Can I quiet a noisy power supply?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mike
  • Start date Start date
If it's a 250 Watt power supply, take the fan out You don't need it. It's
just there for show.
 
Same goes for Neals brain.

If the power supply is noisy then either you got a cheapy where the fan just
makes lots of noise moving air, or you have a failing fan. Solution for
either is simple, replace the fan with a quieter model. (I'm sure lots will
have opinions on which)

It might be easier/better just to get a better quality power supply. What
model do you have now?
 
Neal said:
If it's a 250 Watt power supply, take the fan out You don't need it. It's
just there for show.
Click to expand...

Since you know *nothing* about the thermal headroom of ANY of the
components inside the power supply, your above statement is quite
laughable and shows considerable ignorance on your part. Any or all
internal PSU components may be taxed thermally without the airflow
provided by the fan, regardless of the PSU's output rating.

Additionally, the PSU fan is responsible for providing airflow for the
entire system, not just the PSU. Since the OP didn't mention any other
system fans (front or rear), assuming they exist is irresponsible.
 
Is there a way to make this thing less noisy, I dont mind having to open it
up
Click to expand...

We generally like to deal with specifics, not vague questions, since
that's the only way to get a quality reply that is applicable to your
particular situation.

"In general", you'd want to remove a stamped-in fan grill if one
exists, assess the overall airflow of the system to determine if the
REST of the system is reliant on chassis cooling provided by the power
supply, then decide if you can simply reduce PSU airflow or must then
substitute additional other chassis airflow to compensate.

Provided your modifications keep system components within thermal
margins, swapping in a good name-brand lower RPM power supply fan can
help. It's not just the "opening it up" that matters, it's whether
you have the time to source an appropriate fan, the ability to make
safe and secure modification of your power supply, including possibly
dismantling, soldering, heat-shrinking the leads, ending up with a
safe and long-term solution. If you're already accustomed to doing
such things it's worthwhile, but if not you might want to just buy a
quieter power supply, particularly if your system doesn't need >=
400W, a lower wattage power supply (like Sparkle/Fortron) can be
relatively quiet and inexpensive.



Dave
 
I'm running my pc on a 250 watt power supply with no fan for about a month
now. No problems, fart knocker.
 
I'm running my pc on a 250 watt power supply with no fan for about a month
now. No problems, fart knocker.
Click to expand...

It is possible, but on average, doing so will damage at least the
power supply. It's a certainty that you're reducing the lifespan of
the power supply too, if it doesn't die by unpredictible incident like
a power surge, it may fail at any time, generally power supplies have
lifespan reduction by 50% per 10C temp difference. Even an extremely
low RPM fan would typically result in power supply lasting multiple
times longer, and that used 250W PSU you risk is only worth $10
contrasted to typical $30-80 of a modern PSU.


Dave
 
Neal said:
I'm running my pc on a 250 watt power supply with no fan for about a
month now. No problems, fart knocker.
Click to expand...

And I used to drive drunk all the time when I was younger but it would be
irresponsible of me to recommend that someone else does the same. I was
lucky (as were the other road-users at the time). Consider yourself lucky
that your PSU hasn't blown up yet, or compromised the life of the other
components in your case as the heat it produces isn't being exhausted
properly. Is it winter where you live? A month isn't long, what happens when
the ambient temps go up?

And 'fart knocker'? That's the most nonsensical insult I've seen on usenet
for a long time.

Arguing ad-hominem on usenet is like competing in the Special Olympics. If
you win you're still a retard.
 
its an Achieve 500 watt with 2 fans. the noise is mostly air noise which can
get annoying. I need a lot watts because of all the power sucking hardware
I have.
Come to think of it, I have a total of 5 fans

2 PS fans
1 case fan
1 CPU fan
1 graphics card fan

maybe the noise is a combination of all the fans
 
Neal said:
I'm running my pc on a 250 watt power supply with no fan for about a month
now. No problems, fart knocker.
Click to expand...

Congratulations! Too bad the above says nothing about the validity of
advice you gave to the OP (Mike.)
 
Neal said:
I'm running my pc on a 250 watt power supply with no fan for about a month
now. No problems, fart knocker.
Click to expand...

Best to get a good smoke alarm and a fire extinguisher to go with it. A
prepaid burial plot might be a good idea also. Should you live and hurt
somebody else be prepared to get sued for life and a nasty prison term might
be in order also. Removing the fan of a PSU comes under the catorgory of "
it just don't get no dumber than that" .

Lane
 
its an Achieve 500 watt with 2 fans. the noise is mostly air noise which can
get annoying. I need a lot watts because of all the power sucking hardware
I have.
Come to think of it, I have a total of 5 fans

2 PS fans
1 case fan
1 CPU fan
1 graphics card fan

maybe the noise is a combination of all the fans
Click to expand...

You do not need a lot of watts for your system if the Achieve can
power it, the Achieve is a low-end unit that is surpassed in output
capability and saftey by practically every name-brand 350+W unit. If
we had better regulatory standards it would be illegal for
manufacturers to label what you have as a "500W" power supply, or
perhaps it is but there are greater evils in the world to preoccupy
us.

It is wise to swap out the fan not only for noise reduction but so
that a cheap, failure-prone fan, doesn't (fail). Particularly the
exhaust fan needs replaced, since being exposed to more heat it'll
typically fail sooner, and it is the more important fan regardless.
Most likely you won't find a fan with correct connector at "PC"
resellers, so easiest would be buying the fan you want then splicing
the wires, soldering and heatshrink covering that. The quieter fan(s)
you want would be spec'd for < 3K RPM or perhaps ideally around .12A,
+-.02A.

On the other hand I'd probably just buy a better power supply, in the
long run it can be cheaper than replacing fans, power supplies, other
failed parts.


Dave
 
Neal said:
Your an Fool.
Kiss my power suppy.

By the way, my computer isn't in a case. Its naked.
Click to expand...

"An" fool? "Power suppy"? Whatever. As soon as you save up the $3 to buy a
new fan you can start saving for a case.
 
Neal said:
Your an Fool.
Kiss my power suppy.

By the way, my computer isn't in a case. Its naked.
Click to expand...

I take it back when I said earlier it just don't get any dumber than that.

Lane
 
Neal said:
Your an Fool.
Click to expand...

Three words, three errors.

1) It should be "You're" not "Your."
2) It should be "a" fool, not "an" fool.
3) "Fool", as you used it, should not be capitalized.

Calm down and think before you type.
 
replace the power supply?
man you are nuts, no thanks
Click to expand...

Mike, no matter how highly you think of it, it's JUNK.
You got what you paid for. People don't pay more for a quality PSU
just for the hell of it.

It's no "skin off my back" if it fails on you, and i'm not offering to
sell you a power supply, so why would I suggest replacing it
otherwise?

If you compare it to a good 500W PSU you'll see what I mean.
A comparable true-wattage output power supply with a much quieter
fan, like a Sparkle 350W, costs less than $45 delivered. That's a
reasonable cost to have a quiet power supply that's less likely to
damage your system.


Dave
 
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