Cheap and passive cooled small server machine

[Cryolite]

Hello,

 

I figured out lately that i have unused CoolerMaster N200, not even unpacked etc. So how to use it when i have 6 PC in home and family like to watch movies from internet. I decided to build up small file sharing/media center machine, based on linux distribution. The problem is - room with router is pretty calm, unfortunately while my home was build, ISP got a cable to my sleeping room (hey, it wasn't sleeping room before!). I really would love to sleep without any noise so this machine needs to be completely calm, silent, passive cooled.

 

What i have right now:

- CM N200 case (already removed all fans from it)

- Kingston V300 240gb SSD

 

What i need:

- Older parts like CPU and motherboard with integrated GPU which can be completely passive cooled - mobo needs to be microATX to fit case.

- Passive PSU

 

If you give parts name, i will note if some of them not ship to Poland.

 

Your ideas how to build this. I am not specialist in building such machines, only thing what i can do is take parts and build up normal PC (without water cooling implementation).

I could buy older parts from auction sites, it's not a problem, they don't need to be new and top tier, i am aiming for really cheap budget setup. Custom made parts are not a problem, i am living in small village so a lot of handwork here :). Right now i was thinking to cut top of my N200 and replace it with anti-dust airy material, same thing to side parts so case will have way better air flow.

 

Anything else - i appreciate every help and ideas. Whenever i will build this, i will share vLog/pictures with you and performance tests.

 

Cheers!

Michael

[Trav_X]

If you are using that case, I'd suggest at least using a CPU cooler with like a be quiet cooler, like a Shadow Rock LP or Pure rock. You don't NEED fans for CPU, but it'd just be easier. 

 

http://pcpartpicker.com/products/cpu-cooler/overall-list/#F=1

 

here is PCPP for fan less coolers, jsut choose the cheapest ones or read some reviews on them. Prolimatech makes good fan-less designs.

[Quaker]

That case isn't designed to be passively cooled, so I would suggest you put at least one fan in it. If the included fans are too loud, you could get a "quiet" fan.

 

You could use some sort of basic passively cooled motherboard and CPU combo such as:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157714

 

which uses an external power "brick" instead of a regular power supply.

 

(The case supports mini-ITX.)

 

[Cryolite]

3 hours ago, Quaker said:

That case isn't designed to be passively cooled, so I would suggest you put at least one fan in it. If the included fans are too loud, you could get a "quiet" fan.

 

You could use some sort of basic passively cooled motherboard and CPU combo such as:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157714

 

which uses an external power "brick" instead of a regular power supply.

 

(The case supports mini-ITX.)

 

 

That's amazing point. External PSU is not a problem for me. Mobo looks great, i don't look much for CPU since its usage will be minimal anyway.

Didn't knew that my case supports mini-ITX, good point, thanks for it.

 

About this one fan, if i for example put one at back, which one would you recommend from this "quiet" once?

 

Thanks a lot for help, appreciate it!

Michael.

[Quaker]

19 hours ago, Cryolite said:

About this one fan, if i for example put one at back, which one would you recommend from this "quiet" once?

If I understand that correctly, I'd suggest you just try one of the original fans. If it seems too noisy, then try something like:

http://www.ncix.com/detail/fractal-design-silent-series-r2-ea-71008.htm

 

or,

http://www.ncix.com/detail/noctua-nf-f12-pwm-120mm-ultra-29-66920.htm