Are Gaming PCs Supposed To Be Loud?

You will often hear a faint droning whenever you boot up your laptop or PC, it is simply functional noise, and most of the time, it is not even noticeable enough to be a distraction.

However, sound can also be one of the very first indications to manifest itself whenever something has gone awry with your system.

A gaming PC has many fans and other things running, so yes, it can be loud, but to an extent, and any amount of noise that exceeds the normal level shouldn’t be produced in optimal conditions.

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What Causes The Most Noise In A Gaming Pc? (Diagnosing The Noise)

Nearly all satisfactory working systems are not loud enough to be noticeable, but if your system is making noise enough to drive you to the point of annoyance, something is likely at fault, and you should try and pinpoint the area of trouble so as to devise a working solution.

There can be two main culprits behind the pestering noise, and among them, the foremost reason is the fans.

If the fans are loose, then they vibrate when on and strike against the frame of the computer repeatedly during function. Blockage of fans from dust or something else can also create such noises.

The second culprit behind a loud computer is the hard disc or HDD, and it creates that low droning of an engine.

If it’s noisy, chances are it is old, and to fix it, just replace it with a newer one or swap it with an SSD, and that should be the end of it.

How Much PC Noise Is Normal?

There is no general answer to such a question but let me explain, some PCs are eerily quiet while others are robust, but most of them have faint but slightly noticeable noises.

It depends on your system specs because if you have more fans, there will be more noise, and vice versa. On the other hand, if you are using a water-cooling system, there should hardly be any sounds coming from your PC.

The same concept applies to HDDs & SSDs. More noise if you have an HDD and less if you own an SSD.

How To Make Your Computer Quieter?

A quiet PC is a better alternative, and if there is some way with which one can make his setup calm, then why the hell not?

It is certainly better than hearing your system drone like a jet engine, and I am sure none of us will miss the noise once it’s gone.

Here are some ways to help you see to it properly.

#1- Install Anti-Vibration Fan Mounts

Fan mounts are the things that affix your fans in their accommodation, and as your fans move, they feel the physical effects of their rotations and vibrate.

image of Noctua Anti-Vibration Fan Mounts — Credits: Noctua

This produces an extra sound which can get annoying, and to solve this problem, get anti-vibration rubber fan mounts that absorb all the shock and prevent noise. Personally, I recommend getting better-quality brackets and buckles, too, for your fans.

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#2- Clean Your Fans & Vents

Though you may think it unlikely that the dirt in your system can make it obnoxiously loud, it is more probable than you realize.

Once the dust has settled in your fans, it’ll soon crust on their surface, and after enough time, it will start to deter their rotations.

Dust-caked fans may stop and start abruptly, which can produce a screeching sound in your system, so clean them.

#3- Check Task Manager For Resource Hungry Programs

People often ask what accounts for the noise when they are not doing anything on their computer, and the simple answer to that is that some applications might still be running in the background.

So long as they are running, they will keep accessing memory, GPU, and other resources, which may just be the incentive for the fans to start rotating and hence the noise.

You can see what programs are running in your task manager and can choose to force stop whichever one you like.

#4- Purchase A Quiet Casing

The physical properties of the casing, which encloses all your components, also come into play because it is on the receiving end of all the vibrations that the system components produce.

image of be quiet pc casings — Silent Base 802 PC Case

Casings made of metal and alloy are poor in this regard because metals are sonorous and shriek even at the slightest touch.

Polymer-based casings are a better substitute because they absorb vibration without making a ringing sound.

#5- Considering Liquid Cooling Option

Up until now, we have held the cooling fans as the main culprit behind your noisy system, and considering such a situation, wouldn’t it be better to just get rid of the problem all together?

image of a fully custom water cooled pc — Credits: N7-Falcon

If you substitute your fans for a liquid cooler, I can hardly imagine noise being a problem. Not just that, with a liquid coolant, you will not need to buy anti-vibration fan mounts or need to clean your fans every other month.

#6- Update Graphics Driver in Windows

It is recommended that you regularly update your graphics driver because updating it will see that you get the best performance out of your PC, and the update will also get rid of the malware.

Malware is a reason behind noise because it can cause your CPU to over-exert itself significantly, and you may hear whirring coming out of your casing.

#7- Manage Your Cables

Managing your cables also has a small but direct effect on noise. Consider this, perhaps due to some fault or corrosion in your cables or power supply unit, the required amount of power isn’t met, which can be troublesome.

In such a case, you may even hear warning beeps along with other sounds if your system has such a feature so take care of your cables. Manage them properly so that they are less prone to damage.

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– My Final Verdict:

A quiet PC is a better PC because it feels smoother, more relaxing, and less annoying. Systems often start to get louder as they age, with fans being the most responsible for the noise, followed by the hard drive.

It happens because, in time, fans become loose and gather dirt, but for the hard disc, the loss of lifespan is the only premier reason.

9 times out of 10, a noisy system isn’t anything that you would not be able to solve on your own at home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Why does Apex make my PC loud?

Apex legends is a hefty and resource-hungry game. It will tap into your resources as soon as you turn it on. These resources include CPU, GPU, RAM & HDD/SSD, etc.

If you play apex legends for long intervals, it will heat your PC, and fans will function noisily to bring it back to the optimal temperature.

Question 2: Why does my PC sound like a Jet engine?

There can be plenty of reasons why your PC is noisy the way it is. You could have a loose fan that strikes the casing repeatedly, or it could be covered in dirt.

Your hard disc may be old, and it is also possible that you might simply be over-exerting your system.