Help me build a sound isolation box for my computer?

[SunnyOctopus]

Using everyday household materials, or for very cheap!

My computer makes noise. I've oiled fans and everything, but it still makes kind of a whirring sound. It always has. This unwanted noise gets into recordings, and reduces the perceived dynamic range of my audio system. I DO NOT LIKE THAT! > : |

So, uhhh, anyone have ideas on how I could isolate the noise? I have an empty printer box. I tried putting the computer in ther box, and it fit in there just about perfectly, but my computer would start to heat up, and also I think the small enclosure of the box might have been acoustically amplifying the noise. I have an SPL meter, so I can measure how well my methods are working, but I couldn't at the time I tried that so I can't say for sure.

I have a couple ideas that are a little out there...do you guys know any tricks? Could I line the box with a specifically colored t-shirt, or something? You guys always have your methods.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME! : D

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I don't think you can make pc fully silent, unless basically rebuilding it using special parts and new case.
Putting it box is probably not good idea ether due to thermal issues.

How about to move PC to different room and use (cheap: extension cords, not so cheap: Cat5e KVM Console Extender Kit like TripLite or Aten

Do yourself a favor, if decided on the latter don't be tempted to buy cheap ones, since you'll suffer and then buy good one anyhow...

 

[Bryce_H]

not cheap, but effective - go to water cooling. Not proactical for 99.999% of people, but you end up with only a couple of low RPM fans. It could also be your enclosure - a different computer case might make the deifference.

 

[krzywica]

not cheap, but effective - go to water cooling. Not proactical for 99.999% of people, but you end up with only a couple of low RPM fans. It could also be your enclosure - a different computer case might make the deifference.

Watercooling would not be a solution to your issue. There are still fans involved albeit low RPM ones. The only solution to a truly silent PC is passive cooling all the way around. Check out this article for a little insight.

http://metku.net/index.html?path=mods/passive/index_eng

 

[lsiberian]

If you built a case of rockwool around it you probably would silence it. Since rockwool is insulation I don't think you'd get too much heat in there, but I'd get a temperature sensor just in case.

 

[lsiberian]

Internally I suggest switching to a Solid State hard drives(. Also DVD drives are heat machines so ditch them too. A standard cd drive would be fine though I suggest keeping it disconnected for recording sessions(they make noise)

A quiet fan with heat sink compound should keep the processor cool.

It's also time to get components that are good enough for the job and not overkill. A video card step down for example should help.

Liquid cooling is an option, but a very expensive one especially for a quiet one.

You might look at an Antec Sonata case.

 

[Stereodude]

You should spend some time at SilentPCReview and their forums. You're better off quieting the system down instead of trying to build a hush box for it.

 

[alcy]

It would be better if you posted the specs of the system. Will help to isolate the sources of noise and make it easier to suggest solutions.

 

[gkaste]

Long cables and a closet.

 

[alexwakelin]

Is the "whirring" thats bothering you just fan noise? Can you narrow it down to either the case fan or cpu fan? You might be able to get the noise down to acceptable levels by just adding a fan controller and dialing them down when you are recording. If its the cpu fan you could swap out the cooler for either a large heatpipe cooler or maybe the Corsair H50 with some low rpm fans on it.

If the hard drive noise is bothering you, then as mentioned switching to an SSD will cut that noise down if its in your budget. If not, you might want to look into a different case. IIRC, the Antec P180 has sound deadening material built into the case and might help with your noise issue.

Silent PC Review is a good resource, as is Frosty Tech, which rates CPU coolers by noise output as well as cooling efficiency:
http://www.frostytech.com/

Edit:
Are you still running the stock cpu cooler/case fans? Stock fans/coolers have always had a horrible noise/performance ratio. Look into adding a fan controller and possibly swapping out the stock case fans/cpu cooler.

 

[just-some-guy]

i felt your PAIN. my box used to be pretty loud, i HATED it !!!
stacking junk on/around it, helped..... i sought out a cabinet for it. one day i found it, on the side of the road. put the box in it. BAMMMM quiet computer !!!!

note
my usage isn't heavy. and this cabinet does get a bit hot. so ymmv. but it is working for me.