3RSystem L-1100 T.REX With HDD Spring Suspension
The first product we selected for this article isn’t specifically a sound proofing product, but rather a computer case that was designed with a focus on hard drive noise reduction, as well as general noise reduction. The L-1100 T.REX by the Korean company 3RSystem is an ATX mid-tower with dimensions of 420 x 200 x 450 mm (height, width, depth).
From the outside, the black case, with its glossy front, looks like any other mid-tower chassis, but it is a bit different inside. The front has four 5.25” drive bays, power, and reset switches, in addition to four USB 2.0 ports, one eSATA connector, and one audio jack. Inside the case, you will find an additional 3.5” bay and a drive cage for three 3.5” drives, which are mechanically decoupled from the cage.
Sound-Proof Interior
3RSystem equipped all large surfaces inside the T.REX case with sound deadening materials, which helps facilitate a general reduction of system noise. The sound proofing includes the top, bottom, front, and rear panels. The photo to the right illustrates the individual sound proofing elements, which 3RSystem sent over separately for the sake of showing them off—all parts were factory mounted in the case of our review sample. Both side panels can be removed for installing components or maintenance, and the only remaining openings are within the I/O shield at the rear, the rear 120 mm fan, the front 120 mm fan and the power supply bay.
The sound deadening material effectively dampens the system's acoustics overall, as CPU and graphics cooling noise is much reduced. However, we wanted to know about this case’s ability to reduce hard drive noise, so let’s look at that now.
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I found the "Smart Drive Neo HDD" on scan.co.uk for £86!!!! Argh!
So ripped off we are. If it was £40, I would of had it. I can live with the bit of noise for now. I'll wrap my PC in old pants.
Well I had a look in japan for a Smart Drive Neo HDD.
http://kakaku.com/item/05392910807/
5,850.00 JPY = 39.1732 GBP
We get 140yen to the pound right now. The average used to be 200yen to the £. So the weak pound will drive the price up; But I have to say this is a basic item that's way overpriced.
ummmm.....guys,theres a BIG problem. 3dB are twice the spl, not 10dB. 10dB will be more than 3 times the pressure.
If the Smart Drive Neo HDD only takes 3.5" HDDs, the case must be about 4.5". Where would you mount it?!
According to google you shudnt keep ur harddrives cool anyway, contrary to popular opinion harddrives kept at low temperatures in googles servers broke more than those at moderate temps, and the trend was only reversed at very very high temps. So little air exchange shouldn't be a huge concern.
So... how come we didn't see the results of the Neo IN the T.Rex? That would have been something to hear about (or not hear, hardy har)
I got a minor improvement just using silicone washers on the HDD mounting screws. 50 rings for £3 from Maplins...
The 150gb raptor is still quite noisy, but at least it's not so penetrating now.
The article is wrong. Log 10 means if you increase by 10db you increase the power by a factor of 10.. As someone else mentioned an increase of about 3db is a doubling of power! simple maths guys!
Yes. Get your science right, an increase of 3db means a doubling of spl.
I'm content with my HDDs enough to save the money. And I have 4.
When SSDs come though, noisy drives will be of the past. Unless you still use DVDs/ BR-DVD.
In every system I've built it's not the hard drive that's the problem..it's the PSU or CPU fan. It's like some manufacturers simply do not care.
I found the "Smart Drive Neo HDD" on scan.co.uk for £86!!!! Argh!So ripped off we are. If it was £40, I would of had it. I can live with the bit of noise for now. I'll wrap my PC in old pants.
LOL it's not only graphics cards, then