How can I make my computer quieter?

Question

All you hear is the fan going constantly, is there another way of cooling it? and is it easy to do?

Answer 1

There are many ways to make computers quieter, it depends how much money you want to spend and how quiet you want your computer. There are upgrades you can do to the case, fans and heatsinks as well as shifting the computer into another room and using long cables (recording studios do this). Sometimes you can replace the fans with very large heatsinks. Some computers can reduce the speed of the fans when it's cool, which means it's only noisy when the computer is hot or starting up. There might be an option or a utility that came with it to enable this feature. Alternatively if this feature is already on, maybe the computer is dusty - dust can reduce cooling.
See sites such as http://www.quietpc.com or http://www.endpcnoise.com/ for an example of upgrades.

See http://www.endpcnoise.com/cgi-bin/e/buildaquietpc.html and http://www.silentpcreview.com/ for more details. If you are not confident to do the upgrades yourself, any computer repair shop should be able to do it for you.

Answer 2

Turn the computer off and follow the ABC, just like in First Aid: Airway, Breathing, Circulation.

A. Make sure the case isn't crammed inside a tight airless cubbyhole or closed in under the desk. Make sure that there is space above and behid the computer. This is where it blows out the excess heat and if it can't, heat will build up and the fans will have to work harder.

B. Make sure there isn't fluff clogging the holes on the sides and back of the case, and sometimes underneath the front, depending on the casing. Check for dust on the fans; processor fan, power pack and any others you find. Use a paint brush or a can of compressed air to blow the dust from between the fins (follow the instructions on the can and do hold it at a distance from where you are spraying because some cause such a cooling effect that moisture gathers wherever you spray and that could silence your computer for good.)

Make sure the fans are actually able to spin. WD40 oil will bring them back if you know how to take them off the computer and peel back the sticker that covers the axle. If you don't know what you are doing, don't go there. Get an expert in or you might find yourself toasting your processor (and looking for me...)

C. A bigger more efficient cooler on the processor might help. So might adding fans if there aren't enough sucking air in the front and blowing it out the back.

New computer cases for Pentium 4 processors have these dandy tubes that guide cold air from outside the case straight onto the processor's fan and that cools a lot.

Lastly, don't pile paper on top of the computer. The casing is metal so that it will dissipate heat, particularly the area around the power pack and people sometimes put piles of paper and other stuff on top of the case, which stops the heat wafting off as it wants to.

Your enemies resumed: Dust. Enclosed spaces. Slow, weak or simply not enough, fans.

P.S. Other ways of cooling the PC also include those funky water cooling systems one can buy in specialist shops or online.

Answer 3

Swap out the fan for a better model.

My coolermaster 8cm sounded like a dyson vacuum cleaner but I replaced it with a SWiF 8cm and it's cooler and quieter... go figure.

Also, think about getting a more insulated case or get some insulating material to put inside the case.

But, it depends on what you want and how much ££££ you want to spend, you can get air conditioned cases but they cost £1000+

Answer 4

Your computer is showing its age. The noise comes from the bearings in the fans and the hard drive rotating. These noises indicate your machine is close to breaking down. I can't suggest anything that would be cost effective. Take the noise as a waening and start saving either for a new computer or an sibstantial upgrade.

Answer 5

Worn fans get noisy. They're a piece of piss to replace. I
You can always put a drop of oil on the bearing in the middle (usually behind a sticker) that'll shut it up for a while. Some fans are noisier than others too. Ask the dude in the shop.

Answer 6

New fans will help and a lot of hard drives are noisy if you replace both these things it will be a lot quieter

Answer 7

Sometimes you can get a quieter fan. But the fans are important so don't just unplug them or anything.

Answer 8

if its old, get a new power supply, like $70 and some technical skills needed to change it but not that many.

Or if you are rich just get a laptop (notebook) way quieter, would cost like $700 for a good one. Use your old monitor and keyboard. Much quieter.

Answer 9

I had tried an ice technique that worked real well, but it required a bath tub, and then though it was cool and quiet, it had other problems once the ice melted. I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Answer 10

It depends on what you want to spend!
There are super quiet CPU fans and PSU fans.
Also you can get rid of the fan, and use "pipe technology".
Or go liquid cooled.