Noisy hard disk - silenced HDD cages

[csendesmark]

Hello All
Not long ago I bought a WD Ultrastar DC HC550,
It is fast, but damn it - is really noisy too!

I have a Cooler Master CM 690 III, and first I just swapped in my new HDD, int he case's regular 3,5" HDD holder.
Turned out it is loud, so I dusted off my old Cooler Master 4 in 3 HDD Module Device - (STB-3T4-E3-GP) Link
A nice rubberized hard disk case.
It got even louder with it, because the left side panel picks up all the vibrations somehow.

I have already decided,
worst case scenario is to get a BE QUIET! Dark Base 802 or Dark Base 900.

But first/alternatively I would like to find a smart solution for this matter, like I hoped from the STB-3T4-E3-GP option,
And this is why I asking YOU to,
Please give me your thoughts and advices, especially if you have similar HDDs in your rig!
I like my current CM Centurion 690, I really would not spend a lot of money on a new case.
So I am looking for a solution which is mutes HDDs.

Thank You!

 

[claes]

You could try suspending it with elastic in a 5” bay, but DC HDDs are unfortunately very loud.

 

[MIRTAZAPINE]

I do have a WD HC hdd too though I don't use in case but I use it with external enclosure. It does not sound as loud in an enclosure. For hdd like this firm mounting is the way to go to reduce noise if possible mount it to a floor of case for as much contact possible.

 

[claes]

That doesn’t make any sense in my mind… There’s no way any hard mount is going to reduce vibrations to the chassis as well as suspension will. I know from personal experience, but don’t take my word for it — take Mike Chin’s, former editor of silent PC review.

HDD vibration & noise reducing methods - ranked - SPCR

silentpcreview.com

 

[Ferd]

I used O-rings before , I put one on the Hdd side and one on the screw side , so if you had a hdd mounted using 4 screws you’ll need 8 o-rings , the downside is they wear out quickly, some tore down within weeks (5~6) and others lasted few months (7~8) ,I used to salvage those as I had no idea where to buy ones .....nowadays I don’t use hdds but o-rings are available online easily

 

[Mussels]

You need something to absorb the vibrations, elastic bands and rubber O-rings are usually the best options

I used to have that case, best advice is to use the 5.25" optical bays with a HDD mount designed to absorb the noise

Theres a lot of products out there with heatsinks as well, to avoid the drive overheating while enclosed

heatsink models
Alphacool Silentmaxx-HD-Insulation Rev. 2.0 AC-34008-D (performance-pcs.com)

really simple ones
Amazon.com: ORICO Aluminum 5.25 inch to 2.5 or 3.5 Inch Internal Hard Disk Drive Mounting Kit with Screws and Shock Absorption Rubber Washer- Black : Electronics

slightly fancier ones
Amazon.com: ToToT 1-Pack 3.5 inch Hard Disk Shock Absorber Bracket with Mounting Screws for PC Case 3.5 HDD to 5.25 DVD ROM Bay Mounting Adapter : Electronics


fancy screws for your existing mounts
Amazon.com: ZRM&E 8pcs 10mm Hard Disk Drive Screws and Shock Absorption Rubber Washer Kit PC Hard Disk Drive Mounting Accessories for 3.5 inches HDD SSD : Electronics

 

[csendesmark]

Thank You for the

really simple ones
Amazon.com: ORICO Aluminum 5.25 inch to 2.5 or 3.5 Inch Internal Hard Disk Drive Mounting Kit with Screws and Shock Absorption Rubber Washer- Black : Electronics

This is already looking great and available, but this might not cut it and also looks like where the hard disk could get warmer/hot

slightly fancier ones
Amazon.com: ToToT 1-Pack 3.5 inch Hard Disk Shock Absorber Bracket with Mounting Screws for PC Case 3.5 HDD to 5.25 DVD ROM Bay Mounting Adapter : Electronics

This one looks better! Sadly it's not available in the European Amazon...
Found a similar option https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Lankater...3,5+to+5,25&qid=1632595313&s=computers&sr=1-2
might go for this, but with delivery, it costs one third of the price of the BE QUIET! Dark Base 900.

Anyway, now at least I have a lead to find one of the "good" options

 

[P4-630]

worst case scenario is to get a BE QUIET! Dark Base 802 or Dark Base 900.

When I still had a spinner I was still able to hear it even though I have a BQ Silent base 600.

