Lownoise / Noiseless Asrock ION 330

sircube Wrote:It makes.

It would make sense, but unfortunately there is no space on the top of the little heat sink *sigh*

In case some one is interested, I've created a wiki on how I reduced the noise from my ASRock ION 330
http://asrockion.wiki.zoho.com/silencing...ON330.html

So the rubber bands are attached to the CPU heatsink - isn't this a bit of a melting hazard?

The heatsink isn't getting very warm. So there is no melting hazard. I'm not sure how such a rubber band will do over time. I think there is a risk that the rubber won't be as elastic as when it was new, or maybe break. I haven't had a PVR system that lasted more than 3 years. There is always a new version or new hardware I would like to use :-)
If you run 24/7 it is always good to open the case at least ones a year to blow out all the dust (dust creates a bad airflow, higher temperatures, higher fan speeds and in the end more noise). So when you open your case, check the rubber band an replace it if you don't trust it.

It's not really a melting hazard but over time the rubber band will dry out and become brittle, after that the rubber band will break. With that kind of heat it won't last very long.

Edit: btw isn't it possible to put a 60 mm or even 80 mm fan in that case? The Atom only needs a small amount of airflow...

I found a thread that said there's a 5 volt stub on the mobo somewhere, you can connect a 3 to 2 pin fan adapter to it & run the fan slower for less noise.
Mine is fine stock, my JVC D-ILA 's fan noise is way louder/annoying.
The Asrock with the new XBMC beta build w/ Confluence is snappy & good lookin'!

There is no room for a 60mm fan. The 50mm case fan just fits between the lid and the HDMI connector.
The CPU fan is also limited to 30x30mm unless you remove the DVD drive.
You can replace the CPU fan with a 30x30x20mm (instead of 30x30x10) but I don't think this will help in canceling noise.

I think the best option is to replace the fans with the same size but with a lower noise characteristic.
I've searched the Y.S. Tech site (my ASRock comes with Y.S. Tech fans) but couldn't find the exact same fan. The info from Y.S. Tech is copied to my page:
http://asrockion.wiki.zoho.com/silencing...ON330.html

My fans are pretty quiet now. So if I replace them, the new fan should be ultra silent (not only a sticker that says Ultra Silent!)

Hi gacmb5

Any updates with the new fans - if you've got them installed?

No, I haven't replaced mine. I'm happy with the current situation.

Oddly enough my Asrock with the stock Firmware is super quite. Heck its louder with a DVD playing in the drive than the fans in my AsRock 330.

I'd go with zip ties or bread ties before I'd use rubber bands.