Hi, I have recently started using my old desktop PC as my main computer since my laptop is very slow. I have a e8400 with stock hsf and a nvidia 9800 gt 512mb. The noise coming from these 2 components is really annoying. I have tried changing fan profiles in the bios and it doesn't make much difference. I think it is a combination of both parts which makes it quite annoying. I REALLY don't want to spend much because I am waiting for V.R to mature before I upgrade to a new rig. I don't like the idea of spending money on old tech, but I am wondering what some of the most cost effective methods of quieting this beast would be. I thought of getting a evo 212 fan, so that I could move it into my new build but it wont fit into my micro atx mb. Any suggestion would be appreciated.
Advice on Quieting Old Desktop PC
Comments
Seconding the idea of opening up the case and getting some of the dust out of the fans. However, I suggest going to an office supply or hardware store and purchasing a can of compressed air for the job. Also, are you sure that it isn't a case fan or the PSU fan that is the main culprit?
You can use a rolled up newspaper roll or a paper cardboard tube out of kitchen towels to pinpoint the source of the noise.
Or just unplug the fans and switch the computer on for a minute (just be careful not to toast your CPU or GPU). Should be easy to work out what is the culprit.
Speaking from experience, what you're trying to is easier said than done unfortunately.
Here are some options in order of cost:
- Try cleaning the fans and heat-sinks with compressed air.
- Slow the fans down using the BIOS/software.
- Slow the fans down by installing a hardware fan controller.
- Replace the fans with quieter, or where possible larger, models.
- Replace the heat-sinks with larger models.
Basically if you have a hot device, with a small heat-sink, and a small fan, that fan has to run fast (i.e. noisy) in order to provide appropriate cooling.
Giving everything a clean is a good idea and cant hurt. Slowing down the fans means increasing temperatures, so there's a limit to what you'll be able to achieve here. Replacing the fans can help if the current fans are cheap and nasty, but if not you wont notice much of a difference. Using shrouds to mount larger fans in place of smaller ones can have a more significant effect (a larger fan requires less speed to move the same amount of air). Replacing the heat-sinks and fans is definitely the most effective option, but it's also the most expensive. Even looking at second-hand parts you'd still be looking at $100 or more.
Hope that helps!
Leave the case open and ventilated.
Hehe you're spoiling the fun.
That CPU is 9 years old. Its ancient. The slowest Intel Celeron today for $50 is the same speed with half the power requirements. VR is a fad. Scrap it and buy a NUC if you want something small and quiet.
As for VR being a gimmick, i think it's just maturing slowly. Very slowly. The hardware is already there, but the content isn't. There aren't enough VR games around to justify splashing out $2000 dollars for a VR kit and a VR-ready PC.
Replace every fan in the system, I bought some from these guys: https://www.quietpc.com/casefans
Also check eBay and local sellers of course.You should be able to get replacement fans for the CPU, power supply, graphics card etc, but you may need to know how to use a soldering iron to fit some.
Hi everyone one. Thanks for the recommendations. I ended up disconnecting a case fan which made a fairly big difference. I also unscrewed the mechanical hard drive and put it on a piece of rubber on the bottom of the case which made a HUGE difference to the sound coming from it. I tried after burner but I found that the video card fan was already on quiet in the bios. as for V.R… I saw a funny video on it recently https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQ0JTkBZdyw
Have you tried to vacuum the dust out of it? A lot of the time dust will get between the fan and actual heatsink creating a thermal barrier, the heatsink heats up more and the fan spin up faster to try and compensate. But can't get the airflow through because of the dust.