Noctua makes the Framework Desktop PC Quieter
Have you heard about the new Framework Desktop PC? It’s pretty cool because it’s the first desktop to use a laptop processor—specifically, the AMD Ryzen AI Max APU. This chip is a beast; it’s super fast and has powerful integrated graphics that can even handle some pretty demanding games. Plus, it’s great for creative work and AI tasks since it can use a ton of memory.
Noctua is a partner on the project, and their first step was helping Framework integrate our NF-A12x25 fan and a fan duct to make the PC much quieter. But Noctua wondered if it could make it even more silent, so Noctua decided to try something new. Noctua took the signature Noctua fan grill design that it used on the Seasonic Prime power supply and adapted it for the Framework PC.
The main challenge was making sure the new grill still met all the safety requirements, which are different for a full PC compared to an internal component. The rules state that the vent openings on the side of the case have to be less than 5mm wide. So, Noctua designed a new version of the grill with more struts and smaller openings to comply with those standards. Noctua also created a special funnel-shaped fan duct to work with the new grill, making sure it gets the most out of the air vents.
The results were awesome. When Noctua combined the new side panel and duct, the PC became way quieter, especially at lower fan speeds. Noctua measured about a 7 dB(A) noise reduction at 50% fan speed and up to 5 dB(A) quieter at higher speeds, all while keeping the same temperature.
Even though Noctua isn’t planning to mass-produce these parts right now, Noctua is sharing the 3D CAD files for free! So, if you have a 3D printer, you can print the custom side panel and fan duct yourself to make your Framework Desktop run a lot quieter. The quality of 3D printing is so good these days that you can end up with a really clean-looking panel.
Noctua also looked at other ideas, like adding another fan or using a different Noctua fan model. Interestingly, adding a second fan didn’t help much—it lowered temperatures a little, but it also made the PC louder, so Noctua doesn’t recommend that setup. Noctua also found that while its new NF-A12x25 G2 fan is a little quieter than the one that comes with the PC, it doesn’t have the same performance headroom since it has a lower max speed. The high-speed fan that’s included is a safeguard to ensure the PC can handle the worst-case scenarios, like high temperatures. So, Noctua would only suggest the fan upgrade if you want the absolute quietest PC and are willing to sacrifice some performance in extreme situations.
To sum it all up, Noctua learned that not all tweaks make sense, but if you have a 3D printer, swapping out the stock side panel and fan duct is a great way to make the Framework Desktop PC significantly quieter.
Both the custom side panel and the customised fan duct are available to download at Printables.com for you to 3D-print at home:
- Custom side panel with Noctua-style fan grill
- Custom fan duct to make best use of the custom side panel
