PSU for silent system

dabber · 21 Jan 2013 at 18:48

Any suggestions for a fanless build. I'm thinking of someting round a m-ATX with a nofan CS95c with a holey case (still to decide on that). They are a bit expensive and a lot are not modular.

Best solution I have seen for fanless is the Seasonic X400, but it difficult to get hold of. I don't need a graphics card as I will use the onboard GPU, so high power is not necessary. Any other nice modular PSUs out there for this? The other option would be to run a higher power unit and try to run it in fanless mode eg Xilence XQ Series 850W '80 Plus Platinum' Modular Power Supply.

opstrat · 21 Jan 2013 at 18:54

have a look at psu's that have a minimum load before the fan kicks in, some of corsairs do this, not 100% sure on what others.

by the sound of your system it shouldnt use too much power

Admetos · 21 Jan 2013 at 20:06

How about a Seasonic X 650.

My software development rig pulls around 200 wattage peak, honestly say I never hear the fan from the X650, even better my fan intake has it's own filter and after 2 years it's clean. It's not just quite it's silent in my rig! The Seasonic X series has some of the best voltage regulation also.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-027-SS

smogsy · 21 Jan 2013 at 20:11

whatever you do don't buy a corsair.
Corsair new Logic for HX series

0 FAN till X degree (Great right?)
at X degrees 100% fan Speed for x Minutes Till Temp Drop & repeat.
So my PSU sounds like silent then Transit Van + repeat.
its all over there forums on Corsair Loads of members hate it.

Coathanger · 21 Jan 2013 at 20:24

Smogsy to add to that, their new AX760/860 series seems to be plagued too with coil whine so its not looking to great with Corsair/Seasonic's current range of offerings :S

dabber · 22 Jan 2013 at 14:00

Thanks I'll look at the Seasonic X-650

Coathanger said:
Smogsy to add to that, their new AX760/860 series seems to be plagued too with coil whine so its not looking to great with Corsair/Seasonic's current range of offerings :S

I've searched for coil whine and can't find a common cause, so it may just be down to luck of the draw. The Corsair fan noise is claimed to be by design according to the Corsair forum, so may not affect Seasonic.

passey89 · 22 Jan 2013 at 14:46

be quiet l7 / l8 25dB at 100% load 18dB @ 50%

unleashed · 22 Jan 2013 at 15:28

Pico.....0dB @ all loads

passey89 · 22 Jan 2013 at 15:38

unleashed said:
Pico.....0dB @ all loads

they only go up to 160w though don't they?

Admetos · 23 Jan 2013 at 19:21

dabber said:
Thanks I'll look at the Seasonic X-650

I've searched for coil whine and can't find a common cause, so it may just be down to luck of the draw. The Corsair fan noise is claimed to be by design according to the Corsair forum, so may not affect Seasonic.

Re Seasonic call wine, I own 3 X series and no call wine on these. Never read a review on X series that mentions coil wine either. The X-650's a safe bet if you want low noise / silent operation.

CeePeeBee · 23 Jan 2013 at 22:30

I'll throw my 2 penneth into this discussion....I have ought the Seasonic X Series 650W 80 Plus Gold PSU and whilst idle it's quiet. When you through something heavy at it, it's not quiet at all.

I'm happy enough with it, but still...not silent.

dacads · 24 Jan 2013 at 00:53

Seasonic do some fanless PSUs too

unleashed · 24 Jan 2013 at 06:33

passey89 said:
they only go up to 160w though don't they?

Yes, but if you are using on board graphics 160W or less should be more than sufficient.

Admetos · 24 Jan 2013 at 19:52

CeePeeBee said:
I'll throw my 2 penneth into this discussion....I have ought the Seasonic X Series 650W 80 Plus Gold PSU and whilst idle it's quiet. When you through something heavy at it, it's not quiet at all.

I'm happy enough with it, but still...not silent.

But the OP only has a low power computer. As mentioned my main machine only has a 200w requirement and I never hear the 650 become active. Loudest item in that computer is 5400rpm HDD motor.