Building a small sound-proof box for a loud computer - what material?

[username132]

I want to build a sound-proof box for a loud computer (a cryptocurrency ASIC). The box will be lined with 30 mm closed-cell sound-deadening foam marketed for use in vehicles. I've built one already from 25 mm MDF (£36 for 1220 mm x 2440 mm at B&Q) but I would like to know whether there's a better alternative material (25 mm HDF is a thing but seems harder to get). I expect that I'm probably already using the most practical material but wanted to check.

I do have some bathroom tiles that have been in a cupboard since I moved in. I suppose I could line the box with those (betwixt the MDF and foam; I've read they're kind of sound-reflective due to hardness and smoothness)

 

[bernardgreen]

Your diagram you posted is not strictly a sound proof box, depending on the actual size if the air ways it is more likely to be a sound absorbing chamber.

The internal walls will need to absorb sound, not reflect it. Hence line the air ways with soft material.

the bottom half of paper mache egg boxes absorb a lot of sound for near zero cost..

look for information on anechoic chambers

 

[Tigercubrider]

A colleague has a home studio above his garage and investigated soundproofing his computer. He is an audiophile sound engineer who also runs his own business specialising in voice overs or classical concerts
He is fussy

He investigated sound proof boxes that are designed for computers and designing his own but ended up relocating the whole computer through the floor on a swing down bracket. All connections were cabled though the floor (with soundproofing) including a remote start

Any ventilation in a box allows noise to exit- if building a box consider water cooling

 

[TicTac]

Change the case or the fans. You can't soundproof a computer effectively, because you still need ventilation for it.

 

[username132]

Your diagram you posted is not strictly a sound proof box, depending on the actual size if the air ways it is more likely to be a sound absorbing chamber.

The internal walls will need to absorb sound, not reflect it. Hence line the air ways with soft material.

the bottom half of paper mache egg boxes absorb a lot of sound for near zero cost..

look for information on anechoic chambers

The sound needs to be reflected AND absorbed. The 30 mm foam I mentioned in the first post is there to absorb the sound; I need to keep the sound bouncing around inside the box until it's been absorbed as much as reasonably possible.

Change the case or the fans. You can't soundproof a computer effectively, because you still need ventilation for it.

The computer looks like this; what case would I change that to? The fans are very high-speed at 6000 rpm and are already pretty high-quality (made by DELTA) and they need to send the expected rpm signals back to the controller or it won't function without customising the firmware which is beyond me.

My design does not eliminate ventilation and I don't need to adbsorb every single soundwave; I'm just trying to attenuate it as much as practically and economically possible.

 

[foxhole]

Agree with tic tax, it’s only noisy because of inefficient cooling , any box is going to make it run hotter, needs water cooling if it’s a powerful machine .

 

[motorbiking]

I'd check your estimated profit vs power consumption.. Personally I'd be looking at some old xeon rack mounts and perhaps a 6U rack in a garage or shed. Pretty cheap used. One of my cusomer's chucking out some old 12 core Xeons which they were skipping and I'm in the process of turning them in to something handy.

 

[magicmushroom666]

I think MDF is reasonable for this, and other box materials wont make a significant difference. The best idea would be to re-locate it to where the noise doesn't matter, in the loft? out in a shed?
I wouldn't change the fans to silent types, high power units are always going to be noisy, anything quiet wont have the same output.

Car exhaust pipes on intake and exit to the box!?

 

[TicTac]

Is this a bit mining computer. I've tried to find details of it, but just get crypto currency sites instead. Send us some more details, and then we might be able to suggest ideas.

 

[motorbiking]

google antminer and you'll find them.. The thing is cryptos are evolving and some of these dedicated designs might become obsolete quickly

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I'd check your estimated profit vs power consumption..

 

[ban-all-sheds]

they need to send the expected rpm signals back to the controller or it won't function without customising the firmware which is beyond me.

Please don't be surprised or disappointed if cryptocurrency mining at a profit is likewise beyond you.

My design does not eliminate ventilation

Just as well.

 

[bernardgreen]

Have you thought of digging for gold or oil in your garden, that might be a more sucessful way to make a profit.

I admit that I have no idea about how one "mines for bit coins" but to me one thing looks a bit strange. What does this massive amount of computing ( mining ) power connect to. What sort of "broadband" connection is needed to connect the machine to the mining area.

 

[motorbiking]

it’s computationally intensive not data intensive. The process is easier to explain in terms of a bank vault. You deposit £1000 in the bank and they invest it for you to give you interest. They lend £1 to a 1000 people, they keep a ledger of where your money is and how much you’ve earned. With a crypto the process is electronic but the ledger must be secure so it is encrypted and duplicated to prevent people making up free money or steeling money. Mining is the process of being part of the distributed and duplicated ledger. The computer stores the encrypted “money” and its place in the ledger. For that service you are paid a small commission.

 

[bernardgreen]

I will remain as a dinosaur and use real money,