Great system shame about Ford Escort Bucket of bolts n.o.i.s.e!

[FredBjr]

My new system is awesome...

However, the case: CoolerMaster Elite 310 Blue Case + 2 front USB is imho, the issue.
2x640GB WD Caviar Blacks = the bucket of bolts torture.

I reckon is the large case size + thin? metal construction.

Am running XP due to work systems requirements. XP delights in a constant HD access cycle and days of futile work-arounds on that prove no good.
The fan noise - no probs because is a constant hum=just part of the normal 'ambiance' and I used to work in mainframe machine rooms so any pc cooling system is never going to make 'real' noise

So, ok... live with it but my s/w systems [when cranked up] can cause constant sub-second HD I/O hour after hour after... Trying to do brain? work and such is becoming intolerable.

I had old tower system that I'd stuck cardboard on inside + heavy weight on top + sitting on foam. It was still damn loud but the constant HD clunking/bucket of bolts noise was very muted - that's why I suspect the CoolerMaster needs similar mods?

I need some suggestions regards diy soundproofing etc.

btw, I obviously made a mistake in this case (but again, how would I know that this would happen?) - the system has been delivered and I'm over the moon with the Intel i5-2500K chipped ASUS P8P67... and porting all to new case is not warranted I'm sure and anyway, seems to negate having PCS having built it in the first place.

 

[Gorman]

If the noise is vibration from the drive then i can link some hard drive stabalising kits / rubber washers etc which may reduce transfer to the case.

If its the crunching of the arm inside the drives bothering you then it may need to be put into another case or a sound dampening kit fitted.

Replacing the case can be discussed by giving our guys a call on 0844 499 4000

 

[FredBjr]

If the noise is vibration from the drive then i can link some hard drive stabalising kits / rubber washers etc which may reduce transfer to the case.
Good idea. I'll get the machine exposed and take side off to get more detail. I never did this as if I run 1 system I get 'the clunks' and if run a 2nd it then increases a lot more. Isolating HD may do it. Will get back to you
If its the crunching of the arm inside the drives bothering you then it may need to be put into another case or a sound dampening kit fitted.
Again, will investigate - ah... I'll get my broom stick out - is great for listening to car engine (like stethoscope) Duh - never thot of that.

Replacing the case can be discussed by giving our guys a call on 0844 499 4000
This could be of interest - if I'm allowed/PCS can do asap as no pc = no funds into bank...

Thanks for suggestions and I'll get back...

 

[Fear]

@ FredBjr have you had the system long as i know what you are getting at with the sound they make as mine did the same at first but they have both become fairly quiet now that i have been using them a lot.

 

[FredBjr]

@ FredBjr have you had the system long as i know what you are getting at with the sound they make as mine did the same at first but they have both become fairly quiet now that i have been using them a lot.

since 6apr. Additionally, I spend 10/12 hours every day on the system (call me sad or whatever - that is my existence and why I finally needed up to date kit due to the s/w environment now using) I could have easily sourced build components and produced a system. However, my vKind sons were determined to have a financial part in this new system and PCS was what 'they' decided. I of course did the due diligence drill and [in the end] agreed PCS looked the biz... [in retrospect, pity did not consider that the configurator does not understand simple concept of noise abatement]

Thanks for your kind input, it seems you imply that continued use of HDs will somehow cause them to become quieter. I cannot subscribe to that subjective line although I would, in the same vein, agree that continued use dulls the senses and the apparent outcome is one of quieter HDs. Alas, the clunks are just that and when taking place in what is effectively an echo chamber of a case - this acts as an amplifier.

Regards case swop - well then, what may I ask PCS is the point in having purchased in the first place?
I take the stance that their configurator/internal knowledge base should know better and be more observant about what the real world user experiences are. tbh, you'd have to be deaf not to hear this intolerable [and] constant clunking. I actually do not give a damn about HD arm mechanics or case vibrations (and why the heck should I?). What I do care about is silence. As implied before I can readily live with a loud fan etc - that is no issue, but the nearly perfectly and repeated clunking is just not on. IE, I do not just sit and play games with a 1kW sound system shaking the walls. I use the kit as a tool. I also need to design and THINK with a reasonably noise free environment. Also, unlike some hackers/software engineers/whatever, I do not need music to 'help' me practice my craft (and in my case damp out the sound m/c clunking away...)
There ya go... some of us are going to be more fussy than others = that's life, yes?

