Search found 64 matches

by firehorse
Tue Jan 29, 2013 3:34 pm
Forum: Quiet Prebuilt, SFF and Barebones Systems
Topic: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer
Replies: 50
Views: 39916

Re: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer

Good news in the fact I managed to have the graphics card problem sorted out. Asus support said to install everything again from a clean disk. I did uninstall the drivers and deleted the directories used, but that didn't work. In theory, taking a graphics card out and plugging it back in again shoul...
by firehorse
Tue Jan 29, 2013 3:18 pm
Forum: Quiet Prebuilt, SFF and Barebones Systems
Topic: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer
Replies: 50
Views: 39916

Re: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer

Hi, I'd thought I'd just post a few pictures. This is a pwm-dc controller for the graphics card. http://img541.imageshack.us/img541/8676/dsc03934j.jpg This the dual board with an extra wire to measure rpm of the B device, and the cpu one. http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/9708/dsc03935ko.jpg Before...
by firehorse
Sat Jan 26, 2013 7:05 am
Forum: Quiet Prebuilt, SFF and Barebones Systems
Topic: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer
Replies: 50
Views: 39916

Re: My woes of building a quiet mini-itx computer

My woes of building a quiet mini-itx computer The pwm-dc controllers arrived. The cpu and the dual board top/fan fan controllers work fine. The only limitation thing is that if you lower the starting rpm, then you also lose a few rpm at the top end. In between the Asus Bios and Speedfan, I'll sort s...
by firehorse
Wed Jan 16, 2013 7:24 am
Forum: Quiet Prebuilt, SFF and Barebones Systems
Topic: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer
Replies: 50
Views: 39916

Re: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer

More conclusions. Start with as quiet as components as you can! The hard disk is behind the front fan in front of a grill - direct sound path. So the hard disk affects the front fan noise greatly. With top and cpu Scythe AP-15 fan @ 750rpm and front Scythe AP-14 fan @ 600rpm and 1 hard disk in place...
by firehorse
Sat Jan 12, 2013 8:21 am
Forum: Quiet Prebuilt, SFF and Barebones Systems
Topic: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer
Replies: 50
Views: 39916

Re: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer

Some charts. Temperature of CPU Package by HWInfo, by top fan speed for different cpu fan speeds (Both top and cpu fans being Scythe 15) I did get cpu throttling on 2 cores on the last measurement of cpu fan @ 355 rpm and top fan @ 380 rpm Cpu is 3570K overclocked to 4.2GHz Measurements were taken o...
by firehorse
Fri Jan 11, 2013 8:07 am
Forum: Quiet Prebuilt, SFF and Barebones Systems
Topic: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer
Replies: 50
Views: 39916

Re: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer

Initial impression were the hard disk was a lot quieter, about half as loud as before ... but I didn't measure the hard disk noise :( Less vibration felt in the case. Definitely no rattling or ringing from the case. Disappointment with the front and top fan noise, no difference at all. But also, not...
by firehorse
Fri Jan 11, 2013 7:53 am
Forum: Quiet Prebuilt, SFF and Barebones Systems
Topic: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer
Replies: 50
Views: 39916

Re: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer

More pictures The fan http://imageshack.us/a/img32/9056/dsc03848h.jpg The fan holder http://imageshack.us/a/img685/233/dsc03849m.jpg Asus P8Z77-I with Noctua NH-C14 inside Lian-Li PC-Q08 http://imageshack.us/a/img203/1528/dsc03851m.jpg Asus P8Z77-I with Noctua NH-C14 inside Lian-Li PC-Q08 and Lazerw...
by firehorse
Fri Jan 11, 2013 7:45 am
Forum: Quiet Prebuilt, SFF and Barebones Systems
Topic: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer
Replies: 50
Views: 39916

Re: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer

Some pictures of the final build. The inside http://imageshack.us/a/img818/3882/dsc03843ds.jpg The other side of the inside http://imageshack.us/a/img507/5599/dsc03844q.jpg Asus P8Z77-I with Noctua NH-C14 - It can be done! http://imageshack.us/a/img19/1856/dsc03846wu.jpg The other side http://images...
by firehorse
Thu Jan 10, 2013 2:38 am
Forum: Quiet Prebuilt, SFF and Barebones Systems
Topic: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer
Replies: 50
Views: 39916

Re: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer

Strange - I've tried posting some pictures but the board won't let me 800x600, 100kb or so.
by firehorse
Mon Dec 31, 2012 6:33 am
Forum: Quiet Prebuilt, SFF and Barebones Systems
Topic: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer
Replies: 50
Views: 39916

Re: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer

I spent some time over Xmas putting in the butyl sound deadening material and then putting the acoustic foam 4mm and acoustic absorber 15mm into the case. Once I had finished putting the 2mm sound deadening material on the case, I realised there was space in the hard drive supports, cages etc. So I ...
by firehorse
Fri Dec 28, 2012 3:37 pm
Forum: Cases and Damping
Topic: Sound dampening - block it off or allow some air through?
Replies: 0
Views: 2381

Sound dampening - block it off or allow some air through?

