Editing Quiet PC (section)

==Individual components in a quiet PC==
The following are notes regarding individual components in quiet PCs.

The motherboard, CPU, and video card are major energy users in a computer.  Components that need less power will be easier to cool quietly.  A quiet power supply is selected to be efficient while providing enough power for the computer.

===Motherboard===
{{Main|Motherboard}}
[[Image:Silent PC-Northbridge chipset.JPG|thumb|Passively cooled northbridge chipsets help reduce noise.]]
A motherboard based on a [[chipset]] that uses less energy will be easier to cool quietly. [[Undervolting]] and [[underclocking]] generally require motherboard support, but when available can be used to reduce energy use and heat output, and therefore cooling requirements.

Many modern motherboard chipsets have hot [[Northbridge (computing)|northbridges]] which may come with active cooling in the form of a small, noisy fan. Some motherboard manufacturers have replaced these fans by incorporating large heat sinks or [[heatpipe]] coolers,<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.madshrimps.be/?action=getarticle&number=1&artpage=1971&articID=473|title=Motherboard Chipset Cooler Roundup |publisher= Mad shrimps | place = [[Belgium|BE]] | first = Mich | last = VM |date= 2006-08-12 | access-date = 2008-10-10}}</ref><ref name= SPCRHeatsinksP2>{{cite web| url = http://www.silentpcreview.com/article30-page2.html |title=Recommended Heatsinks| first = Michael ‘Mike’ | last = Chin| date=2002-07-16| publisher =SPCR|access-date=2008-10-10}}</ref> however they still require good case airflow to remove heat. Motherboard [[voltage regulator]]s also often have heat sinks and may need airflow to ensure adequate cooling.

Some motherboards can control the fan speed using an integrated [[hardware monitoring]] chip<ref name=ieee07/> (often a function within a [[Super I/O]] solution<ref name=ieee07/>), which can be configured through [[BIOS#Hardware monitoring|BIOS]] or with a [[system monitor]]ing software like [[SpeedFan]] and [[Argus Monitor]], and most recent motherboards have built-in PWM fan control for one or two fans.

Even though a given hardware monitoring chip may be capable of performing fan control,<ref name=ieee07>{{Cite conference
|author= Constantine A. Murenin |date= 2007-04-17
|url = http://sensors.cnst.su/IEEE_ICNSC_2007
|section = 2. Hardware review
|title= Generalised Interfacing with Microprocessor System Hardware Monitors
|conference= Proceedings of 2007 IEEE International Conference on Networking, Sensing and Control, 15–17 April 2007.
|location= London, United Kingdom
|publisher=[[IEEE]]
|pages = 901–906 |doi = 10.1109/ICNSC.2007.372901 |isbn = 978-1-4244-1076-7
|id = IEEE ICNSC 2007, pp. 901—906.
}}</ref> a motherboard manufacturer may not necessarily wire up the fan header pins of the motherboard correctly to the hardware monitoring chip, thus sometimes [[computer fan control]] cannot be performed on a given motherboard due to the wiring irregularities, even though the software may indicate that the fan control is available due to the underlying support by the hardware monitoring chip itself.<ref name=abc2010>{{Cite conference
|author1= Constantine A. Murenin
|author2= Raouf Boutaba
|author2-link = Raouf Boutaba
|date= 2010-03-14
|url = http://sensors.cnst.su/fanctl/
|section = 3.1. Shortcomings with general-purpose fan-control software; 7.1. Even easier fan control
|title= Quiet Computing with BSD: Fan control with sysctl hw.sensors.
|conference= AsiaBSDCon 2010 Proceedings. 11–14 March 2010
|location= Tokyo University of Science, Tokyo, Japan
|publication-date= 2010-03-13
|pages=85–92
|archive-url= http://web.archive.org/web/20100225000000/http://sensors.cnst.su/fanctl/
|archive-date= 2010-02-25
|url-status= live
|access-date= 2019-03-10
}} [http://2010.asiabsdcon.org/papers/abc2010-P6B-paper.pdf Alt URL]</ref>  Other times, it may be the case that a single fan-control setting may affect all fan connector headers on the motherboard at the same time, even if individual settings for each fan are available in the hardware monitoring chip itself; these wiring issues being very common makes it difficult to design good general-purpose [[user interface]]s for configuring fan control.<ref name=abc2010/>

Motherboards can also produce [[electromagnetically induced acoustic noise and vibration|audible electromagnetic noise]].

