Advice on making my system quieter
Posted: Sat May 26, 2018 10:34 am
Recently, I did a new build with a Define R6. The noise levels are greatly improved compared to my last build, but I am wondering if there is anything that I can do to further reduce the noise.
Here are the relevant parts of my system:
Case: Fractal Designs Define R6 Tempered Glass(stock fans, closed top)
CPU cooler: Scythe Mugen 5
CPU: i7-8700k
Motherboard: ASRock Z370 Pro4
GPU: MSI Radeon R9 390X GAMING 8GB
PSU: Cooler Master Silent Pro M700
Case fans and CPU fan are connected through the included fan hub. I have not yet tweaked the fan curves yet, because I am getting odd RPM readings from the fan hub. When I have the CPU fan connected directly to the motherboard, it reports around 600RPM on idle and ramps up smoothly to 1200RPM on load. When connected through the fan hub, it reports around 350RPM on idle and stays that way on load. Upon testing, I find that the RPM doesn't change between 10% to 80% power, and only ramps up to 470RPM at 90% and 860RPM ar 100% power. I don't know if this is just a reporting error, so I am waiting for a replacement fan hub from Fractal before tackling this.
Currently, in a quiet room, I hear a slight hiss noise (similar in tone to a sigh) both during idle and on load, with little discernible difference between the two, unless I open the front panel and put my ear right next to the front fans. The PSU fan has a louder low frequency tone (as noted in the SPCR review of this PSU back in 2009), but I don't think I can hear this at a few feet away. The GPU fans do not spin below 55 degrees C, and are not really audible below 1200RPM.
Overall, I am pretty satisfied with the noise performance, but after adjusting the this new normal, I am wondering if there is anything more that I can do. While my system is quiet, it is not completely silent. I read that the stock Dynamic X2 GP-14 fans are very good, but also that certain Noctua and Phantek fans are completely silent at low RPMs. Is some audible noise unavoidable, or will it be possible to significantly reduce noise compared to what I have currently?
Here are the relevant parts of my system:
Case: Fractal Designs Define R6 Tempered Glass(stock fans, closed top)
CPU cooler: Scythe Mugen 5
CPU: i7-8700k
Motherboard: ASRock Z370 Pro4
GPU: MSI Radeon R9 390X GAMING 8GB
PSU: Cooler Master Silent Pro M700
Case fans and CPU fan are connected through the included fan hub. I have not yet tweaked the fan curves yet, because I am getting odd RPM readings from the fan hub. When I have the CPU fan connected directly to the motherboard, it reports around 600RPM on idle and ramps up smoothly to 1200RPM on load. When connected through the fan hub, it reports around 350RPM on idle and stays that way on load. Upon testing, I find that the RPM doesn't change between 10% to 80% power, and only ramps up to 470RPM at 90% and 860RPM ar 100% power. I don't know if this is just a reporting error, so I am waiting for a replacement fan hub from Fractal before tackling this.
Currently, in a quiet room, I hear a slight hiss noise (similar in tone to a sigh) both during idle and on load, with little discernible difference between the two, unless I open the front panel and put my ear right next to the front fans. The PSU fan has a louder low frequency tone (as noted in the SPCR review of this PSU back in 2009), but I don't think I can hear this at a few feet away. The GPU fans do not spin below 55 degrees C, and are not really audible below 1200RPM.
Overall, I am pretty satisfied with the noise performance, but after adjusting the this new normal, I am wondering if there is anything more that I can do. While my system is quiet, it is not completely silent. I read that the stock Dynamic X2 GP-14 fans are very good, but also that certain Noctua and Phantek fans are completely silent at low RPMs. Is some audible noise unavoidable, or will it be possible to significantly reduce noise compared to what I have currently?