If you’re someone who spends most of your time around the computer and its equipment (like me), you must know how loud and annoying the noise coming from the equipment can be. Not only is it irritating, but it’s also a distraction that can make it very hard to concentrate and reduce productivity.
You must be wondering exactly where all this noise is coming from, and there are multiple possibilities. The first and most obvious one is the cooling fan. However, the cooling fan plays an important role, because it helps prevent the servers from overheating.
The second possibility is the walls of your server room. If the walls are too thin, then the sound will spread to other rooms, so the thicker the walls, the better.
If you’re wondering about the best way to reduce server noise, there are several methods you can use to get the job done. Some methods tend to cost more than others, so your budget will determine how well you’ll be able to minimize the noise.
How to Soundproof a Server Rack
After doing hours of research, here are all the things I’ve found to be effective when it comes to soundproofing a server rack.
1. Get an Enclosed Soundproof Server Rack
One of the best ways to soundproof your server rack is to use an enclosed server rack. These are specifically designed to house a server, but you must be careful when choosing an enclosed server rack or server cabinet. Buying one that’s made of low-quality materials, such as thin metal or racks that have too many gaps in them, will do you no good.
It’s best to invest in one that’s made of thick, solid material with only a few gaps. It’s also important that the one you select has its own fan.
This high-quality enclosed server rack is the perfect example of what a solid soundproof cabinet should look like. If you’re on a tight budget, this product may be a bit pricey for you, due to its massive size, but there are many different sizes on the market to choose from.
Aside from the size, the main thing you should pay close attention to is the ventilation. You’ll want the server rack to have enough ventilation, but not too much.
2. Install Mass-Loaded Vinyl
Mass-loaded vinyl is one of the most popular and effective soundproofing materials on the market. For many years, it’s been able to help with sound isolation. Installing it around your server rack will help eliminate vibration noises that are caused by your servers or fans.
The installation process is quite easy. All you need to do is cut the material to the specific size you need, lay the vinyl on top of the rack and then place your servers back on top. You can also use glue or any other adhesive to help keep the material in place.
If mass-loaded vinyl interests you, click here to check out the current pricing.
3. Use Sound-Deadening Mats
These mats come in different forms for various purposes. They’re a variation of mass-loaded vinyl that’s been developed especially for cars, studios or homes.
These mats can also be used on the floors of your racks, and you can either glue them to the walls or the back of the cabinet. By using sound-deadening mats, you’ll notice a significant difference in the noise level.
For more information, you may want to read my article on sound-deadening mats.
4. Add a Rubberized Undercoating
This is an easy-to-use protective coating that doesn’t run when applied. It provides anti-corrosive protection, sound-deadening and insulation for cars and trucks, as well as many other surfaces. Rubberized undercoating only serves two purposes: It adds mass to dampen sound, and it helps protect surfaces from rust. This is an excellent substance to use on metal racks.
Before using this spray, you must first prepare for the unpleasant smell and the required drying time, which will require you not to use the cabinet for a few days. Another thing you should keep in mind is that using this soundproofing option attracts a lot of heat, but as we mentioned earlier, a soundproof cabinet will require cooling fans to quell the heat.
5. Clean Your Cooling Fans
One of the biggest problems with fans is that they tend to collect a lot of dust, if they’re not cleaned on a regular basis. Dust and debris will cause a fan to slow down and get even louder.
Dust will automatically cause your server to overheat, which will result in more noise over time. To avoid this problem, you’ll need to check your fans at least twice a month to make sure they’re all clean and working properly.
6. Invest in Quieter Fans
If you take the time to clean your fans, but they still keep making irritating noises, then investing in some quieter fans may be the best option.
If you’re on a tight budget, you don’t have to worry, because new fans are probably less expensive than you’d expect them to be. For example, you can check out this high-quality fan that’s both quiet and efficient. The positive reviews from users demonstrate that despite being cheap, it can still work magic by improving the airflow and reducing noise.
Before making a purchase, be sure to check and see if the fan is the right size for your particular server.
7. Replace the Old Server With a New, Quieter One
You should keep in mind that technology is always changing. Electronics are always getting more advanced, and the same goes for the server. If you have an old server that’s not functioning properly, the only choice you might have is to replace it with a new one that doesn’t make any sort of unwanted noise. Newer servers tend to be faster, quieter and a lot more efficient than the older ones.
Even though I’m not an expert when it comes to the server, I’ve done a great amount of research and I’ve managed to find a perfect server for you.
This Dell PowerEdge T30 Tower Server System is a very popular pick, and for a good reason. It’s small, compact and modern, and there are lots of positive user reviews stating that the consumer is satisfied with how well this server performs. It’s also very versatile and affordable, in comparison to most of the other servers on the market.
Conclusion
These are the ultimate steps for you to follow in order to make your server rack silent once and for all. As you can see, all these methods are pretty easy to implement; however, f you’re on a budget, the most affordable option would be to replace all of the fans with quieter ones. Changing the fans will help reduce unwanted noise from vibrations and squeaking from old fans.
If money isn’t an issue for you, then what I recommend is that you replace all your equipment with new servers. This is probably the most effective option on the list.
Related Buyer’s Guide: Quietest Hard Drive»
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