PC Users Bible

Most computers are relatively quiet, but there's usually plenty of room for improvement. Several noisy computers in the same room can become loud enough to break your concentration and add to your stress level.

If you're building a computer from scratch, you can choose a case, fans, and other components that are designed for minimal noise and vibration. If you're working with an existing system, many of the same techniques can make your work environment a lot more pleasant. Search the Internet using the keywords "quiet computer" for specific products and techniques.

The main sources of computer noise are

• Fans in the power supply, and the case: A computer with an exhaust fan in the back of the case is quieter than one with an input fan in the front. If the case fans make a lot of noise, replace them with quieter versions that are the same size and operate at the same speed. If you can find them, install fans that use magnetic levitation (made by SilenX and Sunon) instead of ball bearings.

• Blowers mounted on heat sinks on the CPU and the graphics controller card: Look for a "silent" CPU cooling fan and a graphics card with a passive heat sink or replace the original noisy fan with a low-noise cooler (such as the ones made by Zalman and Thermaltake).

• Vibration transmitted from the power supply fan to the case: Add silicon grommets between the power supply and its mounting rails.

• Vibration transmitted from hard disks through the rigid portions of the case: Use rubber grommets to mount the drives and physically isolate them from the case. Place insulating foam along the sides of the case to further reduce vibration and noise, but don't block any of the air holes or vents.