I've got a machine with an OEM-provided power supply (haven't checked in the case yet to determine the brand of the PS, exactly). This sucker is LOUD. I'm wondering if folks have any thoughts on quiet power supplies?

It's been many years since I built a PC from scratch, so I'm a bit rusty on what I probably ought to be asking for. Suggestions are welcome.

10/27/2008 9:50:17 PM

basically just stay away from the cheap ones with 80mm fans, look for PSU's with 120mm fans and/or adjustable fan speeds. also the better efficiency (and activePFC) PSU's are generally cooler than lower efficiency PSU's.

10/27/2008 10:02:30 PM

120mm ftw

poke around newegg and read reviews

10/27/2008 10:41:38 PM

Look up computer parts made by Zalman. They specialize in making quiet parts.

10/27/2008 11:16:42 PM

My Antec Neo 500W is silent. I have never noticed the fan being on. With most good power supplies, you should never hear the psu fan. I think that any new PSU should solve your problem.

10/28/2008 8:57:47 AM

i concur, even the Antec Earthwatts with 80mm fans are quiet.

10/28/2008 10:34:59 AM

size does matter. Larger size = more cfm at lower rpm. Lower rpm = quieter fan.

Generally speaking...

[Edited on October 28, 2008 at 12:43 PM. Reason : .]

10/28/2008 12:43:03 PM

yes, it's quieter, but we are not debating that, we are debating what's "quiet", and i guarantee you, that the earthwatts is indeed quiet. not as quiet as my enermax w/ 120mm fan, but both are nearly silent, both are well under 30db, another good thing though about 120mm fans is that they last a lot longer since they are doing less rpm's

[Edited on October 28, 2008 at 12:56 PM. Reason : .]

10/28/2008 12:54:42 PM

are you 100% sure it's the power supply being loud and not another fan?

10/28/2008 1:11:43 PM

My plan is ultimately to replace both that one, and one that's helping to cool the proc. The PSU's going to be easier to replace, so I wanted to start with that. But yes, it's generating most of the noise.

10/28/2008 5:25:43 PM

PC Power & Cooling Silencer

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703018

10/28/2008 6:29:02 PM

I wouldn't bet on the power supply necessarily being easier. It's quite a few wires depending on the setup and some screws whereas the heat sink is usually just a lever or two, thermal paste and one wire.

Neither are hard, obviously.. I'd personally just do them all at once

[Edited on October 28, 2008 at 7:12 PM. Reason : i spell good]

10/28/2008 7:11:41 PM

yeah i know, i just don't feel like doing the work with a heatsink right now.

10/28/2008 8:15:37 PM