Silent non-gaming system?

[edjog]

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?

 

[edjog]

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?

 

[edjog]

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) ?

 

[edjog]

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!

 

[edjog]

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?

 

[edjog]

Thanks for all your help folks, I finally bought this system:
Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-S2H mobo
AMD 4850e cpu
Corsair 2gb ddr2 800 6400 RAM
Scythe Ninja full copper cooler
Enermax Modu 82+ 425W PSU
Arctic silver
Samsung Spinpoint S 160gb SATA-II HD
Samsung SH-S203 Rewriter
Antec Solo case

It is running totally silent at the moment It is under my desk. If I put my head under I can just hear it. But it is only using the PSU fan. System temp is a steady 42C. CPU temp is a steady 45C.

With case fan and scythe fan turned on sys temp is 29C and CPU temp is 26C. The case fan is the noisiest, with scythe fan almost the same. Both are quiet compared with what I've been used to and I was happy with it like that until I tried it without those. The silence is wonderful! I don't use it for gaming so there won't be much stress on it but I'm hoping there might be a way to connect the scythe fan and get it to switch on at CPU temp of 50C, just so I can feel really safe.

I had no problem installing it with Ubuntu, by the way. Most things are recognized and I could connect to the internet straight away. There's some drivers for audio and video I need to figure out but what I see and hear now is OK. So I am a happy bunny! Thanks again for all the help!