The Implications of Noise with Raid

Seal · Post by **Seal** » Sun Oct 26, 2003 3:32 am

Simply put, accoustically, how would a 2HD raid array affect the accoustics of my computer. Someone told me that if there are 2 sound sources making exactly the same frequency sound next to each other, the effective sound output would be a lot more.

Seal

bkh · Post by **bkh** » Sun Oct 26, 2003 10:01 am

I have a 4-disk RAID setup with all 4 in SmartDrive2000s.
The disks are quiet enough for me this way, and the SmartDrives
are always cool to the touch in my well-ventilated case (6 very
slow fans.)

CoolGav · Post by **CoolGav** » Mon Oct 27, 2003 8:25 am

The deal with 2 drives emitting the same frequency noise is that at certain points you get both waves adding together to give twice as loud (in theory), as well as points where the phases mean they cancel each other out. You'll have more hard drive noise compared to a single drive because there is more than a single hard drive!

DeadBySundown · Post by **DeadBySundown** » Mon Oct 27, 2003 10:09 am

The extra drive will be a little louder. However, the increased noise is certain to be less than that of the average Scream of Anguish(TM) when a non-RAID drive's critical need sensor triggers and drags the head through that oh-so-important document you absolutely must have in the next 20 minutes.

Seal · Post by **Seal** » Mon Oct 27, 2003 12:49 pm

Interesting points.

Yes i ha ve thought about the silentdrive route but i realise very quickly it isnt possible as im quite poor and they cost alot! not to mention i'd need 2 of them!!!

Seal · Post by **Seal** » Wed Oct 29, 2003 8:50 am

Wooo just found this from the new article:

Sounds are additive, but not in a simple linear way.

* Two 30 dB noise sources make 33 dB
* Four 30 dB noise sources make 36 dB
* Eight 30 dB noise sources make 39 dB
* Sixteen 30 dB noise sources make 42 dB

Each doubling of identical noise sources results in a 3 dB increase in noise.