===CPU===
The heat output of a CPU can vary according to its brand and model or, more precisely, its [[thermal design power]] (TDP). [[Intel]]'s third revision [[Pentium&nbsp;4]], using the "Prescott" core, was infamous for being one of the hottest-running CPUs on the market. By comparison, [[AMD]]'s [[Athlon]] series and the Intel [[Core&nbsp;2]] perform better at lower clock speeds and thus produce less heat.

Modern CPUs often incorporate [[Power management|energy saving systems]], such as [[Cool'n'Quiet]], [[LongHaul]], and [[SpeedStep]]. These reduce the CPU [[clock speed]] and [[core voltage]] when the processor is idle, thus reducing heat.  The heat produced by CPUs can be further reduced by [[undervolting]], [[underclocking]] or both.

Most modern mainstream and value CPUs are made with a lower [[Thermal Design Power|TDP]] to reduce heat, noise, and power consumption. Intel's dual-core [[Celeron]], [[Pentium]], and i3 CPUs generally have a [[Thermal design power|TDP]] of 35&ndash;54&nbsp;W, while the i5 and i7 are generally 64&ndash;84&nbsp;W (newer versions, such as [[Haswell (microarchitecture)|Haswell]]) or 95W (older versions, such as [[Sandy Bridge]]). Older CPUs such as the [[Core 2 Duo]] typically had a TDP of 65&nbsp;W, while the [[Core 2 Quad]] CPUs were mostly 65&ndash;95&nbsp;W. AMD's [[Athlon II x2]] CPUs were 65&nbsp;W, while the Athlon&nbsp;x4 was 95&nbsp;W. The [[AMD Phenom]] ranged from 80&nbsp;W in the x2 variant to 95 and 125&nbsp;W in the quad-core variants. The [[AMD Bulldozer]] CPUs range from 95&ndash;125&nbsp;W. [[AMD APU]]s range from 65&nbsp;W for the lower-end dual-core variants, such as the A4, to 100&nbsp;W in the higher-end quad-core variants, such as the A8. Some processors come in special low-power versions. For example, Intel's lower TDP CPUs end in T (35&nbsp;W) or S (65&nbsp;W).

===Video card===
[[File:Sapphire-Radeon-HD-7750.jpg|thumb|A video card using [[heat pipe]]s for cooling and no dedicated fan]]
[[Video cards]] can produce a significant amount of heat. A fast [[GPU]] may be the largest power consumer in a computer<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/radeon-hd-2900-games.html |title=Almost a Champion: ATI Radeon HD 2900 XT Gaming Performance Review |first1=Alexey |last1=Stepin |first2=Yaroslav |last2=Lyssenko |first3=Anton |last3=Shilov |date=2007-05-24 |publisher=X bit labs |access-date=10 October 2008}}</ref> and because of space limitations, video card coolers often use small fans running at high speeds, making them noisy.

Options to reduce noise from this source include:
* Replace the stock [[computer cooling|cooler]] with an aftermarket one.<ref>{{Citation |url=http://hexus.net/tech/news/cooling/43577-new-arctic-accelero-hybrid-7970-graphics-card-cooler/ |title =New Arctic Accelero Hybrid 7970 graphics card cooler |publisher=Hexus |date=2012-10-08 |access-date=2012-09-18}}.</ref>
* Use motherboard video output. Typically, motherboard video takes less power but provides lower gaming or HD video decoding performance.
* Select a video card that does not use a fan.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.silentpcreview.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=14366 |title=Fanless VGA Cards list – a start! |first=Michael ‘Mike’ |last=Chin |date=2004-07-16 |publisher=SPCR |type=forum |access-date=2008-10-10}}</ref>
* Most modern graphics cards come with tools that allow the user to reduce the power target and adjust fan curves, resulting in quieter operation at the cost of performance

===Power supply===
{{Main|Power supply unit (computer)}}
[[Power supply]] (PSU) is made quieter through the use of higher efficiency (which reduces waste heat and need for airflow), quieter fans, more intelligent fan controllers (ones for which the correlation between temperature and fan speed is more complex than linear), more effective heat sinks, and designs that allow air to flow through with less resistance. For a given power supply size, more efficient supplies such as those certified [[80 plus]] generate less heat.

