Passive coolng audio oriented build

[Andrej]

I`m planing to build completely fan-less pc. Typical usage: Web browsing, HD content playback, audio playback through power amp and driving directly my high impedance headphones (DT-990 Pro), all in complete silence. NO gaming in mind, max some light photo editing. I have to configuration in mind. What can you tell me about them? Will they work fine in 25-28 Celsius ambient temp without overheating? (Just dont laugh, optical is required to burn audio CD`s for my brother, couple times a month). No hard work is in mind. (currently using ASrock ION pc, atom D525 do not satisfy in browsing performance, specially flash beaten sites). Budget about 900. Sites i use for pc part pick is dateks.lv, i live in Latvia, so prices can be different.

[mvitkun]

I`m planing to build completely fan-less pc. Typical usage: Web browsing, HD content playback, audio playback through power amp and driving directly my high impedance headphones (DT-990 Pro), all in complete silence. NO gaming in mind, max some light photo editing. I have to configuration in mind. What can you tell me about them? Will they work fine in 25-28 Celsius ambient temp without overheating? (Just dont laugh, optical is required to burn audio CD`s for my brother, couple times a month). No hard work is in mind. (currently using ASrock ION pc, atom D525 do not satisfy in browsing performance, specially flash beaten sites ). Budget about 900. Sites i use for pc part pick is dateks.lv, i live in Latvia, so prices can be different.

You might want to remove the megashara reference.

 

Also if you're using integrated graphics an AMD APU would be a better choice.

[rhyseyness]

The build below is the better of the two.

I would recommend that you don't buy a sound card, and instead get a desktop DAC and amp.

This will give you much better sound quality.

I'm not sure if you will be able to go totally fanless... Maybe invest in one or two very quiet fans instead?

I'm not sure your PC will even turn on without a fan plugged into the CPU_Fan header.

Also, I'd go for a better cooler at that price. Anything by noctua or BeQuiet!

If you want it to be less expensive, go for the CoolerMaster Hyper 212 evo.

[Andrej]

The build below is the better of the two.

I would recommend that you don't buy a sound card, and instead get a desktop DAC and amp.

This will give you much better sound quality.

I'm not sure if you will be able to go totally fanless... Maybe invest in one or two very quiet fans instead?

I'm not sure your PC will even turn on without a fan plugged into the CPU_Fan header.

Also, I'd go for a better cooler at that price. Anything by noctua or BeQuiet!

If you want it to be less expensive, go for the CoolerMaster Hyper 212 evo.

Well, First of all: APU is useless fo me, i would trade graphics performance for raw power easily (only one 1080p monitor). Second TDP is a major factor too. //// Yes, i agree that DAC and amp would be a better solution, but at what cost? 900 EUR will not make it. /// CPU fan header will stay populated with front 120 mm intake fan with configuration to start only over 70 degrees on CPU, so until that, passive, in case of 70+ - low intake flow.

[Murdoch]

You can't have a silent pc using mechanical drives. It's just not gonna happen. Soon as that green spins up its good game.

[Paralectic]

Is that a passive PSU and CPU Cooler?

[Andrej]

Is that a passive PSU and CPU Cooler?

Yes, both passive with mesh case. // Green HDD spins very quiet,in case, at 2 foot distance it inaudible in my environment (which is very quiet). 

[Paralectic]

Yes, both passive with mesh case. // Green HDD spins very quiet,in case, at 2 foot distance it inaudible in my environment (which is very quiet). 

One thing.

It's cheaper and better to get a laptop hooked up as a desktop, it performs better and quieter for less money.

[Andrej]

My question was: will configuration operate at 25-28 Celsius without overheating, (no overclock, no gaming). Other pros/cons i do understand, so as my budget. Is there anyone with fanless system experience?

[Andrej]

One thing.

It's cheaper and better to get a laptop hooked up as a desktop, it performs better and quieter for less money.

The whole idea is driven by having an audio card of that class in silent reasonably fast machine, notebook does not meet that idea itself.

[Murdoch]

Yes, both passive with mesh case. // Green HDD spins very quiet,in case, at 2 foot distance it inaudible in my environment (which is very quiet).

If you can't hear a WD green spin. I'm pretty sure you wouldn't hear a decent air cooler. My mech drives are far louder than my sp120 fans running at 1000rpm.

So much so that they now stay in my NAS in a different room.

[Paralectic]

The whole idea is driven by having an audio card of that class in silent reasonably fast machine, notebook does not meet that idea itself.

A laptop with a DAC AMP is a fast machine with an audio card.

[ShiverMePenguins]

I`m planing to build completely fan-less pc. Typical usage: Web browsing, HD content playback, audio playback through power amp and driving directly my high impedance headphones (DT-990 Pro), all in complete silence. NO gaming in mind, max some light photo editing. I have to configuration in mind. What can you tell me about them? Will they work fine in 25-28 Celsius ambient temp without overheating? (Just dont laugh, optical is required to burn audio CD`s for my brother, couple times a month). No hard work is in mind. (currently using ASrock ION pc, atom D525 do not satisfy in browsing performance, specially flash beaten sites). Budget about 900. Sites i use for pc part pick is dateks.lv, i live in Latvia, so prices can be different.

some comments: your passive cooler is low quality as is the case. if you want a silent rig you would be much better off building an matx rig using something from fractal instead of plastic cases like that. your sound card is REALLY low quality, asus xonar essence stx is pretty much the only pcie based soundcard that operates well and isn't a raw gimmick, also your wd green drive will be fairly loud if you don't have some kind of rubber mounts for it so consider that as well.

 

and as stated you should get an apu (a-10 7850k or somesuch) and a good mobo instead.

[rhyseyness]

Well, First of all: APU is useless fo me, i would trade graphics performance for raw power easily (only one 1080p monitor). Second TDP is a major factor too. //// Yes, i agree that DAC and amp would be a better solution, but at what cost? 900 EUR will not make it. /// CPU fan header will stay populated with front 120 mm intake fan with configuration to start only over 70 degrees on CPU, so until that, passive, in case of 70+ - low intake flow.

I didn't say anything about APU.

 

Don't buy the soundcard. Spend the money on a decent DAC and amp instead.

Also, buy a less expensive cooler (since you won't be overclocking) and put that money towards a DAC and amp.

 

Use the fan as an actual CPU fan, at a low RPM and it will be near silent.

[ShiverMePenguins]

I didn't say anything about APU.

 

Don't buy the soundcard. Spend the money on a decent DAC and amp instead.

Also, buy a less expensive cooler (since you won't be overclocking) and put that money towards a DAC and amp.

 

Use the fan as an actual CPU fan, at a low RPM and it will be near silent.

since he didn't say anything about what case fans (if any) he'll be using he'll need a good fanless tower. most fanless towers are bad anyway. And on that matter something like a noctua nh-l12 is silent as can be and can cool workstation class cpu's

[rhyseyness]

since he didn't say anything about what case fans (if any) he'll be using he'll need a good fanless tower. most fanless towers are bad anyway. And on that matter something like a noctua nh-l12 is silent as can be and can cool workstation class cpu's

+1

[Leonard]

How will you cool your CPU?