Case Padding to add silence!?!

[xbiker321]

I have a cheiftec case with window and its a little loud with 3 hard drives and 5 fans so I was wondering what would be the best way to mod the case with some sort of rug/padding to absorb some of the noise.

here is a pic of the case if no one knew what it looked like...mine is black FYI :p
http://www.sharkacorp.com/images/chen/combo-a2esw-bl.jpg

Any tips and ideas will be apreshiated, thanks.

-xbiker321

[cobray]

I have the same case, but with an intake on the clear side panel. You may want to consider removing the front intake fans. They did not help my cooling at all. Im running 2x exhaust + 2 fans in the PS and 1 intake on the side and it has never run cooler. Removing those two front intake fans cut down on my noise quite a bit.

If your mechanically savvy, you shoudl take a dremel and cut out the fan guards on the front and back. The turbulence from the air passing thru the holes adds to a good amount of noise too.

[bigsoomo]

you can try paxmate...if not hit up a home depot and get some of that stuff where they lay it in between the floor and the rug...worth a try

[bigsoomo]

OR...you can try some foam padding with the bee hive stuff poppin out...u can get that at a hobby shop...i belive its for packing R/C stuff.

[CalsonicGTR]

there are some places that sell foam padding for comps. i'd have to go and dig for one of their ads to remember it

just a word of warning, make sure that you are careful when applying the foam. while it will absorb some of the sound, it will also insulate the case more, which cuases more heat to build up inside the case. if your cooling is up to it, then there shouldnt be a problem.

[stool]

Check out the stuff available here (http://www.b-quiet.com/) . I've used some of their stuff, and gotten good results. Its best to use this on all metal surfaces. Other materials that deaden noise to some degree are rug pads, styrofoam, accoustic ceilig tile, and even cardboard to a lesser degree.

Another thing you can try is using rubber washers between fan and case, and using rheostats or a fan controller.

Also, if you can find the correct size, you can use plastic screws to mount your drives.

[xbiker321]

Originally posted by cobray
I have the same case, but with an intake on the clear side panel. You may want to consider removing the front intake fans. They did not help my cooling at all. Im running 2x exhaust + 2 fans in the PS and 1 intake on the side and it has never run cooler. Removing those two front intake fans cut down on my noise quite a bit.

If your mechanically savvy, you shoudl take a dremel and cut out the fan guards on the front and back. The turbulence from the air passing thru the holes adds to a good amount of noise too.

Sounds good, i think I will have to get a dremel. Also whats the easiest way to get the front off the case so I can cut off the fan grills?


Originally posted by stool
Check out the stuff available here (http://www.b-quiet.com/) . I've used some of their stuff, and gotten good results. Its best to use this on all metal surfaces. Other materials that deaden noise to some degree are rug pads, styrofoam, accoustic ceilig tile, and even cardboard to a lesser degree.

Another thing you can try is using rubber washers between fan and case, and using rheostats or a fan controller.

Also, if you can find the correct size, you can use plastic screws to mount your drives.

That stuff is way to expensive. I will get some rubber washers for the fans. Also why would plastic screws make a difference than metal screws for the hard drives?

[Bensa]

They don't vibrate and cause so much noise as metal against metal.

[stool]

Taking off the front bezel depends on the design of your case, but you can tell when you take off the sides. You'll either see screws or plastic retainers(or a combination of the two) holding the front on. For safety's sake you are better off removing everything from your case so no pesky little metal flakes or filings screw up your gear. As the front metal fan guard on the case won't be visible, you can cut it with a jigsaw, hacksaw, or metal shears after you make a starter hole. I'd also recommend some sort of fan filter to prevent dust buildup.