INTERACT FORUM

More => Old Versions => Media Center 11 (Development Ended) => Topic started by: The Muffin Man on September 03, 2003, 04:11:58 pm

Title: OT: New Big Honkin' machine and lots of fan noise
Post by: The Muffin Man on September 03, 2003, 04:11:58 pm
Hi guys...
Just curious... I just got a new PC (Dell 4600c), 3.06 ghz with hyper-threading, 512 mb ram, and 120gb HD.  I've noticed that when I show visualizations (usually full screen) something kicks in and I get _alot_ of fan noise (or maybe hd spin noise).  I don't get this if I don't show visualizations.
Just wondering what's going on.

Thanks.
Title: Re: OT: New Big Honkin' machine and lost of fan no
Post by: LonWar on September 03, 2003, 04:28:10 pm
What video card do you have?

SOme cards are really noisy when the fan starts
Title: Re: OT: New Big Honkin' machine and lost of fan no
Post by: The Muffin Man on September 03, 2003, 04:31:31 pm
It's the built in one from Intel.
Intel 82865G
Looking at the spec on Dell's site, it's 64mb?
Title: Re: OT: New Big Honkin' machine and lost of fan no
Post by: KingSparta on September 03, 2003, 04:31:47 pm
i would take it apart and look at the video card fan, something maybe touching it (like a wire) or it maybe warped
Title: Re: OT: New Big Honkin' machine and lots of fan no
Post by: The Muffin Man on September 03, 2003, 04:39:48 pm
OK...
I took it apart and didn't see anything.  Let me clarify "lots of noise".  There's no grinding, etc, just smooth fan sounds, but sounds like really high rpms.
Title: Re: OT: New Big Honkin' machine and lots of fan no
Post by: LonWar on September 03, 2003, 04:56:15 pm
Call Dell Tech,

Probably better then messing with a new comp.
Title: Re: OT: New Big Honkin' machine and lots of fan no
Post by: The Muffin Man on September 03, 2003, 05:07:14 pm
BTW... this ocurrs with Windows Media Player when displaying visualizations, too.
Title: Re: OT: New Big Honkin' machine and lots of fan no
Post by: LonWar on September 03, 2003, 05:24:43 pm
It sounds like a Bios problem. The fan turns on to high when any visuals are displayed.

Have you tried playing a game? One with fairly high graphics.. If it makes noise for that then chexj intels website for a bios flash or firmware update,
Title: Re: OT: New Big Honkin' machine and lots of fan no
Post by: MGD_King on September 03, 2003, 05:53:51 pm
Quote
Hi guys...
Just curious... I just got a new PC (Dell 4600c), 3.06 ghz with hyper-threading, 512 mb ram, and 120gb HD.  I've noticed that when I show visualizations (usually full screen) something kicks in and I get _alot_ of fan noise (or maybe hd spin noise).  I don't get this if I don't show visualizations.
Just wondering what's going on.

Thanks.


It sounds to me that the CPU fan adjusts the speed according to the heat tha the CPU puts out. I have a ThermalTake Volcano 9 that does this. I know that visualizations really task the heck out of your CPU. So, on short, I would say that it's normal.

And don't worry about the fan noise, just crank the tunes! 8)
Title: Re: OT: New Big Honkin' machine and lots of fan no
Post by: nila on September 04, 2003, 12:27:00 am
Go to a specialist computer seller - buy some new fans - check the Db rating for the fans when you buy them and deliberately chose quiet ones - I did this and it REALLY shut up my machine.

Also, take out your CPU fan and replace it with water cooling - this used to be really expensive but has now dropped to around £50 I think it was which isn't too bad.


Check out these links:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/Water_Cooling.html
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Coolermaster_122.html#ahs_2d006_2dcm
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/Vantec.html
Title: Re: OT: New Big Honkin' machine and lots of fan no
Post by: The Muffin Man on September 10, 2003, 07:15:00 am
I contacted Dell, they said it's normal.  Guess the 3.1mhz chip really puts out some heat;)
Title: Re: OT: New Big Honkin' machine and lots of fan no
Post by: gkerber on September 10, 2003, 07:41:55 am
Quote
Go to a specialist computer seller - buy some new fans - check the Db rating for the fans when you buy them and deliberately chose quiet ones - I did this and it REALLY shut up my machine.