Hi, I have a question about what to do about putting in sound insulation foam in my case. I'm doing my build here http://www.silentpcreview.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=65338 but I've come to a point where I would like some advice. It is regarding the area behind the hard disk support on the Lian...
by firehorse
Sun Dec 09, 2012 2:59 pm
Forum: Quiet Prebuilt, SFF and Barebones Systems
Topic: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer
Replies: 50
Views: 39916

Re: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer

A discovery from all my testing. The front fan cools the hard disk and graphics card but is not critical to the cpu temperature. The cpu fan and the top fan are critical to the cpu temperature with the cpu fan being more important. Because of the way my build is set up, the Noctua NH-C14 pulls half ...
by firehorse
Sun Dec 09, 2012 2:47 pm
Forum: Quiet Prebuilt, SFF and Barebones Systems
Topic: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer
Replies: 50
Views: 39916

Re: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer

It hasn't worked for me. The Scythe AP-15 mounted as top fan of Lian-Li PC-Q08 case, at 0cm. At 750rpm, it was originally 65.5dba, after three drops of sewing oil it was 69 dba, after three drops of 10-40w oil it is 71dba At 1600rpm, it was originally 73dba, after sewing oil it was 79 dba, after 10-...
by firehorse
Thu Dec 06, 2012 2:58 pm
Forum: Quiet Prebuilt, SFF and Barebones Systems
Topic: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer
Replies: 50
Views: 39916

Re: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer

Not good news :(

I applied the oil to the Scythe 13 & Scythe 15 bearings and they became noticeably noisier.

At full rpm at 0cm, they have become 4-5 dba noisier after lubricating them.
by firehorse
Wed Dec 05, 2012 3:34 am
Forum: Quiet Prebuilt, SFF and Barebones Systems
Topic: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer
Replies: 50
Views: 39916

Re: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer

I've been gathering loads of readings and I've had a chance to put them together to see what might be the best fans for my particular build. One interesting result is that under IntelBurn, the lowest "cpu package" temperature I can get is 78C. I can reach that 'low' with all the fans at full blast (...
by firehorse
Sat Dec 01, 2012 12:28 pm
Forum: Quiet Prebuilt, SFF and Barebones Systems
Topic: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer
Replies: 50
Views: 39916

Re: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer

From here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eelgZSv_Hh8 "The gentle typhoons are all the same fan just modified with resistors to spin at different speeds." Does that mean all the differences in Gentle Typhoons noise at the same rpm is due to lubricant levels between different fans rather than differe...
by firehorse
Fri Nov 30, 2012 7:45 am
Forum: Quiet Prebuilt, SFF and Barebones Systems
Topic: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer
Replies: 50
Views: 39916

Re: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer

Another update. No more spreadsheet results for the moment as I think the results are too specific to my particular configuration. But I did compare ducting with no ducting. Core temps might be 1-2C higher with ducting unless it is at min rpm for all the fans in which case it is better by about 7-9C...
by firehorse
Tue Nov 27, 2012 2:01 pm
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Lian Li PC-Q08 Mini-ITX Mini Tower Case
Replies: 53
Views: 70640

Re: Lian Li PC-Q08 Mini-ITX Mini Tower Case

Hi, Did any of you two manage to fit the seasonic x400 into the PC-Q08 and use the 4 hdd hard disk cage as well? .. and to follow-up, what orientation did you point the seasonic PSU bottom-fan? outwards towards the grill, or inwards towards the motherboard? I took the plunge and did my own Lian Li P...
by firehorse
Mon Nov 26, 2012 3:06 pm
Forum: Quiet Prebuilt, SFF and Barebones Systems
Topic: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer
Replies: 50
Views: 39916

Re: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer

Some more results Program Idle Idle Intelburn Intelburn Intelburn Intelburn Intelburn Fans All idle All max All max cpu max top max front max All min Top fan Lian Li Lian Li Lian Li Lian Li Lian Li Lian Li Lian Li rpm 560 1140 1140 560 1140 560 560 dba 72.5 72.5 64.5 60.5 60.5 Front fan Noctua Noctu...
by firehorse
Mon Nov 26, 2012 9:16 am
Forum: Quiet Prebuilt, SFF and Barebones Systems
Topic: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer
Replies: 50
Views: 39916

