New PC - fans are a bit loud?

[blackfish]

Received new PC today. It's brilliant except I can hear the fans spinning quite audibly.

It's not awfully loud, but I did expect it to run quieter to be honest, especially with no processes running. I have swapped out the mesh panel on the top for the solid one which helped a tiny bit. It's raised off the floor with good airflow too.

I believe the noise is mainly coming from the fan at the back of the case.

Any ideas how I might reduce this? Thanks

Specs are:

Case
FRACTAL DEFINE 7 BLACK QUIET MID-TOWER CASE
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X Eight Core CPU
Motherboard
ASUS® TUF X570-PLUS GAMING (USB 3.2 Gen 2, PCIe 4.0, CrossFireX) - ARGB Ready!
Memory (RAM)
32GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 3200MHz (2 x 16GB)
Graphics Card
6GB AMD RADEON™ RX 5600 XT - HDMI, DP, DX® 12
1st Storage Drive
2TB SEAGATE BARRACUDA SATA-III 3.5" HDD, 6GB/s, 7200RPM, 256MB CACHE
1st M.2 SSD Drive
500GB SAMSUNG 980 PRO M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 6900MB/R, 5000MB/W)
2nd M.2 SSD Drive
1TB SAMSUNG 970 EVO PLUS M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 3500MB/R, 3300MB/W)
Power Supply
CORSAIR 750W RMx SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
Corsair H115i RGB PLATINUM Hydro Series High Performance CPU Cooler
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Wireless/Wired Networking
WIRELESS INTEL® Wi-Fi 6 AX200 2,400Mbps/5GHz, 300Mbps/2.4GHz PCI-E CARD + BT 5.0
USB/Thunderbolt Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Operating System
Windows 10 Professional 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence

Here's a picture of the BIOS settings and HWInfo if that's of any use...

 

[blackfish]

 

[blackfish]

In QFan Control the fans are all set to PWM and 'Standard' as well - see picture

Many thanks

 

[SpyderTracks]

In QFan Control the fans are all set to PWM and 'Standard' as well - see picture

Many thanks

You'll need to install iCue from here:

iCUE Software | Drivers | Software | CORSAIR

CORSAIR iCUE software connects all your compatible products together in a single interface. Control RGB lighting and fan speeds, program keyboard macros, and monitor system temperature.

www.corsair.com

That will control the cooler fans, just double check they're set to a sensible setting, they may be able to be reduced a bit to normal setting.

The rear fan should be almost silent. Check which header it's plugged into on the motherboard, or if it's not plugged in on the board but instead onto the PSU connector, then that's the issue, should be on the board.

If it is on the board, which header is it in? Should be in one of the CHA_FAN outputs.

 

[blackfish]

You'll need to install iCue from here:

iCUE Software | Drivers | Software | CORSAIR

CORSAIR iCUE software connects all your compatible products together in a single interface. Control RGB lighting and fan speeds, program keyboard macros, and monitor system temperature.

www.corsair.com

That will control the cooler fans, just double check they're set to a sensible setting, they may be able to be reduced a bit to normal setting.

The rear fan should be almost silent. Check which header it's plugged into on the motherboard, or if it's not plugged in on the board but instead onto the PSU connector, then that's the issue, should be on the board.

If it is on the board, which header is it in? Should be in one of the CHA_FAN outputs.

Hi Spyder, thanks for reply.

I have iCue installed. Screenshot attached of the current settings.

I've attached a photo showing inside the case. Think the rear fan is the cable with the yellow arrow but I don't know where it's connected. Hoping someone can tell me if something is wrong or not? Let me know if you need more pictures. Many thanks!

 

[SpyderTracks]

Hi Spyder, thanks for reply.

I have iCue installed. Screenshot attached of the current settings.

I've attached a photo showing inside the case. Think the rear fan is the cable with the yellow arrow but I don't know where it's connected. Hoping someone can tell me if something is wrong or not? Let me know if you need more pictures. Many thanks!

Cool, so that tells us the CPU pump and fans are fine, they're looking good and healthy and nice low RPM which they should be.

IF that cable is indeed the rear fan, that should be plugged into the ports on the left top of that image where the other two case fans are plugged in.

What I'm guessing is that rear fan, if that's definitely the one that's making too much noise, it's likely because it's spinning too fast. If it's not in the right header, it will likely be spinning at full speed which we don't want. Double check the run of it, make sure you've got the right one, and it should be plugged in where the other two are in the exposed bit at the top.

 

[SpyderTracks]

Adding image to show you where I meant

 

[blackfish]

Cool, so that tells us the CPU pump and fans are fine, they're looking good and healthy and nice low RPM which they should be.

