Useful Resources and Links Regarding Computer Noise
Valuable information about the acoustic materials we use at Acousti
Products, explaining the different components chosen, barriers and
adhesives and how we meet flammability standards. Click
here for more details.
Quiet
Computing Websites
  Website:
'The Silent PC'
This website contains a wealth of useful and in-depth
background information regarding PC noise, noise & health, international
low-noise standards, various noise-reduction solutions, tips, and
links to other quiet computing related sites. The Silent PC website
was one of the first added to the World Wide Web (back in 1998 in
fact).
 [click
here to visit the website]
 Website:
'Silent PC Review'
Silent PC Review is dedicated to reviews, news
and information about quiet / silent computers and components. This
is a very large review site full of excellent in-depth reviews,
useful links, and also has a well-used user forum. Among other resources,
there are a collection of good articles including: 'Quiet
and Fast?', 'Computer
Noise in the 21st Century' and 'Noise
in Computing: A Primer'.
[click
here to visit the website]
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Articles on PC
Quietness
  Article:
'Computing's Silent Revolution'
A nice overview on the rise in demand for quieter
computers: 'The quest for quiet computing has inspired a cottage
industry of specialist manufacturers, growing attention from major
PC makers and a small underground of acoustic cultists. Will average
consumers pay more to dim the decibels?' [click
here for the full article]
 Article:
'Products available to control PC noise'
A nice overview on a range of noise reduction methods
- covering cases, acoustic lining, CPU fans, water cooling, hard
disks (mounts, heat sinks and enclosures), power supplies, heat
pipes, thermal paste, chassis fans and regulators. [click
here for the full article]
 Article:
'How to tame the noisy, disruptive PCs'
COMPUTERWORLD USA trial calming a noisy PC and
use AcoustiPack™ Deluxe to finish the project. They also build
a PC using the quiet Antec Sonata case with promising results (although
the pre-cut acoustic kit for the Sonata case was not available at
the time). 'Noisy equipment can drive the telecommuter to distraction.
Here are some tips on reducing decibel levels in your home office.'
Article by Todd R. Weiss. [click
here for the full article]
 Article:
'How to Silence A Computer'
A thorough overview of how to build and modify
a computer for quiet operation. Covering Power Supplies, CPU Coolers,
Hard Drives, Case Fans, Cases, Acoustic Absorbent and Dampening
Materials, Accessories for Heat Control and Installation Considerations.
Article by Michael Farnsworth. [click
here for the full article]
 Article:
'High Performance PC Silencing'
A well illustrated PC silencing project by 3DVelocity.
Particularly helpful for overclockers. AcoustiPack™ Deluxe
is used - "but the AcoustiPack™ really holds it [the
noise] in and I have not been held back from overclocking".
Article by Shawn Sparks. [click
here for the full article]
 Article:
'PCs and Acoustic Noise'
HP has written a white paper that briefly explains
noise measurement and the perception of noise from PCs. This article
also touches on noise pollution standards, the reasons why computers
create noise and how this can be reduced. This is a fairly technical
article but it is easy to read.
 [click
here for a PDF version of the full article]
 Article:
'Disc Drive Acoustics'
Seagate's very comprehensive and readable white
paper on hard disc noise touches on many issues, techniques and
aspects of noise not only in hard drives but PCs in general. A must-read
for PC silencers. [click
here for the full article]
 Article:
'Hush, little PC '
"If Apple can make an almost silent iMac,
why can't other computer makers turn off the white noise? The digital
revolution has been anything but quiet."
Article by Robert Bryce, June 16, 2000. [click
here for the full article]
 Article:
WHAT NOT TO DO!
'How To Screw Up Your Brand New $70 Case with only $5
of Spray Foam'
"I got a new ATX case and added a big old
heatsink with two fans to my CPU. Sure was loud. I couldn't sleep
with that racket so I decided to do something about it. I went down
to my friendly Home Depot where I couldn't find anyone, so I wandered
around the 2.5 square mile store looking for something to insulate
my case. Foam, rubber, cardboard, anything! I finally stumbled upon
spray foam. I was thinking like "Sweet! This will be perfect!....
Article by David Craig, December 7, 2000. [click
here for the full article]
 Article:
'Peace, Quiet and Power, Too.'
SmartComputing Magazine USA (February 2004, Vol
15) trial AcoustiPack™ Deluxe soundproofing materials in their
article on reducing PC noise. "The World Health Organization
recommends an ambient noise floor of 35dBs for easily understanding
speech and to avoid irritation with the background noise. You don't
need to take a decibel meter to your PC — if it is too loud,
you're already keenly aware... Insulation may seem like a low-tech
solution, and it is. But it works. You can use sound-dampening material,
such as the stuff they use in recording studios, in and around the
PC to keep noise from spreading. We tried the AcoustiPack Deluxe
kit, which is available from Quiet PC for about $85. That may seem
like a lot of cash for foam, but it can definitely reduce the noise
level."
Article by Kevin Savetz. [click
here for the full article]
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Forums on Quiet
and Silent Computing
  Forum:
'The Silent PC Yahoo Group'
This group is intended for exchanging experiences
and information related to silent personal computers, i.e. computers
that are designed to produce a low level of noise. [click
here to view the forum]
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Building Noise Enquiries - UK
We are finding we have a large number of enquiries from customers
(especially from the UK) who wish to answer questions about building
noise issues (i.e. noisy neighbours, poor building acoustics,
room soundproofing insulation etc.).
Although we are not experts in this area ourselves, we do have
a network of contacts with other companies within UK and the EU
that specialise in building acoustics and noise solutions. In partnership
with other companies, we are happy to provide consultation and specialist
acoustic materials on larger-scale projects. However, we are unable
to provide small-scale solutions (such as single room,
or single house acoustic treatments). The following links may be
of help to those looking for advice and services in this area.
Helpful links for Building & Room Acoustics (Home Theatres,
Music Rooms, HiFi Lounges, Home Video Editing Suites etc):
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