Reduce the noise of your computer

There are many potential annoyances when using a PC ­ poor performance, an unstable internet connection and complicated software to name but a few. But for anyone who spends more than a few minutes a day working with their computer, noise can be a major irritation.

We’re not talking about sounds from speakers, but rather the whir that many computer users have become accustomed to the moment the power button is pressed. The source of such noise is the moving parts within the case, such as the fans that are used for cooling, the power supply ­ which usually has its own fan ­ and moving drives such as the hard disk and CD/DVD drives. Thankfully, there are steps that can be taken to help reduce the noise output of virtually any computer. In this Masterclass we’ll show you how to restore calm around your workspace.

Noise-makers
One of the main reasons that computers produce noise is the cooling they require. In recent years processors and graphics cards have become faster, leading to the production of more heat which requires additional cooling. In most desktop PCs there will be at least three fans: one on the processor; one built into the power supply and one cooling the graphics card. Each of these fans will produce some noise of its own and the volume increases when they are all running simultaneously. Factor in the noise caused by the spinning of the hard disk and optical drives (CD/DVD writers), which in turn can create vibrations that can be amplified by the case, and it is little wonder that so many people find their computer noisy.

Heat dissipation
Unless your PC has an old or particular low-power processor, it is likely that the chip will require at least one fan to aid cooling. However, the cooling work of the fan can be reduced by installing a more efficient heat sink. The job of the heat sink is to transfer heat away from the processor itself, working in a similar way to a car’s radiator, while the fan helps to speed up the process by drawing cool air over the fins. By installing a larger, more-efficient heat sink, it is possible to transfer more heat more quickly, reducing the reliance on fan cooling.

There are a number of options when it comes to heat sinks upgrades, and those which offer more advanced cooling generally look very different to those supplied as standard. Asus’ Triton 75 is just one example of a heat sink which allows for the installation of a larger fan ­ 12cm as opposed to the more traditional 8cm variety. The fact that a larger fan can move more air, coupled with the installation of a larger heat sink, means that the fan can rotate more slowly, thus making less noise. To ensure the best possible transfer of heat between the processor and heat sink, it is important to apply a layer of thermal paste (also known as thermal compound and heat paste) to improve conductivity.

Quieter fans
There are several approaches to reducing fan noise, one of which is to simply install a quieter fan. We have already mentioned that larger fans are generally quieter than smaller varieties, but it is advisable to look for models that are described as brushless or sealed as this will help reduce noise further. Sealed motors are more resilient to dust and, as dust can increase fan volume over time, this is an important factor. When comparing quiet fans, it is important to compare the noise output level (measured in decibels, or dB). As a rough guide, the volume of normal human speech is around 50-60dB, while a busy road may be 90dB. It goes without saying that the lower the rating the better, from a noise perspective.

As well as larger and quieter fans, another option is to install more fans, as this increases the air flow inside the PC’s case and reduces the amount of work each individual fan has to do. Sensors within modern computer cases are used to determine the overall temperature and adjust fan speed accordingly. If temperatures are high, the fan speed will be increased to compensate and vice versa. With a number of quiet fans in place, noise output levels can be significantly reduced. There are several websites that specialise in the supply of cooling equipment: Visit Quiet PC, Pure Silence and Overclockers UK to see some examples of what is available.