Monitor Suggestions?

Peijen · Post by **Peijen** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 4:11 pm

Dwindlehop wrote:I should open up my computer and see what the hell is so loud in there. Because it's really bloody loud.

Computer gnome

VLSmooth · Post by **VLSmooth** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 4:46 pm

Thanks for the heads up Joe.

As for the sound, the key things to check imho are:

Hard Drives

These are easily the loudest part of my main computer. The WD1200JB isn't particularly quiet. Four of them doesn't help either, even with rubber grommets it seems.

Unless you're planning on buying new hard drives, the only easy solution is to use rubber grommets to absorb vibration. Additional padding is an optional, but I prefer not to increase the heat of my hard drives.
CPU Fan

I use a ThermalRight SLK (forgot the model number) with an 80 (might be 92) mm fan that's super quiet.

If you're looking to replace your HSF, I highly recommend ThermalRight. They may be a bit pricey, but their HSFs are incredible. Their current flagship is the XP-120 I think.
Power Supply

Luckily, my Sonata's power supply is also very quiet.

I'm sure you know of plenty of quiet power supplies. Of course, most 120 mm fan PSUs are quiet, making the decisino pretty much a no-brainer.
Video Card Fan

Surprisingly (?) my Radeon 9500 soft-modded to a 9700 is quite quiet. Still the second loudest device in my box, although the hard drives soundly trounce it.

This is a tough one to fix, unless you want to replace your stock video card cooler.
Miscellanous Fan(s)

I have a low rpm 120 mm exhaust fan. As you can guess, this is also extremely quiet.

If exhaust/intake fans are a problem, panaflos with grommets should lower noise significantly.

Post by **Jonathan** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 5:03 pm

VLSmooth wrote:Thanks for the heads up Joe.

As for the sound, the key things to check imho are:
Hard Drives

CPU Fan

Power Supply

Video Card Fan

Miscellanous Fan(s)

I bought a 92mm HSF, I think. Yep, a 92mm Panoflo. I also bought the Sonoma's PS, though I didn't get the case. I have one HD that was supposed to be reasonably quiet. I can double check that, though. I also have the 6800 and a couple of case fans. And the computer gnome, but he's mostly nocturnal.

quantus · Post by **quantus** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 7:44 pm

I thought UPS was the only place that has computer gnomes... You know, the ones that go around unlatching CPUs and heatsinks during shipping.

Peijen · Post by **Peijen** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 8:00 pm

You are thinking of the UPS gnomes that messes with the computers, not exactly the same thing.

VLSmooth · Post by **VLSmooth** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 8:15 pm

My UPS gnomes only detached sticks of ram and dented my computer cases!

quantus · Post by **quantus** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 12:54 am

Peijen wrote:You are thinking of the UPS gnomes that mess with computers, not exactly the same thing.

Oh, ok. Keep those gnomes away from my computers please!

Post by **Jonathan** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 5:54 pm

http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.aspx?i=1974&p=1

I just got a SyncMaster 213T at work. It's pretty nice. They're still expensive, I guess.

Hopefully my CRT will hold on until 16"x12" and larger displays are a decent price.

Jason · Post by **Jason** » Tue Jun 28, 2005 1:23 am

Dwindlehop wrote:Hopefully my CRT will hold on until 16"x12" and larger displays are a decent price.

My old Viewsonic died two months ago. I still haven't replaced it.

Interesting indicator of how much I use my desktop system anymore ...

quantus · Post by **quantus** » Wed Jul 06, 2005 5:24 pm

Techbargains wrote:Dimension 9100 P4 630 3Ghz 512MB/40GB 24in 2405FPW Widescreen LCD $1199 after rebate. Exp 7/6 - Screen costs about $900 itself

Just thought I'd point this out... not sure if anyone wants another computer too.

quantus · Post by **quantus** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 9:24 pm

http://www.techbargains.com/news_displayItem.cfm/47667

The Samsung 915N for $265