NSK2400 as a quiet desktop PC

[metalchaos]

Hi everyone... love this site. You've inspired me to want a quiet computer and I thank you for that.

I had a noisy computer (Pentium D [email protected], Freezer 7, Coolergiant 480w, 2 Maxtors in a big chieftec case) and I decided that I want something small, quiet and with equal performance.
I loved the NSK3300 but I couldn't sell my Enermax so I bought the NSK2400.
There is what I've done with it.
First the components:

Antec NSK2400
Enermax Coolergiant 480W
Asrock Conroe945G-DVI
Core2duo E6300@2100MHz (7*300)
4*512MB Corsair 5400C4 @ 600MHz with 4-4-3-12
Zalman 7000B-CU @ 5V
2*Nexus 120 @ 660rpm
Audigy2 + Leadtek tuner
LG H22N DVDRW
Akasa FC03 fan controller
Western 3200KS (for now)

First of all i've removed the blower from the Enermax and replaced the fans with two Recom.
The case of the PSU is made of alluminium and all fans(@5v) that I've tried (different types of Akasa, Panaflo) vibrated way too much. These Recoms are quite good (at 5V - 1100rpms) and now the PSU is the most quiet component.

The HDD is borrowed and it's too noisy (especially the seeks). I removed the feet (to lower the monitor) and the bottom silicone rubber grommets touches the desk and I can feel those seeks. And it's less performant than my "old" DiamondMax 10 with 16mb cache. I'm very dissapointed.

I still don't know what to buy a Samsung HD401LJ or WD 5000KS. They are both quiet (as I read) but the WD si quite expensive and I'm concerned with it's reliability. What do you know about that? Not many people buy this so there is not much feedback... I don't want to lose 500GB of data.

Besides the HDD the noisiest component is the Zalman because of the bearing but I'll keep it to cool the mainboard components. Hopefully I'll find a 92 Nexus.

One big problem is that the case is right in front of me (~1m) so I can hear every noise... even if it's quiet it's not silent but I'm happy for now.
I can hear the idle noise of the HDD so hopefully that will improve with the new one. And I can also hear the air moved by the two Nexus. And of course the bearing of the Zalman.

Oh... and I'm waiting a mainstream passive cooled DX10 video card.

Anyway... I'm waiting if you have any suggestions (especially with the HDD because it's next on my list).

[ciz28]

The HDD is borrowed and it's too noisy (especially the seeks). I removed the feet (to lower the monitor) and the bottom silicone rubber grommets touches the desk and I can feel those seeks. And it's less performant than my "old" DiamondMax 10 with 16mb cache. I'm very dissapointed.

Have you been watching your hard drive temps? I wonder how much airflow it is getting since you have removed the feet from under the case. Also, I haven't really looked into it thoroughly yet in my system, but I'm guessing that you could set up some sort of suspension for your hard drive if you remove enough of the stock mounting hardware, especially since you only seem to need one drive.

edt: btw, I forgot to mention, very nice job wiring! I always appreciate a clean looking build

[metalchaos]

40-43°C.
I haven't screwed the bottom grommets.
I'm waiting to buy the new drive and then I'll decide about suspension, because I really like a solid aproach.

[metalchaos]

I just realized... I can't replace the Zalman with a 92 Nexus because it will work in horizontal position right?

[MC FLMJIG]

Red PSU?

You can cut out the side with a dremel and put mesh = more quiet. Maybe it's the PSU? The Zalman on low should not cause much noise. At least the 770 wasn't so bad.

[metalchaos]

Yes... red Enermax

I'm pretty sure it's the Zalman because it's clear difference when I stop it with a finger. The PSU has a hum that's inaudible at 1m. And I can clearly hear the noise from the right side (where the nexus are) but if I stop both Nexus it doesn't make any difference.
Now I've found a 92 Nexus here in Romania but I don't think I can swap the fan. What do you know about placing a Nexus in horizontal position.


Anyway... like I said... it sits in front of me and I can hear everything so hopefully with a 500 SE16 it'll be more quiet. Or maybe I'll use some fome to cancel this high freq noise.

[MC FLMJIG]

What I do is if I hear something I stop the fans with my hand. If it still goes then I keep stopping fans till I find culprit.