Silent server inside an MS-Tech CI-100 mini-itx case

[adisega]

Components:

Case: MS-Tech CI-100
http://www.ms-tech.de/eng/index.php/pro ... 9/pdid/338
The presentation is not accurate, it's better to read the PDF datasheet.
For more pictures, check out the Spire Powercube 502 - it's the exact same case, with a different front side design.
http://www.spire-corp.com/computer-case ... w-pfc-2u3/
Mods: I have drilled a few holes in order to place the 3.5" HDD on the floor, where the PSU would normally be, and to use a DC-to-DC internal board.

PSU: 65W External power adapter plus internal DC board, from an Antec ISK 300-65.

Motherboard: Asrock Q1900-ITX
http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/Q1900-ITX/

Plus:
16GB DDR3L Crucial SODIMM Memory
128GB Samsung SSD (830)
2TB WD Red HDD

The HDD is the only "noise" source, and only when it's not sleeping (15 min after idle).

Pictures:

[adisega]

I did some power measurements:

11.5W idle (hdd sleep)
14-16W idle (hdd not sleeping)
19-23W hdd and ssd activity (copying stuff)
25W peak (hdd start)

[CA_Steve]

Cool. Is the WD Red mounted on rubber washers? How's the vibration/seek noise?

[adisega]

Yes, the HDD is mounted on rubber washers. You can see one close to the case, in a picture with the HDD.

The vibration is almost completely gone. But I have to put my hand on the case in order to feel a very slight vibration, when the HDD is not asleep. Let's just say it's so small that I don't care about it anymore

The noise is (subjectively) quite a bit lower than when I first mounted the HDD in its original (by design) location, where the PSU is now installed. The decrease in noise is most likely due to killing the vibrations, since the case itself isn't built to keep the noise inside.