Help me quiet down my new Antec P180 rig

[weemies]

This is my first post here, but I've been lurking for a while. This site has been very helpful to me.

I just upgraded my case to Antec P180 from an older Antec model (SX1030B). The new rig is actually louder than the old one, and while this is somewhat disappointing, I was in a way anticipating it. The old case was damped all over, and had no case fans, both probably being big factors in this.

Here's my current rig:
Case: Antec P180
PSU: Nexus NX-3500
Mobo: ASUS A8N-SLI Deluxe w/ Zalman ZM-NB47J passive northbridge heatsink
CPU: AMD Athlon64 3000+ Winchester w/ Zalman CNPS7700-AlCu
VGA: XFX 7800 GT "Extreme Gamer" w/ Zalman VF700-Cu
RAM: 2 x no-name 512MB
HDDs: 1 x Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 300GB SATA, 1 x older Seagate, 1 x older Maxtor - both IDE

Like I said, the rig is a bit louder than my previous one, but the cooling is already massively better. My 3DMark05 score went from ~5200 to ~6900. I'm using only one of the 3 TriCool case fans, the one in the back of the case. The other 2 I removed, as well as the VGA-duct (or whatever) and the HDD compartment in the upper part of the case. My HDDs are obviously located in the lower compartment - and are wonderfully less noisy than before by the way. All the fans are running at lowest possible speeds. For the moment, I'm blocking the fan-opening in the roof with a book. My cables are managed adequately, I think, so airflow is probably at least ok. I'll see if I manage to snap a few pics later.

Now, I definitely want the rig to be A LOT quieter, even at the expense of performance. I'm one of those true silencers, who will not be satisfied until the computer cannot be heard. Here's what I'm thinking of replacing:

PSU: A fanless PSU, possibly Antec Phantom 350. Would this require me to utilize a 120mm fan in the bottom part of the case (between the HDDs and the PSU)? I was almost set to buy a Seasonic, either S12-430 or 500, but I don't think the cables are long enough for my setup.

CPU heatsink: Scythe SCNJ-1000 Ninja, passively if in any way possible. I assume this can be done with this case. Can you give me some pointers in how to achieve this? Should I utilize a 120mm fan in the front of the case (upper position of the two)?

Better case fan(s): I have no idea what would be the best, can you give me your opinions what might be the quietest 120mm case fan (yet still being somewhat effective )? I guess I should soft mount them in some way as well, what would be an easy yet effective way? I'm not the greatest DIY'er.

That's what I can think of for now. Any ideas are more than welcome.

[computergeek22]

Cable length isn't a problem for the seasonics. You'll be spending ~140 bucks for the phantom when the seasonic is around ~140 w/cable extenders. Okay the 350 is fanless but I prefer the seasonic.

[computergeek22]

Better case fan(s): I have no idea what would be the best, can you give me your opinions what might be the quietest 120mm case fan (yet still being somewhat effective )? I guess I should soft mount them in some way as well, what would be an easy yet effective way? I'm not the greatest DIY'er.

That's what I can think of for now. Any ideas are more than welcome.

The best quietness/airflow ratio fans are the nexus 120mm.

[spiffy102]

Ok along the lines of using a Phantom... I was thinking something the OP was thinking...

Buying a Phantom 500 for my P180, and using a Nexus in the lower chamber... I'm willing to spend an extra $20-$40 for the extra silence... B/c with 3-5 HD's total, well every other db can help. Is this such a crazy idea?

Otherwise - I guess I will buy a S12-500... Just need to find the extension cable somewhere probably.

[Sizzle]

The best quietness/airflow ratio fans are the nexus 120mm.

Incorrect. Best quietness/airflow ratio would be the Papst 4412FGL. Best quietness/airflow/availability ratio would be the Nexus.

[Tumlehund]

Best quietness/airflow ratio would be the Papst 4412FGL. Best quietness/airflow/availability ratio would be the Nexus.

There seems to be more than one Papst fan model, and I don't seem to be able to find the Papst 4412FGL. However, I can find:
- Papst 4412F/2GL - 1600RPM, 26dBA
- Papst 4412F/2GLL - 1200RPM, 18dBA

So, the question is wich one to get for the P180? And how do you control the speed? Do you use Q-Fan? Speedfan? Zalman Fanmate2?

[Kubiekdriehoekje]

About avalability, maybe these guys are willing to take foreign customers:
- Informatique

[sun.moon]

There seems to be more than one Papst fan model, and I don't seem to be able to find the Papst 4412FGL. However, I can find:
- Papst 4412F/2GL - 1600RPM, 26dBA
- Papst 4412F/2GLL - 1200RPM, 18dBA

If your looking for a Papst fan, go for the 4412F/2GLL. It has just a bit more airflow than the Nexus and at low voltages it is very quite indeed. In Germany it is available all over the place online. Take a look at geizhals and search for 4412F/2GLL. You'll find lot's of shops that'll ship to Denmark.

[Aris]

There seems to be more than one Papst fan model, and I don't seem to be able to find the Papst 4412FGL.

Papst 4412FGL

[Tumlehund]

Papst 4412FGL

I think the fan in your link is Papst 4412F/2GL? At least it's got the same specifications: 1600RPM, 26dBA.

[Aleksi]

The "/2" indicates tacho signal (RPM). Other than that, they are the same fan.

Offtopic: I wonder how old Papsts Directron has, the label is the older one. The new label has a blue stripe. Does someone remember when they switched labels?

[Aris]

Papst 4412FGL

I think the fan in your link is Papst 4412F/2GL? At least it's got the same specifications: 1600RPM, 26dBA.

no, its definatly a 4412FGL. i have 3 of them. also if you check papst's website, it says that the 4412FGL has an RPM of 1600.

as far as thelabel goes. they may just have not updated the picture with the new label. i know if it were me, i wouldnt think anything of it if the label changed. even if i did, i doubt id retake pics just cause of such a minor change.

[Sizzle]

Papst 4412FGL

I think the fan in your link is Papst 4412F/2GL? At least it's got the same specifications: 1600RPM, 26dBA.

no, its definatly a 4412FGL. i have 3 of them. also if you check papst's website, it says that the 4412FGL has an RPM of 1600.

as far as thelabel goes. they may just have not updated the picture with the new label. i know if it were me, i wouldnt think anything of it if the label changed. even if i did, i doubt id retake pics just cause of such a minor change.

The old "white label" Papst are not as good as the new silver/blue label ones. They have been known to click upon undervolting.

[Aris]

The old "white label" Papst are not as good as the new silver/blue label ones. They have been known to click upon undervolting.

i'll check my papst fans when i get home today after work and let you know which ones i have. i bought them over 2 years ago, so if their the new label ones, then they definatly arnt still selling the old ones anymore.

[sun.moon]

...then they definatly arnt still selling the old ones anymore.

At least Papst is not. But you have to be careful, a lot of retailers and online shops still sell their old stock of the old fans. And Sizzle is right, they do have a tendancy to click at low voltages. I heard a one to one comparison at my neighbor's house. It was quite a remarkable difference...

[scorp]

I have 2 "white / blue" 4412F/2GLs and one white 4412F/2GL. The "white" one does seem a little noisier, but I didn't heard any clicking from it.

[bajker]

PSU: A fanless PSU, possibly Antec Phantom 350. Would this require me to utilize a 120mm fan in the bottom part of the case (between the HDDs and the PSU)?

You will definitely need some airflow in the lower chamber. I prefer fan over PSU fan, because it's possible to control it.
You can take a look at my P180 with passive PSU here . It's in Slovenian language, but pictures are not .