Been away for a while -- what are my silencing options?

crispyfish · Post by **crispyfish** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 3:39 pm

Here's a brief summary of my current HTPC build:

- Antec NSK2400 w/stock 120mm fans on low
- MSI K8NGM2-FID
- Athlon X2 4600+ (90nm)
- Zalman CNPS7700 @ 5V
- 4 x 512MB RAM
- 2 x 400GB Spinpoints (RAID1 storage)
- 1 x 80GB Spinpoint (system drive)
- Soundblaster XiFi Gamer

Amazingly, my girlfriend says the sound doesn't bother her. But it does bother me -- I can hear it from the couch and I'd rather not.

So... what are my options? Can the Mini Ninja handle this CPU? Would quieter case fans help? Are there any options for swapping out the PSU?

Any and all suggestions welcome, within reason!

VanWaGuy · Post by **VanWaGuy** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 4:45 pm

Hi,

Unless I can not read, you did not mention what power supply you are using.

Can you isolate the noise that is most annoying to case fan, power supply, CPU fan, graphics card or the drives?

thanks

crispyfish · Post by **crispyfish** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 4:54 pm

The power supply is the stock Antec 380W PSU that comes with the NSK2400. The stock fans are Antec Tri-Cools. I am using the onboard GeForce 6150, and the motherboard is completely passive. The case fans and HSF seem to contribute about equally to the noise coming from the case. Stopping all 3 with my fingers at the same time makes a noticeable difference. The system drive is also a bit annoying when it's active, because it's mounted below the DVD drive using metal adapters. Some form of suspension would solve that problem.

crispyfish · Post by **crispyfish** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 10:40 am

No suggestions?

tehfire · Post by **tehfire** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 11:12 am

Finally, finally finally, Scythe has created a version of their vaunted Ninja that can fit inside your case: The Mini Ninja (or Minja). It's probably possible to run the Minja pseudo-passive in your case if you keep the tricools on that side exhaust. SPCR's using the Minja in your case. With a CPU of your power you should be able to pull it off. What speed is your 7700 running at? Replacing it with the Minja could probably do a lot to tame that system. If that's not quiet enough, then I'd go on to replacing your case fans, but I would start with the CPU HSF.

crispyfish · Post by **crispyfish** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 1:24 pm

Yeah, I'm aware of the Mini Ninja (see my original post) but I'm not sure it can handle the 90W 4600+. The results in this thread with a 65W 4800+ would suggest otherwise. Any other HSFs I should consider that fit in the NSK2400?

Koni · Post by **Koni** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 2:59 pm

Could you specify what silencing methods you're using for your HDDs. Since you didn't specify what HDDs you're using, I'm going to assume it's 2x 400GB 7200 3.5'' drives and a 1x 80GB 5400 2,5'' drive (although the system drive could very well be a 3,5'' too). This could theoretically be your biggest cause of noise, with either the whining or the vibrations.

Are you already using HDD dampeners like SilentDrive and are they suspended as explained in this thread?

Since you didn't specify how you're using your HTPC exactly, you might want to look into buying a 2,5'' 5400 system drive (like the Samsung Samsung HM080GI), encase it into a SilentDrive and finally suspend the SilentDrive into a 5,35'' drive bay. Then I would suggest suspending your RAID1 storage or even attach them externally in separate HDD cases via eSATA or USB).

crispyfish · Post by **crispyfish** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 3:50 pm

They are all 3.5" Spinpoints. The storage drives are mounted in the provided bays with silicon grommets, which seems quiet enough. As I mentioned, the system drive is mounted below the DVD drive using metal adapters. I'd like to get a NoVibes (or something similar) eventually. But the seek noise doesn't bother me as much as the constant "whooshing" noise, which I attribute to the HSF, PSU, and case fans.

jaganath · Post by **jaganath** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 3:54 pm

I'm aware of the Mini Ninja...I'm not sure it can handle the 90W 4600+. The results in this thread with a 65W 4800+ would suggest otherwise.

i'd bet muchos dinero the Minja can handle your 4600 when undervolted w/RMClock/CCPUID.

tehfire · Post by **tehfire** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 5:11 pm

crispyfish wrote:Yeah, I'm aware of the Mini Ninja (see my original post) but I'm not sure it can handle the 90W 4600+. The results in this thread with a 65W 4800+ would suggest otherwise. Any other HSFs I should consider that fit in the NSK2400?

As MikeC said in his post, he doubted that the Minja could run a 45W CPU fully passively, meaning no fan on the Minja, and no nearby case fans. What I suggested was running it pseudo-passively - basically no fan on the HS itself, but the case fan that you already have running near it. This should be able to run the Minja passively. I included a link in my last post of SPCR testing this identical configuration with an Intel processor that makes about the same or more heat than your processor, and it cooled it more than adequately.

...and if not, a fan on the Minja would be much quieter than the fan on the 7700. I had a 7700 a while back, and that fan was abysmal, even by Zalman's standards.

crispyfish · Post by **crispyfish** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 7:22 pm

tehfire, I really don't want to get into a huge debate, but the thread I linked shows results with a CPU that is more similar to the one I'm using, but with lower wattage. If temps get up to 56C with an undervolted 65W CPU, how high will they get with a 90W CPU? I'm not saying it's not possible, but I have concerns.