2nd PSU poll: please VOTE AGAIN!

Post by **NeilBlanchard** » Wed Jun 11, 2003 7:35 pm

Hello:

I've just built a new system (for a relative), and I used the Compucase CI-6A21 case that New Egg sells for ~$63US including shipping -- and the stock Heroichi HEC-300AT-T 300watt power supply is pretty darn decent! I won't say it's silent but under no/low load it's YS Tech fan is very quiet. If the case heats up (like it did when I was running the Athlon Xp 2500+ Barton and no case fans) it gets a bit louder, but still is quite reasonable.

Now that I'm running a 120mmx25mm exhaust @5v, the PS fan is not an issue -- it is drowned out by the case fan. Later, I will be trying some (hopefully) quieter 120mm case fans (the Enermax's with manual speed control) and I'll update on how the HEC PS sounds...

Rory B. · Post by **Rory B.** » Wed Jun 11, 2003 7:40 pm

I have found that the best way to keep my Enermax 350-watt PSU quiet is to use it in conjunction with a pair of slow case fans. My dual Vantec Stealths at 5V in the back of the case help to keep that noisy little "Globe Fan" down to about 2000 RPM. The bottom fan on the PSU ejects a good deal of hot air out into the case, and the two fans at 5V are inaudible and also help the thing deal with some of its heat. I think I may try the thermistor mod where you dislodge the thermistor from the coil in order to keep the fan from spinning up prematurely.

Post by **NeilBlanchard** » Fri Jun 13, 2003 8:16 pm

Hello:

NeilBlanchard wrote:I've just built a new system (for a relative), and I used the Compucase CI-6A21 case that New Egg sells for ~$63US including shipping -- and the stock Heroichi HEC-300AT-T 300watt power supply is pretty darn decent! I won't say it's silent but under no/low load it's YS Tech fan is very quiet. If the case heats up (like it did when I was running the Athlon Xp 2500+ Barton and no case fans) it gets a bit louder, but still is quite reasonable.

Now that I'm running a 120mmx25mm exhaust @5v, the PS fan is not an issue -- it is drowned out by the case fan. Later, I will be trying some (hopefully) quieter 120mm case fans (the Enermax's with manual speed control) and I'll update on how the HEC PS sounds...

The 2 Enermax 120mmX25mm fans are running at <5v and the HEC PS fan is kept to a minimum. It is not as quiet at the Fortron 120mm PS, though is isn't too bad, so if you buy a Compucase, you may be able to save some $$$ and live with it. I will say that the YS Tech fan in the HEC PS is a more pleasant "whoosh" than the 80mm NMB's, which have a bit of a rumble.

Athlon XP 2500+ Barton w/ Alpha PAL8045 & Enermax thermally controlled fan = pretty darn quiet @ 40C under 100% CPU load. This is 5-6C lower than my oc'd 2100+ with GC-68/NMB combo
Asus A7N8X Deluxe
512MB PC3200
80GB Seagate 7200.7
Matrox G550 DVI --> Samsung SyncMaster 152T
Samsung CD-RW
Samsung floppy (had to be "RMA'd" -- New Egg is just sending me a new one...

)
Zoom V.92 PCI modem

Colli1 · Post by **Colli1** » Sat Jun 14, 2003 1:08 pm

Don't want anything else than Q-technology

Many of you will disagree

Wedge · Post by **Wedge** » Sat Jul 26, 2003 6:45 pm

I just voted because I finally put together a system (still needs some work), but the Fortron 120mm[non-PF] is quiet. I had my side door off and peeped up into the bottom of the PSU. It appeared as though the PSU fan wasn't running and I thought *damn! I can't beleive it's not working, just bought it*

Well, I turned off the computer and only then did I see the blades slow to a halt. I was seeing that illusion of something not turning when it really is. So, this should give you an impression that the noise level is very good since I was relying on sight to make sure the fan was turning.

EDIT/ mine is a 300w non-active PFC w/noisekiller

jerryk · Post by **jerryk** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 9:18 pm

I just installed this PS in my system. What a difference. The PS is virtually silent. Even after loading up the system by doing kernel compiles the fan noise is almost silent.

