Silent non-gaming system?

edjog

edjog

edjog

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I want to build a silent system, as in 0db and 0 fans if possible. It's for web design and listening to music, online video etc, and no gaming, so I'll possibly be underclocking rather than overclocking. I've read around and am more confused than ever but here are my first thoughts.

Core2Duo E8400
Scythe Ninja full copper cpu cooler
MSI P35 Diamond fanless motherboard
Gigabyte Geforce 8600 512mb fanless dual-dvi graphics card
2gb stick of ram
Samsung Spinpoint S160gb hard drive (5400rpm)
DVD recorder, maybe audio card depending on mobo audio, lan card, big external hd in next room

I am not sure about the mobo or case and psu. The cpu and ninja combination should not need the fan, I hope, with it not being under load. But a big chunk of copper attached to the cpu sticking out sideways? Doesn't sound so safe to me. However, a desktop case might not have enough space?

Any good ideas on the right cpu/cooler/mobo/case combination?
 
Regarding the heatsink, although it may be heavy, as long as it has been attached properly to the motherboard (I believe the Ninja uses a backplate and then you screw the heatsink to that, making a heatink-motherboard-backplate sandwich) you shouldn't worry.

They wouldn't have made it if they knew it would snap motherboards in half ;)

You are correct in thinking a desktop case wouldn't fit the heatsink so your going to need a tower, how big is up to you.

I've just brought myself a "Coolermaster CM-690 Dominator - Black (No PSU)" and its a very quiet case imo. Even with 6 fans running (2 top, 1 rear, 2 front, 1 side) its not that loud but replacing the fans with even quieter ones would be an added bonus.
 
Thanks. Yeah, I guess there would be horror stories if the copper block broke a few things!

I'm hoping for max of 1 fan actually - just to pull or push some air through onto cpu, graphics card. No fans = no noise if I am correct. Also I have space problems. I could cut up my desk but if I could put the tower on its side it would help, but how does that affect the cooling/air flow etc?
 
Totaly fanless is quite difficult in reality, perhaps settling for below abient might be a better idea and much easier. The reviews i saw of the copper ninja weren't all that great but more importantly the heatsinks designed specifically for passive tend to have much larger fin spacings afaik. Yate loons or another of the quiet fans at 7 volts or even 5 volts would be inaudiable abd a much easier soloution. Rather than having a seperate graphics card would a onboard soloution not be enough? as if you do really want a totally fanless system thats more heat dumped in the case which wil be hard to remove. Also given the tasks you've described might be worth considering a different processor maybe even one of the single core C2D's which have a crazily low 35w tdp and are a lot cheaper.

Unless you live in the middle of nowhere with no ambient noise a few slow spinning fans wont be heard.
 
Best off shooting for a mobile chip, tbh. Either that or a Celeron of some description.

Get hold of an SSD drive, a micro-ATX motherboard and you're sorted. There is absolutely no need for anything remotely hardcore for doing what you've suggest.
 
So is there a motherboard with dual-dvi that will accept a mobile chip or a 35ns chip (I didn't know they existed btw so that's good news) ?
 
totally fanless, in my experience, does not go well with performance unless you have extremely deep pockets. However, back in the day we used to run stuff like P3's fanless, and heatsinks are much better now so you should be able to get a passive cpu.

What i would suggest is that you get a super quiet 120mm fan PSU. this will provide a certain amount of airflow through your case, which will help keep your overall temperatures down - said old days rigs ran with only a 120mm fan in the psu (which i had to do as a mod back then) :)
 
Your spec is a good start, but as said above overkill for what you need.
Visit SPCR for loads of info and a helpfull forum community on silent issues.

I can only help with intel - as never use AMD, but they will underclock more I'm told and the 780G board is very good (five stars for both the asus or Gigabyte).

