's spinning in the basement and should be reading HDD's, but that was not an option in uGuru software.
Performance: (hear this solution please)
During the time of my build I found out one of the most important things to achieve a quiet PC - Do not produce heat more than you really need! I solved the problem with changing my GPU to 40nm (less power consumption) version and UNDERCLOCKING and OVERCLOCKING at the same time - another nice thing that uGuru can do on the fly.
Phase 1. I underclocked my computer via BIOS to 6x200/9x200=1,2GHz/1,8GHz. I use these settings with internet browser and other light programs, but also when watching HD movies or internet TV. Computer uses 1A-9A (with some peaks up to 12A) power with these settings.
Phase 2. I overclocked my computer via abit uGuru to 9x400=3,6GHz. I set uGuru to automatically use these turbo-settings only with heavier games and get back to default underclocking when the game is over. Computer uses 6A-46A with these settings (with peaks just above 50A sometimes).
Performance is great with overclocking. Compared to Everest test database saved inside the program (vesion 5.02.1847) it's the fastest dual core in all tests.
Temperature readings:
On idle (in both default and turbo settings) readings are between 35 (sys) to 52 (pwm highest).
In default speed (underclocked) i don't get them much higher without a stress test for 25 mins. After that i have reached 58C for my CPU - and only one of the fans have changed its spinning speed at that point, reaching 640rpm. Situation stays the same for hours (tested 9h).
During a stress test on turbo speed (overclocked) my CPU reaches 60C in few minutes but stays on that level for hours. At the max load (overclocked, 100% stress test for all components) my fastest noctua seems to run at 750rpm. The highest temperature i've ever seen was 62C for my CPU. Test for running for 8h and stressing all the components 100% exept the HDD's.
Room temperature during all the tests was 21,6C. The case and all the filters were cleaned of dust before the tests.
USING THE BUILD
Why did I put so much to it. Well, I live in the middle of a forest with practically no sound in the surrounding. I love to listen to music. I like to watch good movies. I don't want to have a rig of equipment for all that - one quiet HTPC must do. And now it does. My computer is standing behind a 40" Sony Bravia, and i don't hear it at all when sitting 3m from the television. Sitting next to it I hear it - but i know if I lived in a city i wouldn't.
IT'S A POSITIVE PRESSURE BUILD
Positive air pressure suits me, because it collects less dust in the case. Or actually it gives more controlled air flow to prevent the dust coming in from where ever (there are several channels for dust in any case). In my case it's achieved with 2x480rpm inwards and only 120rpm outwards. It might have some effect on the noise level too, but i wouldn't know since i haven't heard a similar build with different fan locations. The basement in my build is without any change in pressure since noctua and PSU fan are moving about the same amount of air down there. I suppose its close to neutral.
Thanks to everybody who have written here - i got so much from this forum. It all started at June 23, 2008 with this thread: viewtopic.php?t=48392&highlight=
I put this same poll back again after my build, please answer.