Hard drive loudest part of computer?

Got a shopping cart of parts that you want opinions on? Get advice from members on your planned or existing system (or upgrade).

Moderators: NeilBlanchard, Ralf Hutter, sthayashi, Lawrence Lee

Post Reply
hero123
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Jun 30, 2009 10:39 pm
Location: Vancity

Hard drive loudest part of computer?

Post by hero123 » Tue Jun 30, 2009 10:43 pm

I'm currently using a antec p150 case with stock neo he430 PS.

i have a 120mm nexus sleeve fan running at min rpm and a xigmatech hdt s1283 on the psu at min rpm as well.

however, i have 4 hdd in this case:
1 74gb WD raptor
1 320gb WD caviar
1 250gb seagate
1 1TB seagate


i'm having a hard time finding out if the noise is coming from the 4 hdd or the PSU. using my ears, i'm thinking it's the 4 hdds and the fact that i have hard wood floor which reflects noise

what to ppl think? i'm new at this and are hdd that loud?

my options are to move 2-3 of the hdd to external drive (a mediasonic 4hdd esata active cooled enclosure) or to get a better, quieter psu.

LodeHacker
Posts: 628
Joined: Sat Dec 13, 2008 1:25 pm
Location: Finland

Post by LodeHacker » Wed Jul 01, 2009 1:16 am

Hello and Welcome to SPCR!

Western Digital Caviar and Seagate HDDs are generally quiet, not loud. Your actual problem is most likely the Western Digital Raptor. It can't be described as loud, it's ear raping (yes I had one too) :mrgreen:

jhhoffma
Posts: 2131
Joined: Mon Apr 25, 2005 10:00 am
Location: Grand Rapids, MI

Post by jhhoffma » Wed Jul 01, 2009 5:49 am

LodeHacker is probably right, but to find out for sure, just unplug all the drives except one. If you hear the noise, that's your culprit. If not, move on to the next one.

Can you describe the noise? If it's a high-pitched whir, then it's likely a hard drive. Low pitched buzzing is usually fans and/or case vibrations. High pitched buzzing can be from bad inductor coils.

hero123
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Jun 30, 2009 10:39 pm
Location: Vancity

Post by hero123 » Wed Jul 01, 2009 8:27 am

i've found out that the majority of the noise is from the vid card fan.
i have an old evga 7600gt

if i put my finger on the fan to stop it, most of the noise is gone

argh...new video card i guess? passively cooled? or maybe i can control the fan

hero123
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Jun 30, 2009 10:39 pm
Location: Vancity

Post by hero123 » Wed Jul 01, 2009 8:35 am

i've taking a look around and i might get a heatsink instead? any thoughts?

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php? ... ure=Arctic Cooling&promoid=1078

hero123
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Jun 30, 2009 10:39 pm
Location: Vancity

Post by hero123 » Wed Jul 01, 2009 9:20 am

hero123 wrote:i've taking a look around and i might get a heatsink instead? any thoughts?

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php? ... ure=Arctic Cooling&promoid=1078
or maybe i should just get this passively cooled video card

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.as ... _-14141077

LodeHacker
Posts: 628
Joined: Sat Dec 13, 2008 1:25 pm
Location: Finland

Post by LodeHacker » Wed Jul 01, 2009 9:44 am

Hi,

You can go all passive if you like, but your case must have excellent air circulation and great airflow to provide adequate cooling for the graphics card.

Also, please use the Image button in the future to make additions to your post and keep the thread structure clean. Thank you.

Post Reply