Re: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer

OK - I've found this thread where someone is making pwm to analogue controllers. I don't have space on the Lian Li PC-Q08 for a fancy fan controller but this should work just as well. http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18421145 So 3V fans are back on the list. I've added some more val...
by firehorse
Sat Nov 24, 2012 2:56 pm
Forum: Quiet Prebuilt, SFF and Barebones Systems
Topic: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer
Replies: 50
Views: 39916

Re: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer

I'm looking at the cooltechniques fan results against the results I'm getting when the fans are in a pc and try to understand why? I've typed in the raw numbers into a spreadsheet to get my own comparatives. Because the spreadsheet is for my own purposes, I've had to cut off the fans' results at 5V ...
by firehorse
Sat Nov 24, 2012 2:30 pm
Forum: Quiet Prebuilt, SFF and Barebones Systems
Topic: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer
Replies: 50
Views: 39916

Re: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer

The Scythe PWM A has arrived and I've done some testing with the fan at the highest setting and the lowest setting. In order to stop the motherboard wanting to speed up the fan when the cpu gets hot, I've used the Zalman fanmate to vary the voltage. Amb.dba 54 Program Idle Idle Intelburn Intelburn I...
by firehorse
Thu Nov 22, 2012 3:07 pm
Forum: Quiet Prebuilt, SFF and Barebones Systems
Topic: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer
Replies: 50
Views: 39916

Re: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer

In the meantime I found this site
http://www.coolingtechnique.com/recensi ... eobus.html

Loads of reviews on fans, and most of them I'm interested in.
by firehorse
Tue Nov 20, 2012 3:45 pm
Forum: Quiet Prebuilt, SFF and Barebones Systems
Topic: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer
Replies: 50
Views: 39916

Re: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer

Keeping a long story short, after takings load of temperature and noise readings, the Scythe 15 has definitely developed bearing noise and is unusable in this instance. I've done some more research looking for quiet fans That led me to here http://www.hardware.fr/articles/874-35/recapitulatif-db-a-v...
by firehorse
Fri Nov 16, 2012 3:07 pm
Forum: Quiet Prebuilt, SFF and Barebones Systems
Topic: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer
Replies: 50
Views: 39916

Hot hot hot

For my own benefit, a summary of the previous results: At minimum rpm, for the top fan, the scythe is cooler and quieter than the stock Lian Li. At minimum rpm, for the front fan, the scythe is quieter than the Noctua and the temperatures are similar. Program Idle Idle Intelburn Intelburn Intelburn ...
by firehorse
Tue Nov 13, 2012 2:13 pm
Forum: Quiet Prebuilt, SFF and Barebones Systems
Topic: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer
Replies: 50
Views: 39916

Re: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer

Once I added a GPU into the mix - Radeon 4850 - things got uncomfortably warm and seeing as your CPU temps are already pretty high, you might want to check this sooner than later. During the warmer summer months, the PSU got to hot to the touch and I did not feel comfortable with this setup any lon...
by firehorse
Tue Nov 13, 2012 8:09 am
Forum: Quiet Prebuilt, SFF and Barebones Systems
Topic: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer
Replies: 50
Views: 39916

Re: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer

Hi, Did you install the 7950? If so, did you do a gaming benchmark? (heat-related, not FPS) I had a setup similar to yours a couple of years ago, just with a mATX case. Had a Scythe Top Down cooler that was ventilated by the PSU fan. Once I added a GPU into the mix - Radeon 4850 - things got uncomfo...
by firehorse
Mon Nov 12, 2012 3:40 pm
Forum: Quiet Prebuilt, SFF and Barebones Systems
Topic: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer
Replies: 50
Views: 39916

Re: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer

It was taking a long time to gather the results using Prime95 and I needed a quicker way. I found out about IntelBurn and decided to use that instead. I used a setting of 'very high' which uses 4GB of ram and 10 runs. I also changed the monitoring software to HWInfo64. The room I'm testing the Lian ...
by firehorse
Sun Nov 11, 2012 4:49 pm
Forum: Quiet Prebuilt, SFF and Barebones Systems
Topic: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer
Replies: 50
Views: 39916

Some results

I used Prime 95 for between 6-12 hours and HwMonitor to monitor the temperatures. I used an ipad with DB Meter Pro to measure the dbA. If I hold the ipad 1 meter away from the pc it wouldn't measure anything so the noise measurements are made with the ipad directly against the fans. The side measure...
by firehorse
Sun Nov 11, 2012 4:16 pm
Forum: Quiet Prebuilt, SFF and Barebones Systems
Topic: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer
Replies: 50
Views: 39916

Re: My blog of building a quiet mini-itx computer

Some observations. I'm very impressed by the temperatures that I block off the back of the computer and the PSU opening. The PSU was blocking most of its opening and it didn't seem to be doing much. Temperatures still look ok. The thermalright is pwm controlled so I set the rpm to 800rpm to match th...