Ways to reduce your computer's noise

Tips to reduce your computer's noise.

Is your computer louder than a 1960s muscle car? Do you have to yell to the person on the phone when you are at your computer? How many times have you yelled at your son or daughter to turn that racket down? If you answered yes or more than once to any of the questions then you might have a noisy computer. The noise a loud computer makes shatters the calmness of a quiet office, makes it hard to concentrate, and is just plain annoying. You can reduce the sound of your computer with a few small changes and go from feeling like you are standing on an airport tarmac to sitting in a quiet and calm environment.

The most common cause of a loud computer is the cooling system. Most computers utilize multiple fans to keep the computer running cool. There is generally a small fan covering the processor on the motherboard, a larger exhaust fan on the power supply and sometimes an exhaust fan that helps pull hot air away from the motherboard and internal components. Some computers may have multiple internal fans placed around the motherboard. Some even have fans built into their video cards.

Replacing any or all of these fans with high quality fans will help reduce or eliminate the noise. Generally buzzing sounds or scraping sounds are a sign that one or more of the fans is bent or damaged. Replacing these fans can eliminate these irritating sounds while increasing the cooling capabilities of them. When replacing the power supply fan, it isn't possible to replace just the fan; rather the whole power supply needs to be replaced. The other fans can be bought and replaced easily. Many computer makers and electronics stores offer these fans and offer installation of the parts at a decent price.

If you are considered a power user such as a computer gamer or someone who edits and produces video and audio on your machine you may decide to invest in liquid cooling systems. These systems use an array of tubes that wrap around the inner workings of the computer and pump cooled liquid throughout the system. This constant flow of cooled liquid disperses heat better and often works better than standard fan systems. Of course this comes at a much higher cost and is only recommended for serious computer users that place a lot of demand on their machines.

Another common cause of loud computers may be the fact that the fans are working extra hard to keep the machine cool. The speeds of the fans are determined by the temperature inside the computer. The hotter t is the longer and faster they will run. Keeping the area around your computer free of clutter and making sure all exhaust vents are clear will keep the computer cooler.

Placing your computer in a cool room away from direct sunlight and bright lights will also help reduce the overall temperature in and around the computer. All these fixes will reduce the amount of time the fans are running full speed and thus lead to longer fan life.

If your computer is unusually quiet and running unusually slow, your fans may have burned out. This can cause damage to the computer and even create a fire hazard. If your computer usually makes sounds and you usually can feel air coming out of the back but one day neither is present you'll need to replace the fans before using the computer again.

Noisy fans are often ineffective fans and should be replaced. They are the most common cause of a consistently noisy computer. It is normal to hear increased noises coming from your PC when you have a disk or CD inserted, or when you are opening multiple files which leads to increased hard drive activity. Again any excessive noises or sounds during these activities may indicate a bigger problem and should be investigated promptly. Keeping your computer cool and upgrading to higher quality fans can lead to a far quieter and healthier PC.