Fractal Define R4 - intake fan noise - experience

[Snake]

Morning,

Recently bought a define r4 and I am look for people with experience with this case or the R3.

It's a superb case but I have one problem with it, the sound when using an intake fan. As this is my first Case with intake fans I'm not sure if this is normal or I am doing something wrong but this is what's happening:

The fans I use are quiet, but as soon as I move them behind the honeycomb grill the sound gets allot worse it's almost a vibration sound (it isn't due to vibration because I am just holding the fan slightly behind grill not against it) so the sound is begin generated from air being pulled through the honeycomb grill into the fan.

FYI:
I've used the fractal define R4 fans that come with the case and the corsair FA120 quiet edition.

 

[Ru5ty_t00l]

As this is my first Case with intake fans

hello,
what do you mean by this?

 

[Snake]

I've never used intake case fans before with a computercase - meaning that I might be normal for a fan to make more noise when it pulls are through a grill. But I'm not sure about that

 

[Ru5ty_t00l]

the fans making the noise r positioned in the front of the case?
what happens if u open the front "door"? does the noise get lower?

 

[Snake]

Thanks for the replies.
The fans at the front are doing just fine, they are almost inaudible (corsair sp120 quiet).

I have a fan in my side panel used for intake, this is the one making noticeably more noise. (even when I just hold it slightly behind the grill not against it)

Note: When I turn around my outtake top case fans, so they also pull air into the case it generates the same noise as from the side panel

(starting to think the sound being generated is normal)

 

[Ru5ty_t00l]

have in mind that there should be some balance between amounts of air in and air out (preferably more air in than out).
if the noise is too much u can always mod the side panel a little and have a more silent case and better air-flow of course.

 

[Snake]

Guess I'll have to mod the honeycomb grill somehow. Just found a website about the sound of different grill types:
http://www.pugetsystems.com/labs/articles/Effects-of-Grill-Patterns-on-Fan-Performance-Noise-107

 

[jamesriley94]

This does sound like turbulence with the air being forced through the mesh. You may find it helps with some form of shroud or spacer:
http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Comp...m+thickness)+?productId=50240&source=googleps

If not - cut the grill out if you really want to.

Can I ask for a picture of the inside of your case btw? You may not even need a fan there tbh

 

[Snake]

Thanks for the input, here is a picture of the inside of my case:

 

[Calibretto]

May I ask what type of fan it is? Both the make and the size.

The inside of your case looks fine imo, I'd prolly find another CPU cooler, but if that's not bothering you then who am I to moralize?

You ever had that front hard drive cage out? Not that I think it will help your current problem. Just asking.

 

[Snake]

The fan you see is a Corsair FA140 quiet edition (also using one for the side panel)

The upper hdd cage is removed - so the front intake fans have a more direct flow on the gfx card. (using Corsair SP120 quiet editions there)

I might change the cpu cooler and cpu itself in the near future when I upgrade the rest of the hardware - it's a bit loud in the new case compared to the case fans etc (the old case had allot of noise/rattle so never noticed the cpu cooler ^^)

 

[Calibretto]

So the fan you're having trouble with making noise is one of those 140mm Corsairs?

Then I'm almost certain Riley hit it on the button when he said it's just turbulence. Your problem sounds like a "too" well constructed fan. The fan itself makes no noise, but moves so much air you can hear the woosh of that.

Before you go out and mod your case and pay for extra grills and whatnot, I'd personally try to undervolt the fan. Se what it sounds like at say 9 or 7 volts.

Finally I'd recommend the pressure optimized Corsair fans for intake.

 

[jamesriley94]

The graphics cards intake from the front, so you needn't bother with a side fan IMO. With 2 good strong fans in the front, such a Scythe GTs or Silverstone APs - it should work fine without the side fan.

@Calibretto - I said turbulence

If you undervolt the fan - you should have got a fan speed reducer in the box?

 

[Calibretto]

The graphics cards intake from the front, so you needn't bother with a side fan IMO.

I hear that

@Calibretto - I said turbulence

Sorry guy. Attention span you know

 

[Snake]

Using a spare cheap fan with an "onboard" fan controller at its lowest setting - and there is no more vibration sound caused by the turbulence :-D

already using 2x corsair SP120 for front intake but thanks for the advice!

 

[jamesriley94]

Is it an Antec by any chance?

 

[Snake]

The fan yeh? Something like this ^^ http://www.antec.com/product.php?id=1249&pid=142

 

[jamesriley94]

Link is broken mate.

I know what you mean though. Did you not get a voltage reducer with the Corsair fans though? You should have done?

 

[Snake]

The corsair fans come with a voltage reducer, but they still spin too hard to be quiet at the side panel

 

[jamesriley94]

I'm guessing you bought the Performance editions? Not the quiet editions?