Thermo-Electric Cooling

[SonicVanguard]

Well I've been told by the wife that my computer must learn to be quiet when she's in the office working. Seeing that I do not have the time or energy to look into a water-cooling system, I found this (http://www.thermaltake.com/products/subzero/subzero4g.htm) from Thermaltake. Anyone have an opinion on it or even use it?

TIA.

[David14259]

It may cool your processor off more, but I doubt it'll reduce noise.

Is your processor heatsink/fan causing the noise? Or is it the other fans in the case.

If it is the case fans, I suggest getting some Vantec Stealth fans, they are very quite.

http://www.xoxide.com/80vanstealfa.html

[morriswindgate]

Get a Speeze FalconRock HSF. You cannot hear it when it is running inside the case. You can also add sound insulation to the case sides. And if you have more than one case fan, unplug the others and leave the back one running.

[sleepypost]

Insulation causes more heat. I read good reviews on that device (the thermo electric thing).

[Cricket]

Originally posted by sleepypost
Insulation causes more heat.Insulation by itself doesn't "cause" more heat...it traps heat within the case and if your case cooling is inadequate, the heat will build up and could cause problems. But if your case cooling is up to snuff, it shouldn't make any difference.

Sound insulation is good if your drives and CPU heatsink fan are noisy, but if it's the case fans or power supply fan making all the noise, it won't help.

:) Cricket

[glc]

The review I read on that cooler was NOT too good.

[mattg2k4]

I think that it's best to use watercooling for systems with TECs, the TEC cooler will put out a very significant amount of heat, plus the processor is still putting out a lot of heat itself.

You could build a much better watercooling and TEC system by purhcasing fairly standard waterblocks, radiators, pumps, tubing, fans, TEC, and coldplate. Granted it will be more difficult to set up, but it would be much better.

Or if you don't want watercooling, and just want an aircooled TEC, you can buy a TEC, coldplate, good heatsink and fan, and a manual fan controller for less than the $130 that setup runs. the only difference is it's slightly more difficult to set up and isn't automatically controlled.

[SonicVanguard]

Well after reading the replys here and around the web, I think I'll dive deeper into quiet cooling. Not that I think this is a bad solution - I've chatted with two people that use this system and find it very quiet and capable.

Thank you everyone.