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One must not forget that all that foam will increase temperatures in the case as well as make it a pain to get back in the machine to replace\troubleshoot hardware issues. He should have gone with http://www.dynamat.com/ . Its much much thinner and won't retain the heat.

I've got a case in my living room that I use to access my mp3 server.

I've replaced all the fans with Silencer fans (can't remember where I purchased them, but they were about 10 bucks a pop). I replaced the power supply fan with a silencer fan, added a second case fan, and changed the processor fan to a silencer fan - all rated at 26 dB, IIRC. I then added Dynamat to the inside of the case using their system. The machine is much quieter now. You can't hear the fans over the gentle gurgle of the fish tank nearby.

For my mp3 server, I picked up 5 120 GB WD 5400 HDs from Frys ($99 a pop a few weeks ago) as well as the 3 fan bay coolers for each drive ($15 bucks a pop). I ran the system without the fans briefly, and the top drive was extremely hot. Using the Antec bay coolers, they are all much cooler to the touch. The machine makes a noticible hum, but it sits tucked away in a cool closet, so noise isn't much of an issue there. I was, however, surprised at how quiet the machine was even with all the bay fans (15 bay fans alone, then a power supply and two processor fans (dual proc system)). Laminar flow reduces noise...

I've been running a reliable water cooled setup (including many moves, dropping upside down, upgrades, etc) for over 6 months now. It works great. I have install details written up for anyone who's interested. The noise went from deafening to a mild hum.

I'm currently gathering pieces for a passive watercooled setup (no fans) that handles cooling the video, system chip and processor. The power supply fan will be removed and replaced with a low-voltage 120mm top-mounted fan that runs silently with good airflow (for HD cooling as well).

Rather than mount the radiator inside the case, the radiator will be top mounted with a custom lexan mount. This moves the heat outside the system (closed box). In addition, the inside will be sound deadened with leftover Dynamat Extreme from my car stereo install. This should result in a cool looking, silent machine, with no compromises. It isn't going to be cheap though.

I would love to have one of these, as I am a very light sleeper.

That being said, the technology is the same thing as noise cancelling head phones (such as these, these, or these). These headphones simply rock if you have not tried them.

alternatively, you can use more traditional methods to quiet things down, like insulation. Putting some dynamat in your car will really dampen the noise and make it nice.


One thing I have always wanted to try for fun, is get a really sophisticated sound cancellation system with many microphones and many large speakers to broadcast the "anti"sound, and put it in a large area like a park or the mall.

then, don't tell anyone about it and watch the puzzled look on people's faces when they can't hear each other.

maybe it's not possible, but I sure do think it would be funny.

Go grab some DynaMat. Check out their site, I was surprised to see they actually have a "computers" section.

Dynamat even has a computer kit sold from their website. Seems like you aren't the first to figure this out. Perhaps this should be pursued by those who want quiet machines.

Don't know if this has been mentioned before or not, but I've found Dynamat products to be excellent at sound absorption, particularly their Extremeliner.

Don't know if this has been mentioned before or not, but I've found Dynamat products to be excellent at sound absorption, particularly their Extremeliner.