A power supply of appropriate wattage for the computer is important for high efficiency and minimizing heat. Power supplies are typically less efficient when lightly or heavily loaded. High-wattage power supplies will typically be less efficient when lightly loaded, for instance when the computer is idle or sleeping. Most desktop computers spend most of their time lightly loaded.<ref name=SPCRPower>{{cite web| url = http://www.silentpcreview.com/article699-page1.html | title=Recommended Power Supplies| first= Michael ‘Mike’ | last = Chin| date=2006-12-01 |publisher=SPCR |access-date=2008-10-10}}</ref> For example, most desktop PCs draw less than 250 watts at full load, and 200 watts or less is more typical.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.silentpcreview.com/article28-page4.html |title= Power Supply Fundamentals| first = Michael ‘Mike’ | last = Chin|date=2005-04-06 |publisher=SPCR |access-date= 2008-10-10}}</ref>

Power supplies with thermally controlled fans can be made quieter by providing a cooler and/or less obstructed source of air, and fanless power supplies are available, either with large passive heat sinks or relying on convection or case airflow to dissipate heat. It is also possible to use fanless DC-to-DC power supplies that operate like those in laptops, using an external power brick to supply DC power, which is then converted to appropriate voltages and regulated for use by the computer.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.silentpcreview.com/article601-page1.html|title=Tiny, Silent and Efficient: The picoPSU | first = Michael ‘Mike’ | last = Chin| date=2006-05-09 |publisher=SPCR |access-date= 2023-07-31 | archive-date= 2016-11-19 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161119011614/http://www.silentpcreview.com/article601-page1.html | url-status = dead}}</ref> These power supplies usually have lower wattage ratings.

The electrical coils in power supplies can produce [[Electromagnetically induced acoustic noise and vibration|audible electromagnetic noise]] which can become noticeable in a quiet PC.

Equipping the PSU with a power cord that uses a ferrite bead can sometimes help to reduce humming from the PSU.

===Case===
{{Main|Computer case}}
[[Image:Silent PC-Antec P180.JPG|thumb|Antec P180, with isolated chambers for more segregated airflow]]
[[Image:Antecp180b.JPG|thumb|Another example of the Antec P180, this one demonstrating the use of the Scythe Ninja, a fanless CPU cooler]]
Case designed for low noise usually include quiet fans, and often come with a quiet power supply. Some incorporate heatsinks to cool components passively.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.silentpcreview.com/article301-page1.html|title=Fanless Ultra Powerhouse PC by EndPCNoise | first = Michael ‘Mike’ | last = Chin |publisher=SPCR |date=2006-02-23| access-date=2008-10-10}}</ref>

Larger cases provide more space for airflow, larger coolers and heat sinks, and sound-dampening material.

====Airflow====
Noise-optimized cases<ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.silentpcreview.com/article255-page1.html | title = Antec P180 | date = 21 April 2020 | publisher = SPCR}}.</ref><ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.silentpcreview.com/article272-page1.html | title = Antec P150 | date = 21 April 2020 | publisher = SPCR}}.</ref> often have ducting and partitioning within the case to optimize airflow and to thermally isolate components.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.silentpcreview.com/article75-page4.html|title = Cases: Basics & Recommendations| first = Michael ‘Mike’ | last = Chin|date=2003-03-12 |publisher= SPCR | access-date = 2008-10-10}}</ref> Vents and ducts may easily be added to regular cases.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.silentpcreview.com/article293-page2.html | title= Quiet PC for Torrid Thailand| first = Michael ‘Mike’ | last = Chin|date=2006-01-10 |publisher=SPCR |access-date= 2008-10-10}}</ref>

Case designed to be quiet typically have wire grills or honeycombed fan grills. Both are far superior to the older style of stamped grill.

Features that facilitate neat cable management, such as brackets and space to run cables behind the motherboard tray, help increase cooling efficiency.

Air filters can help to prevent dust from coating heat sinks and surfaces, which dust impedes heat transfer, making fans spin faster. However, the filter itself can increase noise if it restricts airflow too much or is not kept clean, requiring a larger or faster fan to handle the pressure drop behind the filter.