Gigabyte - GA-8i945GM + T2500 or T7200 (very good stable undervolter board)
Asrock - CONROE945G-DVI + E6420 or lower (onboard DVI bonus)
Or maybe the Asus P5VD2-MX if asrock is not for you

965P-DS3 is also an option if going ATX (give more options if wanting a higher spec rig)
with a passive 6200TC or 7300LE - the 8400/8500 are also options

The ninja is a very good choice run passively – no need for the copper version if undervolting.

PSU – either the excellent Silverstone ST30NF or Fortron Zen (fanless)
or have the psu as the only fan and use any Enermax modu82+ or Corsair HX520(this is what I do with a passive water loop)

Harddrives will probably be your noiseiest part - either use a laptop version with a bungee mod or use a spinpoint and keep it in a GUP Japan holder (spending the money you've saved on the chip).

Case wise - either a midi tower with a fan psu at the top or a desktop case. Buy quality so it doesn't rattle and make sure the ninja fits (case gallery thread might help - and so with the members over in case central)
 
Does it have to be air cooled? or could you stretch your budget for something water based like a Zalman Reserator?

PK!
 
Thanks everybody for all the advice. The 780G board looks about perfect for what I want. I thought of the 4850e and Ninja cooler to go with it.

However, I just realised I have another problem. I just switched to Ubuntu Linux and am very happy with it and do not want to go back to Windows. I've got the windows progs I want running under it (Wine). So I have to check out compatibility and at first glance the 780G is not supported. I might have to wait a bit till it is supported or choose another option. You've all given me plenty to think about and explore for the time being, so I'll investigate further and report back. You guys are great!
 
I think most has been covered by now.

Firstly no computer is silent 0dB is impossible (PSU coils and MOSFETS and other components can make all sorts of weird noises) plus there is always HDD noise.

100% passive is very hard to do, but not much point as long as you keep fan noise UNDER the noise of components as above. A silent 120mm fan in a psu will make everything much cooler. An additional silent fan will help further. By silent 120mm fans, I mean less than ambient noise of your house and PC and typically spinning at <600rpm and de-coupled from the case with rubber mounts.

I know SPCR have rose tinted specs when reviewing Antec stuff, but is the Solo a feasible case option for you?
 
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There's always one isn't there!!

Yeah but, no but.

I considered mentioned SSD in my post for fear of pedants.

OP states he has a sammy spinpoint...ok
 
The Antec Solo is a brilliant, silent case. The only problems I have with it are the piercing blue HDD light (easily fixed) and the fact it won't take anything loner than a 9" graphics card (not applicable to you).

Just be careful about heatsinks too. A Ninja seems to fit, and I have a Thermalright Ultima-90 in mine. The hard drive suspension bays will make any hard drive a lot quieter, but obviously seek noises will always be a problem unless using SSD. I hear the WD Green Power hard drives are pretty quiet on that front.

I'd also recommend Silent PC Review. They're the best of the best, so have a look around there.
 
SSD is still too expensive/small for most of us - quality HDD in an enclosure is best bang for buck and will be for some time.

I'll second the solo case, as it will give an improved accustic to quality hardware straight out of the box.
and save you some time and fun installing your own bungee mod.
 
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Thanks everybody! I've been busy following your suggestions up and I'm getting close now :) Good news about mobo support. It's difficult but possible with the 780G. Ubuntu apparently works well with AMD/nVidia so I looked at this SPC recommended list but the 780G looks just right for me so here's what I'm leaning towards now:

Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-S2H Motherboard
AMD 4850e CPU
Scythe Ninja Copper cooler
Antec Solo case
Antec Phantom psu if one exists
Samsung Spinpoint S 160gb hard drive in an enclosure
Samsung SH-S203D DVD writer

I'd love a solid state drive but maybe next year when they've come down a lot.
The Phantom psu sounds brilliant but there's not even one in the Antec store so I am still not sure which to get.
And does it make any difference what RAM I get, as it won't be overclocked?
 
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