A Guide To Silent Computer Cooling

1. Proper computer cooling begins with choosing an adequate heatsink. See our Silent CPU Comparison Chart for quiet CPU cooler and fan recommendations.

2. An important component of superior computer cooling is the use of high quality thermal compound when attaching heatsinks. For improved cpu cooling and performance, we recommend Arctic Silver 5, which alone can drop your CPU temperature from 3-12 degrees Celsius when switching from standard thermal compound.

3. If your PC is pushing the heat threshold, use a rear exhaust case fan. We recommend an exhaust fan because airflow that is produced from an exhaust fan is much greater than that which is produced by an intake fan, and can also be noticeably quieter. Because heat rises and because the power supply, CPU, and northbridge chipset produce so much heat (all centrally located by the rear exhaust fan), it is recommended that the exhaust fan be placed in the rear, just below the power supply. This improves computer airflow around these essential components (PSU, CPU, and northbridge chipset).

As you can see from the computer cooling diagram to the right, the idea behind a rear exhaust case fan is the creation of a "wind tunnel" in your computer just over the CPU and northbridge chipset. We recommend the quietest case fan available, the Papst 8412ngl for use with quiet computers. It is not only the absolute quietest case fan available at only 12 decibels, but it is also among the best in terms of airflow produced by a quiet case fan.

Our favorite quiet power supply, the NX-3500 further helps to create this "wind tunnel". This is because the NX-3500 includes a 120-mm quiet power supply fan located on the bottom of the power supply, pulling air out of your case up through the power supply and out the back. The NX-3500 also provides plenty of power, stays cool, and is truly silent.

4. One very important key to proper computer cooling is making sure all wires and cables are routed and bunched as to not block airflow. Use cable ties and the like to bunch cables out of the path of the airflow "wind tunnel". For IDE and Floppy Cables, we recommend Rounded Cables since they not only look cool, but are easier to move and bunch out of the way of your case's airflow.

5. Try and leave slots near intense heat producing cards (for instance video cards) open for better airflow around the card, and therefore improved cooling of that computer component.

6. Try and leave a bay next to your 7,200 or 10,000 rpm hard drive open to allow for better airflow and better cooling around these heat producing components. If you are using two hard drives or an extra 3 1/2" peripheral, then you may want to purchase a 5 1/4" to 3 1/2" drive bay converter so that one hard drive or peripheral can be separated into one of your large drive bays in order to stay cooler.

7. Front case fans not only add to your computer's noise level, but are generally not necessary since they do not significantly improve computer cooling. In fact, according to AMD's Guide To Cooling, some tests have shown that front cooling fans are actually more likely to re-circulate warm air rather than introduce cool air.

8. Keeping your computer free of dust contributes to computer cooling. Dust causes computer components to hold in their heat, thereby contributing to their wear and even causing them to overheat (and therefore die). You can start by keeping your computer in as clean an area as possible. If your computer has dust in it, use a can of compressed air to clean out all fans and the inside of your computer. Make sure not to tip the can of compressed air upside down, as this will cause the can to spray out a frozen liquid that can damage your computer. Keep in mind that canned air is all that should be used to rid your computer of the unsightly dust which is heating up your computer. Water and solvents can damage components, and a vacuum should NEVER be used on your computer unless it is a specialized computer vacuum. Normal vacuums have huge static electricity build-ups and can instantly kill various computer parts.

9. Air filters over the case front/rear airflow vents can slow down airflow into and out of your case, thus reducing computer cooling. On the other hand, the use of dust filters may help you keep your computer clean and therefore reduce overheating, especially in a dusty environment.