My system is a P2.4 with 512 MBytes running RH 9.2.

jerry

Post by **Ralf Hutter** » Mon Aug 11, 2003 4:01 am

Re: "A vote for the Seasonics Super Silencer 400"

Me too, me too!!!

I was walking down the aisle at Fry's and noticed all the 400WSuper Silencers sitting on the shelf. I bought one, half on a whim and half because I was already considering buying one after MikeC's rave review.

I'm very, very impressed. It's quieter than my Nexus 3000 and runs cooler (at least the air coming out the back is cooler). Plus 400W should be enough to hold me for a long time, even if I ever get one of those humungo 9700 or 9800 ATI vidcards.

2 big thumbs up for the 400W Super Silencer!

MercenaryForHire · Post by **MercenaryForHire** » Tue Aug 12, 2003 1:35 pm

"Other, modded"

IBM 185W, 92mm fan on rubber mounts.

- M4H

jamoore9 · Post by **jamoore9** » Tue Aug 12, 2003 4:26 pm

I upgraded! Take me out of the "other, stock" column and put another one in the 120mm Fortron column! Love this thing!

thebiggreenone · Post by **thebiggreenone** » Sat Aug 16, 2003 4:42 pm

I have an Enermax EG451P-VE (431 watts), stock. While it has dual fans, a 92mm and 80mm, it is much more quiet than one would expect. I am new here, but it seems people complain about the noise of even the Enermax Whisper, this PSU is from before then, I bought it for my T-Bird 800mhz back when 800mhz was respectable. The fan speed monitor tells me it is spinning at ~1500rpm, but I still hear bearing noise from that.

Anyway, I plan on modding it soon, I just need to figure what I need to do....

I ordered a Frontron 120mm yesterday from Newegg for my brother, it is on the mail right now.

acc15 · Post by **acc15** » Sun Aug 24, 2003 11:40 am

Currently using a Macron 300W PSU, modded with a Panaflo L1A fan. The system is a Pentium4 Northwood 1.8Ghz, moderately overclocked at 2Ghz..

The backup system, namely a Celeron-Tualatin 1300Mhz oldy, is using an even older 250W "Linkworld" PSU, again modded with an L1A fan. Who are "Linkworld"? Beats me!

GenghiS_KhaN · Post by **GenghiS_KhaN** » Sun Aug 24, 2003 2:32 pm

using the zalman 400w one,

cant here it at the moment (because im still running a loud HS fan (waiting for papst ones

) and stock fan on the sapphire radeon 9700pro)
but sometimes i can hear it clicking, but you only hear that if you pay attention to it.

kamina · Post by **kamina** » Tue Aug 26, 2003 12:11 am

I bought the 350w fortron with a 120mm fan and I'm lovin it. My previous powersupply was a 350w antec. I tried changing the fans in it, and lowering the speed to 7v, but it was still loud as hell. It might have been better if the fans I was putting into it where better, but I don't regret changing for a moment.

luminous · Post by **luminous** » Thu Oct 30, 2003 11:00 am

I have an Antec True Power 380W and a Chieftec 420W. They are both as loud as each other.

The Antec Supply is also as load as my Mesh 250W supply. The Antec also clicks when it runs, this click is clearly audible from one of the fans inside when you are right next to the power supply.

Considering that the Mesh 250W is a cheap rubbishy thing and the Chieftec is only a backup power supply, the fact that the Antec was as loud as both of those is a major disappointment.

The Antec is quiet when first turned on, but is up to full volume after 5-10 mins

buan · Post by **buan** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 11:01 am

One vote for Zalman. I have a Zalman ZM300A-APF, bought in mid august 2002. But its days are numbered. Too noisy.

