In combination, the custom side panel and duct design provided a massive noise reduction compared to the stock configuration, particularly in lower fan speed ranges. We have measured around 7 dB(A) lower noise levels at around 50% fan speed, and up to 5 dB(A) lower at higher fan speeds, when compared at the same APU operating temperature.
While the custom side panel with our signature Noctua grill as well as the custom fan duct are not slated for mass production at this point, we are more than happy to share the 3D CAD files for everyone who is looking to make their Framework Desktop run even quieter.
Both the custom side panel and the customised fan ductare available to download at Printables.com for you to 3D-print at home
It’s a bit of a tradeoff. That side panel has much larger holes that will allow in more dust and hair.
The holes of the original look big enough to not be doing much filtration for dust other than by passively reducing airflow tbh - seems like it serves as more of a finger guard than a dust filter.
I’d definitely be interested in seeing a comparison of the two that includes dust buildup though. I assume there’s probably an as-of-yet unused design which would do a better job of balancing dust filtration and airflow than the original pattern.
The smaller the hole is, the more filtering it does.
Yes, but the shape of the holes/grille also significantly affects acoustics, so it’s not simply a 1D scale for hole size scaling between “maximum airflow” and “maximum dust filtration”. I personally doubt the stock side panel is maximally efficient for the balance between airflow vs dust vs acoustics, and thus don’t think Noctua’s modded panel is purely “we made the holes bigger” improvement.
This article is very old but still gives an idea of things: https://www.pugetsystems.com/labs/articles/Effects-of-Grill-Patterns-on-Fan-Performance-Noise-107/
I really don’t understand why PCs don’t use filters today.
I swap out fans and replace them with centrigual units, which can handle the restriction of standard washable air conditioner filter media.
Machines stay much cleaner this way.
Because filters restrict airflow.
Like I said, if you use a centrifugal fan it doesn’t restrict airflow.
Every air handler on the planet uses a centrifugal fan with a filter because they can generate vacuum/pressure.
That makes no sense. Anything you put the air through causes a restriction.
They mean the fan is rated for that amount of restriction, and will still move a decent cfm of air. Regular pc fans will drop cfm very quickly when there’s any restriction.
It doesn’t matter what it’s rated for. The basic principle doesn’t change.
Some fan designs handle restrictions much better than others. PC fans will drop to basically zero airflow with a moderate restriction, while centrifugal fans will still move a decent amount of air with that same restriction.
And yet, once again, the principle doesn’t change. More restriction = less flow.
Probably because people are lazy and won’t clean the filters, and after a few months they wouldn’t have any airflow. Without the filter you still get dust, hair, etc, but it takes longer to get to the point where the computer is overheating for those people who do zero maintenance.
It’s kind of like how some gas lawn mowers are being sold with “lifetime” oil that doesn’t need to be changed. It’s not better, unless you’re the kind of person who wouldn’t do any maintenance anyway.