====Soundproofing====
The inside of a case can be lined with [[Soundproofing|dampening materials]] to reduce noise by:
* attenuating the vibration of the case panels via extensional damping or constrained-layer damping
* reducing the amplitude of the vibration of the case panels by increasing their mass
* absorbing airborne noise, such as with foam

===Cooling systems===
{{Main|Computer cooling}}

====Heat sink====
{{Main|Heat sink}}
Large heat sinks designed to operate efficiently with little airflow are often used in quiet computers.<ref name=MadsHeatsinks>{{cite web | place = [[Belgium|BE]] | url = http://www.madshrimps.be/?action=getarticle&articID=389 |title = All Heatsink Tests Done by Madshrimps In One Place (CPU Heatsink Comparison Database) |author=jmke |date=2009-12-07 |publisher=Madshrimps |access-date = 2013-11-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.silentpcreview.com/article251-page1.html|title = Scythe SCNJ-1000 Ninja heatsink| first = Michael ‘Mike’ | last = Chin|date=2005-06-17 |publisher=SPCR | access-date = 2013-11-21}}</ref><ref name=SPCRHeatsinks>{{cite web| url= http://www.silentpcreview.com/article30-page1.html | title = Recommended Heatsinks| first = Michael ‘Mike’ | last = Chin|date= 2002-07-16 | publisher= SPCR | access-date = 2008-10-10}}</ref> Often [[heat pipes]] are used to more efficiently distribute heat to the heat sink.

====Fan====
{{Main|Computer fan}}
[[Image:Silent PC-large fan.JPG|thumb|A 120 mm variable speed fan]]

If they use fans at all, quiet PCs typically use larger-than-usual low-speed fans with quiet-running motors and bearings. The 120&nbsp;mm size is common, and 140&nbsp;mm fans are used where cases or heat sinks allow them. Quiet fan manufacturers include Nexus, EBM-Papst,<ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.ebmpapst.com/ | title = EBM Papst}}.</ref> Yate Loon, Scythe,<ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.scythe-eu.com/en | title = Scythe | place = [[EU]]}}</ref> and [[Noctua (cooling)|Noctua]].<ref>{{cite web | newspaper = Digital daily | url= http://www.digital-daily.com/cooling/noctua/index2.htm | title = New coolers Noctua NH-U9 and NH-U12 – quiet and effective cooling | access-date =2008-10-10 | first =Viktor | last = Baranov|date=2006-05-23}}</ref> Extensive comparative surveys have been posted by SPCR<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.silentpcreview.com/article695-page1.html | publisher =SPCR | title = Fan Round-Up | number = 2 | access-date =2008-10-10 | first = Michael ‘Mike’ | last = Chin| date=2006-11-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.silentpcreview.com/article63-page2.html | title = Recommended Fans| first = Michael ‘Mike’ | last = Chin | date=2007-03-04 |publisher=SPCR | access-date=2008-10-10}}</ref> and MadShrimps.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.madshrimps.be/?action=getarticle&articID=421 |title=120mm Fan Roundup: 17 Fans Compared |publisher= Madshrimps | place = [[Belgium|BE]] | date=2002-07-16|access-date=2008-10-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.madshrimps.be/gotoartik.php?articID=892 |title=120mm Fan Roundup: 35 Fans Compared | date=2008-02-13 | publisher = Mad shrimps | place = BE |access-date= 2009-02-13}}</ref>

Fan noise is often proportional to fan speed, so [[fan control]]lers can be used to slow down fans and to precisely choose fan speed. Fan controllers can produce a fixed fan speed using an inline resistor or diode; or a variable speed using a [[potentiometer]] to supply a lower voltage. Fan speed can also be reduced more crudely by plugging them into the power supply's 5-volt line instead of the 12-volt line (or between the two for a potential difference of 7 volts, although this cripples the fan's speed sensing).<ref name=7vTrick /> Most fans will run at 5 volts once they are spinning, but may not start reliably at less than 7 V. Some simple fan controllers will only vary the fans' supply voltage between 8 V and 12 V to avoid this problem entirely. Some fan controllers start the fan at 12 V, then drop the voltage after a few seconds.

PWM fan control, however, is the easiest and most efficient option for modern motherboards that have PWM fan headers. [[PWM fan]] control rapidly cycles between feeding the fan full voltage and no voltage, to control rotational speed. Typically the motherboard chipset provides temperature data from sensors on the CPU itself to control speed.

