Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

5 Simple Steps to a Quieter PC

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the do-you-hear-what-i-hear dept.

~*77*~ writes "Silencing a computer can be a costly endeavor, but taking a few relatively inexpensive steps can have a drastic impact on the noise produced by the common computer system. Before starting on any sound reduction upgrades, analyzing a system to pinpoint the areas in need of the most attention will help determine the best course of action and the best way to spend any money."

6 of 430 comments (clear)

  1. One Itty Bitty Article by CactusInvasion · · Score: 5, Informative

    You'd think he'd reference the guys who are diehard fanatics instead of the some guy who has 5 ideas. This is the place to find all the info, comparisons, and information for people who want more than just "you should think about changing out some parts in your system".

  2. Silent PC Sites by mparaz · · Score: 5, Informative

    The article is just a simple summary... check out Silent PC Review for really in-depth coverage.

    Some hardware review sites are dedicated to cooling equipment. One of them is Pimp My Rig.

    Personally, I replaced my Intel stock fan with the Thermalright XP-90 + Panaflo 92mm L1A.

  3. My steps towards a quieter system by zeth · · Score: 5, Informative

    I am fed up with the noise from my comuter, so I did the following.

    1. Installed the BeQuiet sound elimination kit for Chieftec
    2. Got a better CPU fan
    3. Installed four Zalman 12dB(A) fans in the chassi.
    4. Enjoy the sound of nothing.

  4. Re:Cool, but... by Antique+Geekmeister · · Score: 5, Informative

    Ouch. That's probably the 60-cycle noice of the first transformer, and it's a bear to deal with after the hardware was designed.

    Try plugging something in constant use into it that draws a little bit of current, like your nearby clock or lava lamp.

  5. Re:Step 1: Buy a Mac by grahamlee · · Score: 5, Informative

    I have to disagree here - I've got a pair of dual G5 towers, a 20" G5 iMac, a 17" G5 iMac and a dual G5 XServe - only the XServe makes a noticable hum. Now, the Sun E450 - THAT is loud :-)

  6. Re:Step 1: Buy a Mac by jdwest · · Score: 5, Informative

    My 2x2.0 G5 tower is next to silent (except with the 10.3.8 update and I had to switch proc performance from "automatic" to "highest" to keep them from become overly excited executing even the simplest of tasks).

    I finally received my XServe (2x2.3) and set it up Friday. It is dead quiet. So quiet, in fact, that I had to temporarily shut down the Dell PowerEdge 4600 just to hear it. Still not satisfied, I slid off the top panel for visible proof the fans were running. I spotted only three fans, but the software reports 8 up and running within normal ranges.

    For now, I'll trust the blowers tab on Apple's Server Monitor software.

    --

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet ...