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Toaster · 01-17-2001, 10:51 PM

I work in a very noisey manufacturing plant. When I want to use my system, I DO NOT want it to mimic the noise I endure day to day. I tend to push hardware well beyond norms and cooling is critical. In most cases, I match up fans/heatsinks to offer great cooling at low noise levels.
The problem is that there may be standards in the amount of noise generated by any given device but how these values are arrived at is another story. While many use the DBA
(decibles, "a" whighted) they most times dont give other details such as at what distance from the device they obtained their acoustical output.
Ones system needn`t be loud to assure good cooling. Using the "whole case cooling approach" is instrumental in getting optimum cooling at reduced noise levels.
The bottom line?
Well, unfortunately, you will have to rely on manufacturer specs and reviews which can be misleading.
Rule of thumb here applies:
The inlet area must be at least as large as ALL outlet fans COMBINED. IE: 2 4 inch exaust fans, 8 inches of intake area.

01-17-2001, 10:51 PM	#4
Toaster Member (13 bit) Join Date: Apr 1999 Location: Now in Phoenix, AZ. Where next? Only 8 states left to see. Posts: 4,661	I work in a very noisey manufacturing plant. When I want to use my system, I DO NOT want it to mimic the noise I endure day to day. I tend to push hardware well beyond norms and cooling is critical. In most cases, I match up fans/heatsinks to offer great cooling at low noise levels. The problem is that there may be standards in the amount of noise generated by any given device but how these values are arrived at is another story. While many use the DBA (decibles, "a" whighted) they most times dont give other details such as at what distance from the device they obtained their acoustical output. Ones system needn`t be loud to assure good cooling. Using the "whole case cooling approach" is instrumental in getting optimum cooling at reduced noise levels. The bottom line? Well, unfortunately, you will have to rely on manufacturer specs and reviews which can be misleading. Rule of thumb here applies: The inlet area must be at least as large as ALL outlet fans COMBINED. IE: 2 4 inch exaust fans, 8 inches of intake area. __________________ 2 goldfish were discussing Mythology. The discussion ended when a goldfish replied: "There MUST be a God, who changes the water?"