Bearing and motor noise is an important consideration. Soft mounting fans (e.g. with rubber or silicone fan isolators) can help reduce transfer of fan vibration to other components.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.silentpcreview.com/article262-page1.html| title = AcoustiProducts Vibration Dampers| first = Michael ‘Mike’ | last = Chin|date=2005-08-11 |publisher=SPCR | access-date = 2008-10-10}}</ref>

Piezoelectric fans are often quieter than rotating fans and may consume less power.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://electronics-cooling.com/articles/2007/feb/a1/ | title =Piezo actuators for electronics cooling | first =Ioan | last = Sauciuc |publisher=Electronics Cooling Magazine |date=February 2007 |access-date= 2008-10-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=braun|first1=Rob|title=Compact Mac Upgrades|url=https://mac68k.info/wiki/display/mac68k/Compact+Mac+Upgrades|publisher=mac68k.info|access-date=3 April 2016}}</ref> Intel, Murata, and others have recently done development on use of piezoelectric fans in desktop PCs.<ref>{{Cite report |doi=10.21236/ada288571 |title=Ada Compiler Validation Summary Report: Certificate Number 940902S1.11377 UNISYS Corporation. IntegrAda for Windows NT, Version 1.0. Intel Deskside Server with Intel 80486DX266 =&gt; Intel Deskside Server with Intel 80486DX266, |last=Jefferson |first=David K. |last2=Johnson |first2=L. A. |last3=Peifer |first3=Donald J. |date=1994-09-14 |publisher=Defense Technical Information Center |location=Fort Belvoir, VA}}</ref>

====Watercooling====
{{Main|Watercooling#Computer usage}}
Watercooling<ref>{{cite web|last1=Acosta|first1=Jeremy|title=Water Cooling or Air Cooling For PC|url=http://gamesngearselite.com/air-cooling-vs-liquid-cooling/|website=Games and Gears Elite|access-date=2017-02-14|archive-date=2017-02-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211091531/http://gamesngearselite.com/air-cooling-vs-liquid-cooling/|url-status=dead}}</ref> is a method of heat-dissipation by transferring the heat through a conductive material which is in contact with a liquid, such as demineralized water with an additive to prevent bacterial growth. This water travels in a loop that usually contains a reservoir, radiator and pump. Modern 12 V DC pump technologies allow extremely powerful and quiet designs.

By efficiently transferring device heat to a separate heat exchanger that can use larger heat sinks or fans, water cooling can allow quieter overall operation. Devices such as [[GPU]]s, [[Northbridge (computing)|Northbridges]], [[Southbridge (computing)|Southbridges]], [[hard disk drive]]s, [[Random access memory|memory]], [[voltage regulator module]]s (VRMs), and even [[Power supply unit (computer)|power supplies]] can be separately watercooled;<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://koolance.com/1300-1700w-liquid-cooled-power-supply|title=Koolance 1300/1700W Liquid-Cooled Power Supply}}</ref> in fact [[Server immersion cooling|the whole PC]] can be immersed, in some cases.

===Secondary storage===

====Hard drive====
{{Main|Hard drive}}
[[Image:Silent PC-silicone grommets.JPG|thumb|Silicone grommets in a computer case for mounting a hard drive to reduce vibration]]
Older hard drives used [[ball bearing]] motors but more recent desktop hard drives use quieter [[fluid bearing]] motors.<ref name=SPCRrecomendHD>{{cite web| url=http://www.silentpcreview.com/article29-page2.html| title = Recommended Hard Drives| publisher=SPCR | first = Michael ‘Mike’ | last = Chin|date=2002-09-18| access-date = 2008-08-02}}</ref>

The smaller 2.5" form-factor hard drives generally vibrate less, are quieter, and use less power than traditional 3.5" drives,<ref name= SPCRrecomendHD /><ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.silentpcreview.com/article264-page3.html | title = Seagate Momentus 5400.2 120GB SATA notebook drive| first = Michael ‘Mike’ | last = Chin| date= 2005-08-16 |publisher= SPCR | access-date= 2008-10-10}}</ref> but often have lower performance and less capacity, and cost more per [[gigabyte]].

To minimize vibrations from a hard drive being transferred to, and amplified by the case. Hard drives can be mounted with soft rubber studs, suspended with elastics, or placed on soft foam or [[Sorbothane]].  Hard disk enclosures can also help reduce drive noise, but care must be taken to ensure that the drive gets adequate cooling - with disk temperatures often monitored by [[Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology|SMART]] software.

