Sound reduction foam? Overheats system?

  • Thread starter Thread starter RayLopez99
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RayLopez99

I'm researching a system that comes with sound-reduction foam. I
think I read somewhere that your system will run slightly hotter with
such foam, so I added the option of increased fan speed / better fan.

Any ideas on whether such foam is good or bad, and whether it cuts
down on noise?
 
I'm researching a system that comes with sound-reduction foam. I
think I read somewhere that your system will run slightly hotter with
such foam, so I added the option of increased fan speed / better fan.

Any ideas on whether such foam is good or bad, and whether it cuts
down on noise?
Click to expand...

I have a Lian Li PC-K10B. It is a very quiet case. The foam padding
helps to cut down on the noise from inside the case a lot.

The foam, by nature, is also an insulation, so heat inside the case
would be restricted from radiating out through the steel/aluminum walls.
But cases are not designed to dissipated heat through the walls. They
are designed to move air through the case. I don't believe that the foam
padding has any real world affect on the temps inside a well designed
case. A case with more and bigger fans would be important in this kind
of case.

My temps are very normal for my rig (Core i7 based).
 
    Is the case steel or aluminum?  Steel has more mass, and it resists
movement and flexing more than aluminum, thus not conducting as
much noise through the case walls to the outside. ..
The conclusions are that steel cases are quieter, you should remove
obstructions to airflow, and that the sound of exhaust air turbulence can
be absorbed OUTSIDE the case.
Click to expand...

I've heard in addition that aluminum cases have a tendency to resonate
sometimes because of electrical inductance from I think the power
supply (it sounds counterintuitive, since steel is a better
conductor).

RL
 
I've heard in addition that aluminum cases have a tendency to resonate
sometimes because of electrical inductance from I think the power
supply (it sounds counterintuitive, since steel is a better
conductor).

RL
Click to expand...

I expressed mirth in a clearly audible manner.
 
I've heard in addition that aluminum cases have a tendency to resonate
sometimes because of electrical inductance from I think the power
supply (it sounds counterintuitive, since steel is a better
conductor).

    If you're referring to electromagnetism from various inductors inthe
power supply, steel is susceptible to that because it is a ferrous metal -
unlike aluminum which is not.  
Click to expand...

Makes sense, but I do recall somebody saying Al was worse than Fe,
perhaps for the reason you mention, the mechanical resonance rather
than electrical.

    Here's a thought - an ugly thought, but an interesting thought:
Stick carpet squares to the outside of the case.  They wouldn't cause
drag on the air flowing through the case, but they would definitely
de-couple the sides of the case from the ambient air and thus not
allow noise to transfer from the case walls to the outside air.  They
would also supply a degree of mass to lessen the amount of flex of the
case walls.  The kind of carpet squares that have a sheet plastic foam
base with adhesive already applied would be ideal.  If the family cat
likes to sleep on it, all the better.
Click to expand...

Or, if you intend to buy a system, just get them to add the foam for
$80 more. Plus they add a extra rubber gasket around the fans, and on
the feet of the chassis.

Speaking of the family cat, do you know that cats have much better
hearing than humans, perhaps even dogs, extending to the ultrasound
range? If you are being annoyed by the family PC, imagine what the
family cat must be hearing!

RL
 
    They must hear a lot, alright, but they seem to tolerate nois better than
humans do (except for fire crackers).  My guess is that a steady-state noise
doesn't mean anything to them so they ignore it.  As for me, the sound of
human conversation at any level while I'm reading drives me nuts.

*TimDaniels*
Click to expand...

Well that is the model for visual stimulus with cats: they only
respond to rates of change, i.e., moving objects, not unlike the T.Rex
in Jurassic Park.

RL
 
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