What you need to know in order to have a silent computer

For the performance computer enthusiast, having a powerful machine usually means having equally powerful cooling to offset the amount of heat high-end hardware puts out. This means having a good case with a few fans for airflow, a good CPU heatsink assembly, and sometimes a third-party GPU cooler if you're overclocking. The downside to all this? Noise. For some people noise isn't a factor, mainly because they've lived with it for so long that they're used to it. But there are those who decide to make the transition from a noisy high-performance machine to one that is whisper-silent. This guide will serve to give you insight into the quiet-computing aspect of the PC industry.
In order to understand the noise your case makes, we have to understand the tradeoff between noise and cooling efficiency. Typically, the more efficient your cooling, the louder your system will be. Noise is measured in decibels;

* 10 decibels: Normal breathing
* 20 decibels: A mosquito or rustling leaves
* 30 decibels: A whisper
* 40 decibels: A bubbling brook or refrigerator
* 50 decibels: Normal conversation
* 60 decibels: Laughter
* 70 decibels: A vacuum cleaner or hair dryer
* 80 decibels: City traffic or a garbage disposal
* 90 decibels: A motorcycle or lawnmower


The amount of airflow a fan moves is measured in CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute).

Obviously, higher decibel and higher CFM go hand in hand, but is it possible to find fans that have a low decibel rating, but high CFM output? The answer is yes, read on.

The first step in quiet-computing is the fans. They generate the noise, so it makes sense the correct the problem at the source. The most popular name in the PC community when it comes to high CFM output with low decibel ratings is Noctua, closely followed by Scythe. Scythe and Noctua are practically tied in terms of performance, but tests show that Noctua barely edges Scythe out, yet Scythe fans are of better build quality. Given the extremely insignificant difference, I'd recommend Scythe, but if you want that 1% difference, go with Noctua.

The next step in quiet computing is the foundation, and by foundation, I mean the computer case. Some cases are cheaply built, making the panels vibrate against eachother. Buying a solid case with a solid reputation for holding its ground against the vibrating forces inside, and also keeping the sound inside, is key to a silent computer. Antec is a popular name in quiet computing. This is where the path splits for performance users - what type of case will suit your silent needs? Rather than explain it, I'll just show it. On principal, you're either looking for this, this, or this type of case. Basically all out performance with a minor emphasis on silence, or a balance between performance and silence, or just silence but with reasonable airflow performance. Check here for a varied selection, research, find the case for you. Forums also help alot, too. I can't really give a personal recommendation because people have different tastes and needs, but my personal opinion is that the aforementioned cases are the top of each of their respective class. I can also say that Antec is widely known to be the name in computer case quality. All in all, opinions will vary.

Next is the CPU cooler. These can make the most noise in a computer case by far. Buying a CPU cooler that allows you to change the fan out with something quieter goes a long way. The downside with high-performance CPU coolers is the size - the better they are, the bigger they are. The size can sometimes be obscene, rest assured, you can find the size specifications on the manufacturer's website, and also check out YouTube for videos of people demoing their CPU coolers, as well as other hardware. If you want the best, as of this writing, it's the Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme, aka: TRUE. It's not a question of being the best in terms of cooling, even though it is, it's also the best in terms of being able to use whatever fan you want, and that's what matters here. If you want something a bit more conventional but still reasonably quiet, ZALMAN 9500A, or the ZALMAN CNPS9700 will suffice. Zalman is a popular name in the industry for balancing performance with silence.

GPU coolers typically aren't needed unless if you're overclocking or are very serious about silence. Zalman is very popular when it comes to quiet and good performing GPU cooling, starting there is your best bet.

The final device for a quiet system is the power supply. They have fans, so that's another problem to solve. The power supply you need depends on how much power your system requires, the amount and the type of cables for your devices, etc... basically beyond the scope of this guide. Research comes into play here.



About the Author
I have a computer repair business in the Antelope Valley - AV PC MediX. I service Palmdale, Lancaster, Quartz Hill, Acton, and Leona Valley