I went all SSD.

 

[qubit]

The only way you’re gonna properly fix this problem is by replacing with quieter drives of which there are plenty, or SSDs, expensive.

No amount of noise insulation is gonna reduce it to near inaudible levels. You’re gonna have to spend significant money regardless.

 

[sneekypeet]

This all reminds me of the antec lanboy air chassis, where they had bungee cable suspension of drives.

I would say this. If rubber grommets or O-rings are not sufficient, you have to have one seriously unbalanced drive to carry normal vibrations past it.

 

[Wirko]

It got even louder with it, because the left side panel picks up all the vibrations somehow.

You mentioned the left side panel specifically, so it may be worth checking. Does the panel make rattling sounds if you tap on any part of it with your hand? Is the HDD rumble severely reduced when you put your hand on it?

 

[csendesmark]

You mentioned the left side panel specifically, so it may be worth checking. Does the panel make rattling sounds if you tap on any part of it with your hand? Is the HDD rumble severely reduced when you put your hand on it?

Already did of course, only two parts carrying the resonance this (STB-3T4-E3-GP) drive cage:

and the left side panel.

This cage made from flimsy aluminium sheets,
So I asked my friend to lend me back the CM Centurion 590's cage back which has superior build quality:

I also thought about pinning the side panel out with some foam from my GPU box foam, to create outward tension, to suppress some of the noise, but I need to think where exactly should pin

When I still had a spinner I was still able to hear it even though I have a BQ Silent base 600.

I went all SSD.

Yeah, I am also looking the prices like a kid the toy-shop's window before Christmas.
But this 16TB drive costed "only" $490
Love to have a ASUS Hyper m.2 X16 gen4 with 4 of ADATA 4TB XPG SPECTRIX S40G in RAID1 which would give about the same storage space.
for the low low price of $2642,8

The only way you’re gonna properly fix this problem is by replacing with quieter drives of which there are plenty, or SSDs, expensive.

No amount of noise insulation is gonna reduce it to near inaudible levels. You’re gonna have to spend significant money regardless.

I choose this because of speed and reliability. Did not expect to be this loud.
I also heard about the other similar options like the Seagate X18 and the WD Gold or the Toshiba Nearline
According to the specs the HC550 is as quiet as the rest...

This all reminds me of the antec lanboy air chassis, where they had bungee cable suspension of drives.

I would say this. If rubber grommets or O-rings are not sufficient, you have to have one seriously unbalanced drive to carry normal vibrations past it.

Did not know about that case, would be nice to buy that as a 5,25 to 3,5 adapter
Shame that they not going to sell it separately

 

[Wirko]

I also thought about pinning the side panel out with some foam from my GPU box foam, to create outward tension, to suppress some of the noise, but I need to think where exactly should pin

Another thing you can do is glue some thick, heavy rubber on the internal surface of the panel. The drive cage might deserve a similar treatment, too, if it's made of thin aluminium sheets. Be careful to not obstruct the airflow if you do that.

 

[qubit]

I choose this because of speed and reliability. Did not expect to be this loud.
I also heard about the other similar options like the Seagate X18 and the WD Gold or the Toshiba Nearline
According to the specs the HC550 is as quiet as the rest...

Sometimes one can't have it all, unfortunately. Personally, I can't stand a noisy PC, especially screechy HDD bearings and / or repetitive head noises when there's no seeking going on.

If I was in your situation, I'd bite the bullet and buy high capacity SSDs from a decent brand, perhaps Samsung, to replace all the HDDs and then eBay those HDDs after erasing the data on them. It all depends on how much you have to spend of course and I'm not gonna pry into that.

 

[Jetster]

The Irony is the cheaper Toshiba drives are dead silent. And they are reliable

 

[csendesmark]

Another thing you can do is glue some thick, heavy rubber on the internal surface of the panel. The drive cage might deserve a similar treatment, too, if it's made of thin aluminium sheets. Be careful to not obstruct the airflow if you do that.

As I said, I will try the better version from the CM Centurion 590, that is way heavier and stronger

Sometimes one can't have it all, unfortunately. Personally, I can't stand a noisy PC, especially screechy HDD bearings and / or repetitive head noises when there's no seeking going on.

If I was in your situation, I'd bite the bullet and buy high capacity SSDs from a decent brand, perhaps Samsung, to replace all the HDDs and then eBay those HDDs after erasing the data on them. It all depends on how much you have to spend of course and I'm not gonna pry into that.