I've tried to buy low noise fans, I couldn't tell any difference....

What about your power supply?  That is a major noise maker for me.  Again, I've tried so called low noise power supplies, and could not tell a difference.

Sometimes I get used to the noise, and then other times people keep talking about noisy computers and then mine starts to annoy me again....

I am using the processor fan that was on the boxed Intel processor I bought (intel fan).

Are you using water cooling?  Sounds good, but it does not seem to cool the power supply.

Title: Re: OT: New Big Honkin' machine and lots of fan no
Post by: Matt on September 10, 2003, 07:52:53 am
Good fans and heatsinks make a world of difference.  Maybe you got unlucky with your purchases.

Here's a good site: http://www.silentpcreview.com/
Title: Re: OT: New Big Honkin' machine and lots of fan no
Post by: Bartabedian on September 10, 2003, 08:31:14 am
Matt's right, I had the same problem with my 3gig, noise beyond belief...

...Then I hooked it up with the Zalman CNPS7000A-AlCu CPU fan and an Antec True Power PS, and even with the case fan it's very quiet (around 30db). Even during times of stress (DVD encoding, 3D visuals, etc) it's nice and quiet, and it stays relatively cool.

One word of caution, the Zalman CPU fans don't like all motherboards, check their list to make sure you can fit it in first.

WP
Title: Re: OT: New Big Honkin' machine and lots of fan no
Post by: KingSparta on September 10, 2003, 08:39:43 am
Quote
I contacted Dell, they said it's normal.  Guess the 3.1mhz chip really puts out some heat;)


I have a 3.06 Ghz chip and it does not make noise.

We have 10 or so dell computers at work I don't like any of them, and was one of the reason i have never bought one.

I am sure others may have butter luck with dell

as a side note Orkin Bought a New IBM I Series Model 870 Server. It Takes Up A Nice Size Of A Big Room. I Am sure that makes some noise.
Title: Re: OT: New Big Honkin' machine and lots of fan no
Post by: zevele10 on September 10, 2003, 09:47:36 am
I did the small mistake to buy an Athlon when living in a hot country.
As a result i have SIX fans and one heat extrator now.

No matter cheap or good ones  , at this stage ,i have a lot of noise.
But having on the top of it a regular fan on the floor sending air to the moden ,Extigy soundcard and all adaptators power supply plugs, i'am not sure what is the most noisy....

Now ,you can understand why i play my music LOUD.

PS: look like that cropper base fans make less noise.
Title: Re: OT: New Big Honkin' machine and lots of fan no
Post by: Soundman on September 10, 2003, 12:34:17 pm
Hi.

My 2.4GHz system roars, too, but it is due to the three 7200rpm hard disks and the cooling fans for the drives (I once ruined a drive by letting it get too hot).   I wish I could cheaply silence it.

My other 2.5GHz system from Dell is so silent I cannot tell it is on unless I get my ear within one meter of it.  Go figure?  I am surprised to see that much difference between Dell's 2.5 vs 3.06 GHz machines in terms of cooling noise.

Soundman
Title: Re: OT: New Big Honkin' machine and lots of fan no
Post by: AndyCircuit on September 10, 2003, 01:14:13 pm
Quote
Are you using water cooling?  Sounds good, but it does not seem to cool the power supply

If I remember well water and electronics are enemies. Water always wins!  ;D
watercooling is more for overclocker than to silenceing and far too expensive. Also you may have a fan at the radiator, except you are able to route the hot water through your fridge.
AC
Title: Re: OT: New Big Honkin' machine and lots of fan no
Post by: KingSparta on September 10, 2003, 01:18:47 pm
I worked on a water cooled computer back in the 60's

the tubs were 7 foot tall and had water running thru them to cool them down. The cooling tower was about 2 blocks away and took up 1\2 of a football field.

The 5 Meg hard drives took up about 20 cubic Feet of space
Title: Re: OT: New Big Honkin' machine and lots of fan no
Post by: AndyCircuit on September 10, 2003, 01:35:49 pm
If you put some flourecsent ink into the cooling water and light this with some colored lights this machine gives a real cool jukebox.
On the other hand, a 5MB Hd is just one lousy song.  :)