Of course not! And in this article we give you some tips and tricks to reduce the noise of your computer.
Tighten the screws: Vibration from your computer's components could be causing the noise. In this case, all you have to do is unplug the computer, remove the cover, and carefully tighten the screws on parts such as the power supply, motherboard, etc. Be careful not to overtighten the screws, as this could damage some components.
Move your computer: If you have a tower computer sitting vertically on your desk, try moving it to the floor. The vibration could cause the table surface to vibrate. This method can help reduce computer noise, especially if the room has a carpeted floor. Another thing you could do is move the tower further away and use extension cables to connect the monitor, mouse, keyboard, etc. While this method completely eliminates noise, it's not very practical because you won't have access to the USB port, CD/DVD drive, and the long cables can also be a problem.
The two methods we just described are free (unless you want to buy extension cables), so you can try them out and see the results. If these steps aren't enough, we'll list some devices you can buy to silence your computer.
The list is ordered according to the estimated cost from cheapest to most expensive.
The primary method for measuring noise years ago was based on sound pressure level, and the testing requirements were defined in ISO 7779.
In recent years, computer manufacturers have used sound power level, based on ISO 3744, to assess noise levels. Sound power level measurement uses overall power as a standard, making it less susceptible to environmental changes. For this reason, sound power level is gradually replacing sound pressure level in measurement methods.
The ISO 7779 standard can be measured under two conditions: operator or bystander. The operator condition refers to the sound level perceived by the operator during the operation of equipment, while the bystander condition refers to the sound level that a bystander would hear.
The sound emitted by a fan in a typical low-voltage embedded CPU system ranges from 40 to 45 dBA. Fans in servers or high-performance computers operate at around 55 dBA or more. And the total system sound level varies from 70 to 80 dBA. Whether it's an embedded system or a personal computer, the fans produce most of the system noise. Therefore, to reduce noise, we need to start with fan management.
A smart fan adjusts its rotation speed while simultaneously considering noise and cooling.
In IT systems, the primary function of a fan is to provide sufficient airflow to dissipate heat. The operating mode of these systems is quite simple: when the system is powered on, the fan runs at a fixed speed until it is switched off. This approach not only generates noise but also shortens the fan's lifespan. Due to these issues, the smart fan was proposed, which adjusts its operating speed to control noise.
The ISO 7779 standard describes the environmental and operational conditions. The general ambient conditions are between 15°C and 30°C. ISO 7779 also defines a laboratory temperature value of 23°C ± 2°C. Under these ambient temperature conditions, designers can use two methods to achieve a balance between cooling and noise. One method involves setting a target noise level of 35 dBA and then adjusting the fan speed to meet the desired level. The other method is to determine the relationship between key components and the system temperature.
First, the maximum possible operating temperature of the CPU must be determined, and then the fan speed and noise level adjusted accordingly. The temperature specification for CPUs is around 100°C when operating at full capacity. Under these conditions, the fan should run at full speed to prevent the CPU temperature from exceeding 100°C; system operation will remain stable, and the noise level will be kept at 35 dBA.
There are two ways to control CPU temperature with a fan. The first is by setting different fan speeds for different temperatures between 0 and 100°C. For example, when the CPU is at 60°C, the fan should spin at 3000 rpm; when the temperature rises to 70°C, the fan should increase to 5000 rpm; and when the CPU temperature reaches 80°C, the fan should run at full speed. The second method is by keeping the CPU temperature at a fixed value, such as 70°C. The fan speed should then be adjusted according to the actual CPU temperature. If the CPU temperature is within the standard range (for example, 67 to 73°C), the fan speed should not change. However, when the temperature is lower (for example, 67°C), the fan speed should decrease. On the other hand, if the temperature is higher than the standard range (such as 73°C), the fan speed should increase.
The fan speed is controlled by the equivalent voltage. We adjust the PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) duty cycle to control the equivalent voltage. The average fan voltage is 12 volts. Smart fans will measure the temperature and adjust the duty cycle to control the equivalent voltage, thereby adjusting the fan's operating speed.
The first method defines specific rotation speeds that will be reached once a certain temperature is reached; the system's response to heat is faster, but the dBA value will fluctuate more. The second method adjusts the fan speed according to the CPU temperature; the fan will gradually speed up or slow down. The dBA value will vary less with this approach, but the thermal response is slower compared to the first approach.
Hard drive enclosure (isolation chamber): This encloses your computer's hard drive in a soundproof enclosure. Note that you must have sufficient free space for installation.
CPU Cooler: Install a specially designed CPU fan that is compatible with your CPU. Try to find a fan with quiet rotating blades and a large heatsink.
Acoustic insulation: This is a sound-absorbing foam that can be easily inserted into the equipment and although it is very effective, it can also cause your equipment to get hotter.
Silent rack: If you build your computer yourself, you could use a special rack with a silent power supply, quiet fans, and plenty of ventilation.
Silent power supply: If your computer is very noisy, one of the most likely culprits is the power supply, which is why replacing it with a silent power supply can produce great results. Just make sure the power supply you buy has enough wattage to handle your computer's components.