I've ordered a silentmaxx FANLESS FL 350 PCS.
That, along with some other goodies will be the christmas gifts I'll surprise myself with this year.

cliche · Post by **cliche** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 12:16 pm

modded ss-400 Active with 80 mm Panaflo L and vents twisted 90 degrees as per the article on SPCR. Oh and grill removed
Just need to put some rubber grommets on to hold the fan as I want it even quieter -lol

Gerco · Post by **Gerco** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 9:20 pm

Currently I have an Enermax 365 Papst (temp controlled) I am amazed not more people use it, I hardly see it posted here. It came with the papst by default, and the fans run on 4 V max pretty much or so. I can really see the fans rotate, the rpm is that low. Obviously it is also very quiet. it did cost 140 E. Yet It is currently one of noisest things in my case since it still has an active fan

I am looking into options to mod my Qtec 550 to watercooling or else I will buy a Silentmaxx 420 watt and mount waterblocks on it. To eliminate the PSU fan

pangit · Post by **pangit** » Thu Dec 11, 2003 8:51 am

Bog standard 300W no-name PSU, modded with a Panaflo L1A (connected to my Sunbeam Rheobus, usually running around 7V) and a large hole cut directly above the CPU.

Liquidated · Post by **Liquidated** » Sun Dec 14, 2003 12:01 pm

I'm up to 4 of the non-active pfc Fortron/Sparkle 120mm psus

Gotten 2 of the 300 watt fortrons as well as 2 of the 350 watt sparkles and placed them in friends systems.

Have yet to have a single problem with any so far. They run very quiet (stock even) and are cheaper than dirt!!

just recently ordered a 5th fortron (another 300 watt) from directron while ordering an Antec SLK3700BQE. I opted to do without the stock 350 watt psu the case comes with and ordered the fortron instead... came out a few dollars cheaper than a stock case/psu.

Only found out about this PSU from SPCR and boy am I glad I found this place. =)

Cheers!
-liq

Thomc · Post by **Thomc** » Wed Jan 07, 2004 8:13 am

I have a pair of Enermax Whispers - but they are not the most common Enermax Whisper. Some Whispers had a factory option of manual control of the 80mm exhaust fan. When you have this option, the 80mm exhaust fan actually has a LONG three wire lead that allows you to plug the fan in to a motherboard fan header, so that the p/s exhaust fan can be monitored/managed by the motherboard - and the little rheostat knob sticking out the back of the p/s.

I bought these puppies a few years ago when the idea of "quiet" PC power supplies was not so wide spread - the Enermax was about the only game I could find.

I'm glad I insisted that my local supplier special order the "manual control" Whisper. I can tell you from years (two system, two years each) of experience that when I turn the 80mm fan down to anything below 1700 RPM (I usually run at the slowest speed - 1500 RPM), the noise from the power supply is GREATLY reduced - almost gone away! BTW - when I crank the 80mm fan down to 1500 RPM using the rheostat, it stays at 1500 RPM regardless of how hot the system gets.

I have just started my modding process on these power supplies. I am going to replace the 80mm fan with a Panaflo M with fan tach. I am also going to move the rheostat controlling the 80mm exhaust fan from the back of the power supply (very hard to reach on one of my systems) and either put it on the front panel or mount it on the wall (next to a couple of temp probe read-outs).

I haven't decided yet what to do with the 92mm intake fan.

Options for 92mm intake fan:

A) leave it out altogether (scary - my case doesn't have much air flow already)
- A1) Leave 92mm opening open
  A2) Block off 92mm opening
B) Replace the 92mm fan with a 92mm Panaflo L
- B1) Run 92mm fan at uncontrolled (except for thermistor?) 12V
  B2) Add variable resistor to 92mm Panaflo L for fine tuing
  B3) Add fixed resistor to 92mm Panaflo L and assume even slower is enuff
  B4) Add on/off switch to 92mm Panaflo L so I can experiment with fan or no fan - with or without fixed or variable resistor
C) Replace the 92mm fan with a 92mm Panaflo M
- C1) Run 92mm M fan at uncontrolled (except for thermistor?) 12V
  C2) Add variable resistor to 92mm Panaflo M for fine tuing
  C3) Add fixed resistor to 92mm Panaflo M and assume even slower is enuff
  C4) Add on/off switch to 92mm Panaflo M so I can experiment with fan or no fan - with or without fixed or variable resistor

I am going to ask for input on these various options elsewhere in the forum - see what the collected wisdom of SPCR has to say...

