Side Fan Noise and Video Card Noise

[Stuttgart 911]

What ever side fan I use (Vantec Stealth, or default fan that came with the case), It is always the loudest. It makes a slight whining noise and It is really annoying. I'd like to have it in so It blows onto the CPU and GPU.

Also, video card is much louder than the other fans (except the side fan). I can't change the fan without voiding my warranty, so am I stuck with this annoyingly loud computer? I can imagine what a Vantec Tornado must be like...

[Alaron]

Try adding some rubber O-rings to all the screws on your fans. If the fan is vibrating against the case, it could be causing some of the noise. The O-rings should help cut down on that noise.

Video card fans tend to whine a bit more then case fans because they are small and spin quickly. Aside from buying a new cooler and voiding your warranty, do a check for dust. It could be clogging the vid card fan.

Also, if your system is too loud for your liking, try removing some of those fans. I know they are stealths but with 5 fans total, noise adds up. For proper cooling, one intake and exhaust should be adequate.

[Stuttgart 911]

Well, it was just as loud as having only 2 fans + 1 extra PSU fan...

[Cricket]

I agree with Alaron56 about the side fan...it's vibrating and causing the flat metal of the door to vibrate too, which is only making the noise worse. I'd remove the fan and block the fan opening.

Cricket

[Hi Ho]

Another idea is to connect the fan to a fan controller and slow it down. Either that or use fans with a built in speed control. However, I do agree with Cricket and think you should remove the side fan. I have one intake and one exhaust, a silent Speeze CPU cooler, and the power supply and video card fans are inaudible. My PC is quiet and cool. I think many people go a bit overboard on fans. 7 fans? Completely unessacary.