quieting hsf noise

[KFB]

I have read about quieting fans on heatsinks by eliminating vibrations. Can anyone offer insight on this? Does it really work? Will the fan be noticeably quieter? Thanks in advance.:)
:burn:

[KFB]

*** bump ***

[dugans]

Two tricks I've seen posted somewhere:

small rubber washers between sink and fan-1 per screw

spacer between sink and fan-about 5mm(1/4")

I have not yet tried either so I cannot say how effective these ideas are- but the washers make some sense: sort of like a motor mount in a car to reduce vibration.

I'm glad you asked: got me thinking and I'm going to find some washers at work in the morning!

[Diggrr]

I like to use rubber grommets. Drill a 5/16 hole, the gromet flanges out on both sides of the hole. The center hole is just right for a fan screw, and totally isolates vibration.

$2.00 for four here:http://www.caseetc.com/cgi-bin/caseetc/F-047.html

Sorry, didn't notice the hsf part. Best bet for dropping temps there is a ducted larger (quieter) fan. Use either the fan on the back, or a new one on the door, ducted to the hsf.

[Arkaine23]

Much the same principal as rubber washers, puts fan on rubbery cushion above heatsink so the two pieces no longer contact each other and vibration is nullified. Slight decrease in noise. Tube of silicone costs @ $2-$3. Takes 5-10 minutes. I didn't notice that much improvement, however any excuse to open up the case and start tinkerin' works for me! Article on this kind of mod in heatsink section of Tips & Tricks.

[Sonny]

Use a duct with a bigger fan & you'll be happy:beer:

[Yodums]

I believe you can put silicone on the fan fins to stop vibrations. And about the quiet fan I don't know go water cooling :)

[KFB]

Thanks to all who responded with suggestions. I will probably try the silicone trick, but the duct idea sounds most promising. Anyone tried ducting and noticed a significantly quieter noise? What about temps? Seems like if you replaced a 60mm with a 120mm fan it would really increase the CFM's and therefore lower the temps.
Just got an idea:
-> Mount and duct a 120mm and use a rheostat or the 5V or 7V trick to slow the fan a bit. That might make my machine quieter...

[Sonny]

If you can create a good velocity duct then the 120mm would be great but you'll probably have better luck goin 80mm-60mm or 120mm-92mm/80mm;)

[outhouse]

I did the silicone trick and it helped quite a bit, its not a screamer anymore.

[Sonny]

Originally posted by Kentucky Fried Bird
I will probably try the silicone trick, but the duct idea sounds most promising. Anyone tried ducting and noticed a significantly quieter noise? What about temps? Seems like if you replaced a 60mm with a 120mm fan it would really increase the CFM's and therefore lower the temps.
Just got an idea:
-> Mount and duct a 120mm and use a rheostat or the 5V or 7V trick to slow the fan a bit. That might make my machine quieter... Take a look at this thread (http://forums.overclockers.ws/vb/showthread.php?threadid=52995). If you need help on the duct just post back:beer: