Thermotake CPU fan LOUD

[hambone2]

Hello, I have my Volcano Thermotake CPU fan cranked all the way up, but sometimes I cant hear myself think , esp while on the phone...

Is there a way to quiet it down, but have it maintain its high speed spin?

My friends are like "Damn,whats that noise??"

[Train]

Which model? Because some of them have a 60mm fan and boy, can they scream!

[hambone2]

Volcano 11

[photolady]

My computer has the Volcano 11 on it, and it sounds like an airplane taking off. Mine also came with two switches I could install if I wanted to do so, to control fan speed. If yours did, I would install one of them. One is for installation in a 5.25 bay the other in the rear as a PCI slot.

[Train]

Now looking at the Volcano 11 on the web , which of the 3 methods are you usingg to control the rpm.?

[Murph]

I also tried the Volcano 11, but the roar became too much to deal with. Adjusting the fan speed would help, but I got tired of monitoring my CPU temp. in order to adjust the speed accordingly.

I thought about switching the fan on the heatsink, but was wary of simply going to a quieter fan with less airflow (as my CPU temps. were not outstandingly low when the Volcano's stock fan was running wide open). So I tried a different approach. I switched to the more generic Coolermaster CP5-8JDIF-0L heatsink/fan. I then modded my case and put a 120 mm fan right above my CPU.

The noise level dropped considerably - and somewhat surprisingly, my average CPU temp. dropped by about 15 degrees Fahrenheit Total cost of this new gear was less than I paid for the Volcano 11, and I actually got better results. After years of trying high-priced heatsink/fan combos - focusing on copper quality, # of fins, max. fan airflow, etc. - I am still surprised that these two cheaper options perform better. Although, I haven't tried any of the newer "uber" fan/heatsink combos - some of their weights and overall sizes would just seem to cause too many issues with my current configuration.

Not a solution to your question, but something to consider if no one comes up with anything better.

[photolady]

My Volcano 11 is running full out and I just checked my temps....39C. Can't beat that. Murph did you put Artic Silver on? I did.....

I can live with the noise if it keeps my cpu cool....

[K G G]

I had used the Volcano 11 before as well, running at about 70% load was sufficient cooling w/o too much noise.
I also use this Akasa noise reduction material on the inside.

Cheers
KGG

[Divergent Species]

KGG, did you find a significant reduction in noise when you installed the Akasa sound damping material?

[K G G]

Yes I did.
Check out my link in the signature - you can see detailled pictures where the Akasa is installed.
Considering the 10 fans in my system (3x IN, 2x OUT, 2x PS, 1x ea. MOBO/HSF/Vid) I need a quiet PC

Also, make sure all nuts and bolts are fairly tight, so that no parts in the system rattle from the fan movements.

[Divergent Species]

I have a similar system as respects fans: 6 case fans, 2 psu fans, cpu fan, video card fan, 40mm Northbridge fan and 4x40mm hard drive cooler fans. Noise is tolerable as I use head phones in an isolated room. However, at some point I will be adding speakers and will need to cut the fan noise.

[104456]

You should check out the dB [decibel] rating on the fans if your considering purchasing new again as I found theremaltake processor and case fans to be ever so loud and ended up reinstalling my older [and a lot quieter] fans.

Volcano Series
17 dB at 1300 rpm
48 dB at 4800 rpm

Antec PRO 80mm Fan

30 dBA

80mm Crystal Blue case Fan

20 dBA

As you see from 20 to 48dB is a BIG leap

BTW these were the Thermaltake fans I installed and took out again.Look nice but two systems running fans at 39dB is tooo loud for me.

[K G G]

To add to 104456:
At the same time as looking at dB, look at the CFM (airflow). A quiet fan that doesn't move much air won't do any good.
You need a decent combination of both.

My approach is more fans at medium settings.


KGG

[104456]

Just to also add if you have the room in your case and wish to cut down noise then a 100mm fan with an 80 to 100mm convertor fitted is bound to reduce noise as it turns slower for the same airflow.

[K G G]

Here's a good example of a bigger fan with high cfm and acceptable noise level : link