====Solid-state storage====
{{main|Solid-state drive}}
A [[solid-state drive]] has no moving mechanical components and runs silently,<ref name="STEC">[[STEC, Inc.|STEC]]."[http://www.stec-inc.com/downloads/whitepapers/Performance_Power_Advantages.pdf SSD Power Savings Render Significant Reduction to TCO] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100704203915/http://www.stec-inc.com/downloads/whitepapers/Performance_Power_Advantages.pdf |date=2010-07-04 }}." Retrieved October 25, 2010.</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Whittaker|first=Zack|title=Solid-state disk prices falling, still more costly than hard disks |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/solid-state-disk-prices-falling-still-more-costly-than-hard-disks/|work=Between the Lines|publisher=ZDNet|access-date=14 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=What is solid state disk? - A Word Definition From the Webopedia Computer Dictionary|url=http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/solid_state_disk.html|work=Webopedia|date=7 January 2001|publisher=ITBusinessEdge|access-date=14 December 2012}}</ref><ref name="dell-study">{{cite web|url=http://www.dell.com/downloads/global/products/pvaul/en/ssd_vs_hdd_price_and_performance_study.pdf|title=SSD vs HDD Price and Performance Study, a Dell technical white paper|date=May 2011|publisher=Dell PowerVault Technical Marketing|author=Vamsee Kasavajhala|access-date=15 June 2012}}</ref> but ({{As of|2016|lc=yes}}) are still roughly four times more expensive per unit of storage than consumer-grade HDDs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.computerworld.com/article/3040694/data-storage/ssd-prices-plummet-again-close-in-on-hdds.html|title=SSD prices plummet again, close in on HDDs|author=Lucas Mearian|date=3 March 2016|work=Computerworld}}</ref>

In some cases, other solid-state storage methods may be suitable:
* [[Compact Flash]] (CF) cards can be used as secondary storage. Because they use a slightly modified [[Parallel ATA]] (PATA) interface, a simple adapter is all that is needed to connect CF cards to function as an PATA or [[PC Card]] hard disk.  CF cards are also small, allowing [[Small form factor (desktop and motherboard)|SFF]] PCs to be made, produce no noise, use very little power (further reducing heat output in the AC/DC conversion in the PSU), and an insignificant amount of heat. However, they are very expensive per [[Gigabyte|GB]] and are only available in small capacities and there are also issues regarding the maximum number of writes to each sector.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://blogs.msdn.com/embedded/archive/2005/10/26/485389.aspx|title=Where to find EWF Information|publisher=msdn.com | date=2005-10-26|access-date=2008-10-10}}</ref>
* [[USB flash drives]] can be used if a motherboard supports booting from [[USB]]. They are based on [[flash memory]], so have the same advantages and disadvantages as CF cards, except that speed is limited by the [[USB#Limitations|USB bus]].
* [[i-RAM]] is a solid-state disk that has four DIMM slots to allow regular PC [[RAM]] to be used like a disk. It is much faster than a hard disk, does not have the write cycle limitations of flash memory, however, it requires power continuously in order to maintain its contents (from standby power or a battery when the system is off), uses more power than many laptop hard drives, has maximum capacity of 4 GiB, and is expensive.

All forms of solid-state storage are more expensive than traditional spinning-disk drives, so some quiet PC designs use them in conjunction with a secondary hard drive which is only accessed when needed, or with [[network-attached storage]], where less-quiet traditional hard drives are kept remote.

====Optical drive====
Optical drives can be slowed down by software to quiet them, such as [[Nero Burning ROM|Nero]] DriveSpeed, or emulated by [[Disk image emulator|virtual drive programs]] such as [[Daemon Tools]] to eliminate their noise entirely. Notebook optical drives can be used, which tend to be quieter, however, this may be because they tend to run slower (typically 24× CD speed, 8× DVD speed).  Some DVD drives have a feature, commonly called [[Riplock]], which reduces drive noise by slowing the drive during video playback.  For playback operations, only 1x (real time) speed is required.

===External components===

====Monitor====
{{Main|Computer display}}
A [[CRT monitor]] can produce [[coil noise]], as can the external power supply for an [[LCD]] monitor or the voltage converter for the monitor's backlight.  LCD monitors tend to produce the least noise (whine) when at full brightness.<ref name= SPCRLCDwhine/>  Reducing brightness using the video card does not introduce whine but may reduce color accuracy.<ref name=SPCRLCDwhine />  An LCD monitor with an external power supply tucked out of the way will produce less noticeable noise than one with the power supply built into the screen housing.

====Printer====
{{Main|Computer printer}}
In the past, particularly noisy printers such as [[Dot matrix printer|dot matrix]] and [[daisy wheel]] designs were often housed in soundproofed boxes or cabinets, and the same technique can be used with modern printers to reduce their perceived noise. Another solution is to network the printer and locate it physically away from the immediate work area.