silencing a mini-itx

[isme^]

I just built a mini-itx system based off of, intel i945GC + iAtom 330

main specs :

Code: Select all

compucase 8K01BS-SA12U

A-DATA 1GB DDRII 800 128Mx8

WD1600AAJS

intel i945GC + iAtom 330

the problem is that the northbridge and psu fan buzz like horrible wasp swarms in there and in a an otherwise quiet room it gets annoying pretty fast


so i figure that i have 3 options:

1. remove the fans from the nb and psu and hope it doesnt overheat , or maybe add a 120mm fan to the grill of the case , thats directly over the cpu and nb



2. get a pico psu and put better heatsinks the nb and cpu , like the ZM-NBF47 or the nexus NHP-2200

3. get a pico psu ,put better heatsinks the nb and cpu and add a 120mm fan to the grill


so what do you think ?
feel free to make your own suggestions

[sp0n]

You have the right idea. A 120mm fan at that position will cool all that just fine and probably do a much better job than your current setup, and silently. Just be careful -- if you upgrade the heatsinks you may need a slim fan.

I would not advise removing the fan from the psu - that is just asking for trouble. You could cut out the psu fan grill as a temporary measure to provide at least some relief.

[amabhy]

Getting a picoPSU would be a good idea.

I would do the third option, just because some airflow (even a little) is necessary for a tight closed box like your mini-itx case. Luckily your case has a grille right above the heatsinks. But not much is needed, so start out with a low airflow and undervolt.

[greenfrank]

I have the same board with atom 330. I silenced it replacing the heatsink+fan with a zalman passive heatsink



for case airflow i use a 8cm quiet fan, pointing directly to the cpu.

Power is provided by a picopsu 90 + a 80w power brick.

[isme^]

thanks everybody for your help, i made a new thread about what picopsu to get