Putting rubber isolators onto both HDs will not in my general experience cause cessation of the clunks as this is not vibration.

I'm going to strip the case coverings and add my own diy insulation. I will not spend monies on so called 'kits' to [potentially] fix what is actually a bad system build.

PCS should add noise criterion to their test procedures and mod their configurator accordingly.
Users of their service purchase [in the belief] that all angles will be covered - iow, why should anyone need know anything about IT beyond pushing the power btn and using a keyboard?

btw, above is not a case of rotten apples etc. I enjoy the benefits which a modern bit of kit delivers. It is just a simple fact that upon my first power up 'experience' I was immediately struck by the gawd awful racket emanating from the case and time has in no way lessoned this continued and increasingly irritating 'experience'...

 

[Gorman]

since 6apr. Additionally, I spend 10/12 hours every day on the system (call me sad or whatever - that is my existence and why I finally needed up to date kit due to the s/w environment now using) I could have easily sourced build components and produced a system. However, my vKind sons were determined to have a financial part in this new system and PCS was what 'they' decided. I of course did the due diligence drill and [in the end] agreed PCS looked the biz... [in retrospect, pity did not consider that the configurator does not understand simple concept of noise abatement] :

When configuring the system there is a wealth of information availiable when clicking the ? symbol.

There are specific products we offer to those that require a silent PC such as the case choices Sileo500 and Fractal R3 which clearly state silent computing in the description.

All mechanical hard drives make noise, performance drives even more so. For silent PC's an SSD / Sound dampened case or both are usually recommended when we are asked

Thanks for your kind input, it seems you imply that continued use of HDs will somehow cause them to become quieter. I cannot subscribe to that subjective line although I would, in the same vein, agree that continued use dulls the senses and the apparent outcome is one of quieter HDs. Alas, the clunks are just that and when taking place in what is effectively an echo chamber of a case - this acts as an amplifier.

As mechanical drives wear in they can become quiter, this has been noted several times by users with the Black drives.

Regards case swop - well then, what may I ask PCS is the point in having purchased in the first place?
I take the stance that their configurator/internal knowledge base should know better and be more observant about what the real world user experiences are. tbh, you'd have to be deaf not to hear this intolerable [and] constant clunking. I actually do not give a damn about HD arm mechanics or case vibrations (and why the heck should I?). What I do care about is silence. As implied before I can readily live with a loud fan etc - that is no issue, but the nearly perfectly and repeated clunking is just not on. IE, I do not just sit and play games with a 1kW sound system shaking the walls. I use the kit as a tool. I also need to design and THINK with a reasonably noise free environment. Also, unlike some hackers/software engineers/whatever, I do not need music to 'help' me practice my craft (and in my case damp out the sound m/c clunking away...).

The case swap has been mentioned as you are clearly not happy with your choice of case. Our knowledge base accepts the fact that in and amongst the thousands of customers we deal with each year different people are looking for different things with our systems.

As such we offer a wide variety of components and configurations which do allow the build of an almost silent pc.

I'm going to strip the case coverings and add my own diy insulation. I will not spend monies on so called 'kits' to [potentially] fix what is actually a bad system build. :

This is a custom made PC built to order, if you have reason to believe that the noise from the drives is due to the way the machine has been put together please forward any evidence to us directly so that we may deal with it.

PCS should add noise criterion to their test procedures and mod their configurator accordingly.
Users of their service purchase [in the belief] that all angles will be covered - iow, why should anyone need know anything about IT beyond pushing the power btn and using a keyboard?

We try and offer a wide variety of components and choices while keeping it practical and affordable, we have included sound dampening cases / fans / drives in our line up for those that wish to purchase that type of machine.

 

[FredBjr]

@Gorman: Thanks for prompt reply. I now consider this thread closed.