The CPU commonly generates heat that needs a cooling system. Since most systems generally own air coolers, airflow inevitably creates a buzzing noise during heavy CPU usage.
While sitting at a computer desk everyone hates the noise that PCs make during Heavy usage, and so do I. Despite a very slim chance, I have minimized the noise significantly without sacrificing performance.
I’ll drive you through some feasible ideas that can diminish the CPU noise to a satisfactory level.
Why Does the CPU Make Noise & How to Reduce it?
Technically, the CPU can’t make an audible noise itself. But the CPU cooler is responsible for the certain buzzing noise. Although the CPU indeed manipulates the Cooler Fan’s speed, some coolers are quieter.
However, it’s worth mentioning that the CPU can create a sound called Coil Whine but can’t be considered Noise, since it is hardly audible.
Except for this Coil Whine, the CPU Cooler has some causes responsible for noise, such as Poor ventilation or airflow, Dusty components with blocked heatsinks, poor quality or broken Fans, and many more.
Here are some significant causes and their solutions of noise that processors make:
Optimize Ventilation
Insufficient ventilation holds warm air in the casing, which will cycle through repeatedly and turn hotter. Resulting CPU fan spinning faster to handle such a situation, causing the noise.
Choose a CPU Case that has enough ventilation cavity with a sufficient fan installed into it. Plus, you can remove the dust filter to help your fan pull more air in or eject warm air effortlessly.
But the Laptops with poor ventilation are incapable of cooling if the dust covers the holes that breathe air.
Clean Up Dust
The dust in your casing and heatsink can critically block airflow through vents. The heatsinks are often built with spiky designs to add more surface area, which will grab more airflow with the extended & exposed surface releasing more heat.
But the dust can turn this process dull and difficult by sitting on those spike gaps, blocking the airflow. Besides, your casing meshes and dust filters cavities fill with dust easily.
Accordingly, your CPU fan RPM will rise significantly to draw air through the dust obstacles, and generate noise.
You must clean your PC’s interior at least once within 3–4 months, but depending on the environment in which your PC Position, the time gap might vary. So check the condition once in a while, and clean the CPU adequately to eliminate the noise issue.
Reduce Vibration Using Rubber Pad
One of the obvious reasons for noise is Vibration which occurs because of the imperfect mount of the fans. Even if you ensure proper airflow and a sufficient number of fans in your system, vibration from the CPU fan will bother you with noise.
Install your fans perfectly with the Casings body by screwing tightly, and add a rubber pad between the fan’s screw mount and casings mount to eliminate vibration.
Use High-Quality Fan
Using a better-shaped fan with high-quality bearings can significantly minimize the fan breeze. A Static-Pressure fan is better for low sound profile build. Best if you choose your fan by sneaking in to spec how much dB (sound level) that fan has.
But if you’re still facing noise, there is a chance you have a broken fan bearing. Change the fan and notice if it makes a difference.
Also, you can check some of the best quietest CPU cooler on the market to decrease the noise level of your computer.
Set Water Cooling System
Installing a water cooling system for your PC is an effective opinion to minimize the fan’s noise. Since it has a large radiator facing outward and several fans cool down the flowing liquid by pump, it doesn’t need a very high airflow, which generates very subtle noise.
Keep in mind, this method is quite costly & complex to try on. But they look aesthetic and can improve the computer appearance. You can try an AIO water liquid CPU cooler to decrease noise level and eliminate the heating issue.
Switch to Passive Cooling
If you mandate, you want a completely silent PC, no matter the cost. The Passive Cooling System is the only practical option left.
You’ll have an odd-looking giant heatsink and a tad complex case. Then what more do you have to sacrifice?
Most importantly – the performance, elegant look, RAM clearance, portability, space efficiency, etc.
But among all those flaws, the performance downfall is deal-breaking in most cases. As it has no mechanical parts, it requires passive airflow, which isn’t sufficient for intensive CPU cooling on a heavy workload.
Does Water Cooling Eliminate CPU Noise Completely?
Since a water cooling system needs fan support, it’s not a genuine noiseless option yet. Despite this point, water cooling rarely generates high-pitched noise, whatever the workload is.
So, it’s safe to recommend it as noiseless, since the sound it makes is considerable according to its cooling capability.
If you have a healthy budget to spend on the cooling system of your rig, you can consider the water cooling system without sacrificing performance. The CPU cooler may be expensive but definitely worthy as it’s decreasing the temperature and giving a good appearance.
Furthermore, you can try a truly silent experience with passive cooling if the performance isn’t a primary concern.
Can a Program or Virus / Malware Cause the CPU Fan Buzzing?
It’s the programs and games that push your CPU higher. So Yes, the programs on your CPU can increase the noise of the CPU as a heavy workload generates more heat, which needs to be chilled with higher airflow.
Since the laptop has a limited cooling mechanism, the laptop’s fan will run at a high RPM even on a moderate workload.
But what if your laptop or PC has no such heavy program running, but your laptop or PC fan is roaring?
To check if a virus is running in the system’s background, confirm you turned all your programs off from running in the background. Then keep your PC idle to verify if it’s making any weird sound. If it does, you possibly have viruses in your system.
If you find any problem, read more in this article to fix the buzzing sound of your computer.
FAQs
How much noise is normal for a PC?
Your PC will make noise, but if you’re measuring the noise level, the standard noise level is 30dB(A) to 50dB(A).
Is it OK, if your PC is loud?
CPU only makes a loud noise if it is on a heavy workload. But if your PC is making loud sounds without any workload, you might have viruses in the system.
Can 100% CPU usage damage the CPU?
Modern CPUs are built to run on 100% usage, therefore 100% usage can’t damage your CPU primarily.
Does the Microphone catch processor noise?
Yes, your mic may pick up CPU fan noise if you don’t have a mic with a noise cancellation system or any application to reduce it manually.
Conclusion
Knowing this fact, the CPU can’t actually perform without a cooling system. Inescapably, you’d require a powerful cooler that will make sound with a spinning fan.
So, you can’t just skip the cooling part and enjoy the potential performance. Following the suggestions I’ve shared can be fruitful anyway.
Use the comment box below for more queries and suggestions on this topic.