-thom-
"I want to be quet, but I NEED to be cool!"

randalee · Post by **randalee** » Sun Jan 18, 2004 10:48 pm

I modded my Antec TruePower 430 with a 120mm fan (only) -- replaced the two "harmonizing" fans with one quiet one.

Randy Clements
Salt Lake City, UT

bomba · Post by **bomba** » Mon Jan 19, 2004 7:26 pm

Sonata TP380-M1A BX mod, PS tach hooked to motherboard. Nominal PS fan speed is roughly 1200 RPM. PS is near silent. Per Tom Brown, I bent slats @ PS air intake 90-degrees to minimize restriction.

WoberT · Post by **WoberT** » Wed Jan 28, 2004 1:00 am

Antec TrueBlue 350 which is awful.. sounds like a fighterjet..

Steve Mac · Post by **Steve Mac** » Thu Feb 19, 2004 8:59 pm

Antec Smart Fan 300 watt that came with my 1030, modded w/ a Panaflo L1A.

Wrah · Post by **Wrah** » Tue Feb 24, 2004 3:40 am

HTPC has a Nexus-3000. My refrigator over in the kitchen makes more noise.
My main pc has a modded AOpen PSU (came with some other case), I switched the fan for a Papst NGL. It's very quiet but the air coming out is quite warm and I'm still in doubt wether I can trust this or not.

alglove · Post by **alglove** » Tue Feb 24, 2004 1:10 pm

The same old Enermax 330W power supply that I have had since the year 2000. No, it is not the quietest thing in the world, but I have tried to replace it with a Seasonic Tornado 400W and a Tagan 480W, and both of those were defective. I'll just lurk here until I decide on something else.

Wedge · Post by **Wedge** » Tue Feb 24, 2004 3:14 pm

alglove wrote:The same old Enermax 330W power supply that I have had since the year 2000. No, it is not the quietest thing in the world, but I have tried to replace it with a Seasonic Tornado 400W and a Tagan 480W, and both of those were defective. I'll just lurk here until I decide on something else.

Lurk here? You are doomed my friend. There is no turning back now. Think I'm lying? You'll see.......

Welcome, btw

rperezlo · Post by **rperezlo** » Wed Mar 10, 2004 9:47 am

BeQuiet 400W Active PFC, two fans. Includes fan voltage control for up to three case fans.

I can't hear it even if I place my ear 1 inch from it, and it doesn't increase the speed of the fans with the temperature as all the rest do but with the actual power load. That makes it always inaudible and the case fans too, as they are powered at 5 to 7 VDC.

A BeQuiet older model (not mine) was reviewed by Tom's Hardware and won the ergonomics award, both at idle and at full load. The difference at idle is narrow, but at full load is huge.

trodas · Post by **trodas** » Thu Mar 18, 2004 8:38 am

In main rig i using 431W Enermax, both fans modded to directly 5V and removed the fan grils from both too

It's not unaudible, but close enought.
Planing to replacing it for Silentmaxx fanless one to get trully and deeply into "the silence"

On my second rig, a fanless/noiseless VIA C3 powered machine i using oldie nonbranded PSU, modded to utilize cooper heatpipes to transfer the heat from the PSU chips to the PSU case and then to the whole machine case

Working like charm, but the machine have relatively little power requirments, so it might not work well, when the requirments are higher

Post by **MikeC** » Thu Mar 18, 2004 9:10 am

I can't hear it even if I place my ear 1 inch from it

Now that is the kind of statement people around here will react to by saying, "Sheesh, the guy must be deaf, you can hear anything that close.. or maybe he's employed by Be-Quiet!"

Are you sure you want to stand by that statement?

2nd PSU poll: please VOTE AGAIN!

What PSU do you use?

HEC-300AR-T

Enermax "Whisper"

update: HEC-300AR-T

A vote for the Seasonics Super Silencer 400

well