IF that cable is indeed the rear fan, that should be plugged into the ports on the left top of that image where the other two case fans are plugged in.

What I'm guessing is that rear fan, if that's definitely the one that's making too much noise, it's likely because it's spinning too fast. If it's not in the right header, it will likely be spinning at full speed which we don't want. Double check the run of it, make sure you've got the right one, and it should be plugged in where the other two are in the exposed bit at the top.

Thanks very much. I've traced it as best I can but it's zip tied in very tight so not 100% certain. I've added an image of where I think it's going. I also found another thread from the forum with the same case:

Loud case fans on Fractal Define 7

Got my new build today. Spec below. Very pleased overall, but I have a problem. I went for the Fractal Define 7 case because I wanted a quiet machine. But the PC is running pretty loud :-( As far as I can tell the case fans (two front, one rear) are running fast, and creating significant noise...

www.pcspecialist.co.uk

Just want to make sure before I cut the zip tie and make sure I won't ruin anything by changing the connection

 

[SpyderTracks]

Thanks very much. I've traced it as best I can but it's zip tied in very tight so not 100% certain. I've added an image of where I think it's going. I also found another thread from the forum with the same case:

Loud case fans on Fractal Define 7

Got my new build today. Spec below. Very pleased overall, but I have a problem. I went for the Fractal Define 7 case because I wanted a quiet machine. But the PC is running pretty loud :-( As far as I can tell the case fans (two front, one rear) are running fast, and creating significant noise...

www.pcspecialist.co.uk

Just want to make sure before I cut the zip tie and make sure I won't ruin anything by changing the connection

Yes, so all the case fans should be plugged in where the other 2 are where I highlighted previously.

I think that header you're referencing is in fact the CPU_FAN header from the motherboard. If it is in fact the rear fan, then it's going to entirely the wrong place, needs to be where the others are.

Did you receive any spare cable ties in the welcom pack? I know it's a pain, but I would cut that cable tie and then you can check the routing better.

 

[blackfish]

Yes, so all the case fans should be plugged in where the other 2 are where I highlighted previously.

I think that header you're referencing is in fact the CPU_FAN header from the motherboard. If it is in fact the rear fan, then it's going to entirely the wrong place, needs to be where the others are.

Did you receive any spare cable ties in the welcom pack? I know it's a pain, but I would cut that cable tie and then you can check the routing better.

Sorry for delay. I have changed the connection to the other side as you instructed. So it's 3 on the left and 2 on the right now. Happy to report it's SIGNIFICANTLY quieter now. I think it's fixed! It was the rear fan that was the problem. I guess it was running at max speed.

My only questions is should the case fans be set to DC in the BIOS? As I mentioned they are all set to PWM at the moment.

As a side note, Spyder .. You're an absolute legend for helping me at 10pm on a Friday night. If PCSpecialist are reading this you should be extremely appreciative of people like Spyer who give free advice and help customers on your forums. Pretty much the main reason I purchased a PC from PCSpecialist was because I was able to get help with build advice / support quickly and helpfully via these forums. Thanks again.

 

[SpyderTracks]

Sorry for delay. I have changed the connection to the other side as you instructed. So it's 3 on the left and 2 on the right now. Happy to report it's SIGNIFICANTLY quieter now. I think it's fixed! It was the rear fan that was the problem. I guess it was running at max speed.

My only questions is should the case fans be set to DC in the BIOS? As I mentioned they are all set to PWM at the moment.

As a side note, Spyder .. You're an absolute legend for helping me at 10pm on a Friday night. If PCSpecialist are reading this you should be extremely appreciative of people like Spyer who give free advice and help customers on your forums. Pretty much the main reason I purchased a PC from PCSpecialist was because I was able to get help with build advice / support quickly and helpfully via these forums. Thanks again.

I think that little board within the case is actually a little voltage controller that does all the DC voltage adapting on it's own so yes, I think you're right, they should be set to DC.

As a side note, Spyder .. You're an absolute legend for helping me at 10pm on a Friday night. If PCSpecialist are reading this you should be extremely appreciative of people like Spyer who give free advice and help customers on your forums. Pretty much the main reason I purchased a PC from PCSpecialist was because I was able to get help with build advice / support quickly and helpfully via these forums. Thanks again.

That's really kind, thank you for the mention. I'd love to say it was just through lockdown that I'm stuck on my laptop in the kitchen at this time of night, but actually I get an enormous amount of enjoyment out of helping people where I can. That's really kind of you to say and duly absorbed