I made a quick assessment of the prices for similar space in my previous post,
$500 vs $2500 is a bit one sided

The Irony is the cheaper Toshiba drives are dead silent. And they are reliable

Well, carp
I did not choose them because all of the retailers selling them with 1 year warranty in Hungary
Seagate and WD gets 5 years
Also according to the specs sheets, they having the same loudness.

 

[MIRTAZAPINE]

There is not much you could do for HDD with 9 platter spinning at 7200rpm aside from what is describe from other poster about putting damping for the drives.

Derated HC550 like those found in WD externals are much quieter spinning at 5400rpm but its speed drop to around 210MB/s. If noise is a concern those maybe an option but I don't recommend it now as their price is outrageous versus bare drives and you don't have warranty. Shucked external use to be a good cheaper hdd option before Chia crypto ruin that market.

Toshiba 14TB mg07 is loud, I slow them immediately after getting it.

 

[qubit]

I made a quick assessment of the prices for similar space in my previous post,
$500 vs $2500 is a bit one sided

Agreed, that’s a huge difference.

 

[Mussels]

Thank You for the

This is already looking great and available, but this might not cut it and also looks like where the hard disk could get warmer/hot


This one looks better! Sadly it's not available in the European Amazon...
Found a similar option https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Lankater-inch-hard-bracket-chassis/dp/B08Q7FV87Z/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=3,5+to+5,25&qid=1632595313&s=computers&sr=1-2
might go for this, but with delivery, it costs one third of the price of the BE QUIET! Dark Base 900.

Anyway, now at least I have a lead to find one of the "good" options

it wont get any hotter mounted in that orico model than in any stock situation... it's exposed to a lot of open air


you can remove vibration with rubber mounts
you can reduce noise by solid objects between you and the HDD (such as complete, sealed enclosures that transfer heat)

nothing will make them silent, other than powering them off or moving them far away (NAS in another room)

 

[R-T-B]

The Irony is the cheaper Toshiba drives are dead silent. And they are reliable

Ultrastars are basically reliability incarnate. However they aren't built with quiet in mind at all.

 

[Ferrum Master]

There is no cure, don't waste money. The noise will remain.

Old spinners remain place in a mirrored NAS, that's located in different room. You don't need them to be hooked up to our main PC where SSD's should be a norm now.

 

[xtreemchaos]

i had the same prob with having 2 4 tb side by side in the back of my p5 case its not vibrations what was the prob it was the spining up and down what was the pain. i covered both sides of the HDs with gortex you know the stuff that keeps water out but lets air through my temps are about 2c higher but i carnt hear them now and ive a full loop with fans running at 600rpm.

 

[csendesmark]

There is no cure, don't waste money. The noise will remain.

Old spinners remain place in a mirrored NAS, that's located in different room. You don't need them to be hooked up to our main PC where SSD's should be a norm now.

I disagree,
First, if I hold the HDD cage with my hand, the vibration goes away, and the basic/constant noise ain't bad.
Spin up spin down still quite audible, but that do not happen that often, also - I don't access the disk that often so the head moving etc are ok for me.
I use it as an archive drive, for system, for games and for temp files I use separate SSDs

My explanation I pulled apart my house CM Centurion 690
and if I remove the front plastic and the two side panels, the noise is normal - totally acceptable noise levels (discounting actual/active disk usage)
but when I install the covers, the covers big surfaces are transmitting that awful vibration noises, like an amplifier.
So this is why I need to isolate the vibration with something.

@xtreemchaos,
I will look for that gortex material in our local stores, Thank You for the advice!

@Mussels
I ordered that ORICO HDD holder, hope it will help tame the vibrations!
Will arrive next week, looking forward to build it in!

 

[eidairaman1]

Look for hd tools by wd that can adjust parameters at firmware level.

Hitachi Had Such Tools,

 

[user112]

any type of foam/rubber padding will reduce the sound of vibrations though the best solution is to get a small cheap SSD and use it like a cache reducing the need for The HDD to spin up much. that said I'd try taking it out of the case and setting it on a thick pillow. if it's still louder than system fans in that state you may want to RMA the drive. as a last resort you can download "crystaldisk info" and adjust the AAM/APM setting if the drive supports it trading speed for silence.