Build a silent PC article - neat
 

there:
http://www.hardcoreware.net/reviews/...ilent_pc/1.php

The article is clear and quite well written, it shows how to manage sound level while keeping top performance.
I have a small gripe though, they built a 'quiet' PC, not silent, it still has 2 fans and a 'free' HDD. They could have used:
- a HDD suspensor, which is known to work well with 'cudas
- noise dampening material around the HDD, maybe
- a fanless PSU, or at least a silent 1-fan PSU
It sounds a bit like an ad for Zalman and TT but really no other competitor is currently on this market (silent compenents). Things may change, i hope so.

Hey gmat,

Since you brought up the subject, here is one of my favorites... :D

How-to Build a Quiet Computer

As the title says, these rigs aren't silent, but they are nice and quiet.

RoboTech

hey, gmat :) Hope you're doing well.

You probably don't remember, but I'm the guy just using a copper bucket as the Rad/res in an attempt to go zero-fan. But anyway, water should take care of the CPU & GF4, Zalman passive $8 HS should knock out the NB, which leaves: HDs & PSU. I got an 80GB cuda--which I was sorely dissappointed to find out is barely quieter than my WDs-- which is about as quiet as it gets, right?

Sorry, anyway, I do in fact have a question about these PSUs-- I read the article over at SPCR in which you explained about the whole MOSFETS deal, but I don't think I'm quite ready to WC my PSU. Which brings me to (yes, thats right, my point!! about time, right?) my question: what about these fanless PSUs? Do any of them actually work?

Depends on the power required by your setup. The TK Power PSU is rated at 300W, and if you drain more than 200W i'm quite sure it needs proper cooling.
RSG Electronics make a seemingly sturdier PSU, but you'll have to pay the price ($300 + shipping from Germany).
Deltatronics make a 360W PSU with active PFC (ie top notch), and it's a real looker. However it's a German shop so you'll have to pay for some shipping...

As for "cooling" those PSUs (if used near the power limit) it's quite easy for the TK Power and the RSG Elec. The MOSFETs are on a flat "rail" which is on the side of the PSU, acting as a "heatsink". Just stick a WB on it and it's watercooled...
The Deltatronics one will require a bit of modding (the heatsink has fins) but i'm sure it's possible.

I'll admit i've not searched too much, once i found the 2 German suppliers i stopped. I'll get the Deltatronics. With a bit of searching you might be able to find some in the US... Hint: they are usually found in industrial and embarked systems, like aircraft or hazardous environment machinery...
Oh and thay work well indeed, they're designed for critical applications, and have higher quality components - thus the lesser heat produced... You wouldnt want your aircraft navigation and control systems go down with a crappy PSU heh ? :)

As for HDD you can go further, with suspension + insulation. If you're afraid of high temps get a HDD block (DTek has a copper one) and you're settled :p

PS: good luck on your project, we have the same goals...

If you're really that inerested in making a silent PC, regardless of the possible loss in processing power, and overclocking ability, check out the Silent PC Review there's a desktop style linux box they've got running under load at less than 30dB :eek:
These computers are by no means fast, but at least they provide some interesting ideas for decreasing noise output.

Then again, if processing power isn't your bag, you could always MPI a stack of passively cooled 286-10's ;)