Suggestions on quieting down my current setup...

[dipnemt9]

Hello,

Currently have the following:

Case and PSU:
[1] SilverStone SG06

Motherboard:
[2] Foxconn H67S

CPU:
[3] Intel Core i3 3220T

PCIe Card:
[4] Intel Gigabit ET2 Quad Port Server Adapter


Also used in the case, a notebook drive 5400rpm if I recall correctly.
And 4GB of memory.


[1] http://www.silverstonetek.com/product.p ... 27&area=en

[2] http://www.foxconnchannel.com/ProductDe ... -us0000515

[3] http://ark.intel.com/products/65694/Int ... e-2_80-GHz

[4] http://ark.intel.com/products/49187/Int ... er-Adapter


The system is used as a router, using pfSense. The noise is not too bad
as is, but is the nosiest thing in the room. After testing it seems like
the stock Intel CPU fan[worst of all] and PSU are the offenders. The
front stock fan is not that bad. Would like to quiet it down as much as
possible; in the cheapest way possible. The following is what I have
considered thus far:

1. Keep using the current components, get a quieter CPU cooler and a
picoPSU.

For CPU cooler the Noctua NH-L12 Low Profile Cooler[1], which is
compatible with the Foxconn motherboard.

For picoPSU[2], not sure what kit I should get. Thinking of
getting the picoPSU-160-XT + 192W Adapter Power Kit[3]. Even if
that wattage is not needed now, but to have more headroom for
future use? Or would the picoPSU-150-XT + 102W Adapter Power Kit[4]
suffice for my needs?


[1] http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=prod ... =46&lng=en

[2] http://www.mini-box.com/s.nl/sc.8/category.1097/it.C/.f

[3] http://www.mini-box.com/picoPSU-160-XT- ... -Power-Kit

[4] http://www.mini-box.com/picoPSU-150-XT-102-power-kit


2. Get a fanless case, use current motherboard or thin mini-itx
motherboard and a power adapter.

FC8 Alpha Fanless Chassis[1]. Looks like should work with my
current motherboard as well.

For thin mini-itx motherboard, was considering Intel Desktop Board
DQ77KB[2]. But after reading the following in this thread[3], this
will not work. The Intel Gigabit ET2 Quad Port Server Adapter uses
the 82576 controller. Do not know what else to consider, that is
similar to the DQ77KB.

Its a great board for certain uses, its hard to find
anything close to it in power/features/price for a DIY micro server.
(not atom, not soldered overpriced laptop cpu, truly VT-d capable) The
dual intel nics is a huge space saver, although the 82579LM has driver
concerns for some stuff.

The only similar stuff I've seen is a small 1U supermicro barebones
with mobile i7, QM77 and ECC, but totally different price class.

Another caveat, if you plan to use expansion cards make sure yours is
compatible. I ran into issues with server NICs (even intel chipset)
for example: my 82571 dual and quads work, 82575/6 does not. Planning
to test an i350 soon.

Not sure if anyone has tried a LSI controller yet, but that would be
another big one to check. (2008 most common) Then again the drive
power limit might be why no one has.

Intel won't help on this kind of stuff if it doesn't work, its
specifically under their desktop and NOT server style support,
something to keep in mind.

If it could do ECC it would be the golden gift to super SFF servers,
one can dream. (e.g. a full blown fairly powerful production ESXi box
you could throw in a briefcase)

3. 19v/8.4A 160 Watt AC-DC Power Adapter[4].


[1] http://www.streacom.com/products/fc8-al ... s-chassis/

[2] http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ ... q77kb.html

[3] viewtopic.php?f=13&t=65699

[4] http://www.mini-box.com/19v-8-4A-160-Wa ... er-Adapter


3. Same as 1. but with a thin mini-itx motherboard.


*NOTE: Reason for the thin mini-itx, could use the Foxconn motherboard
elsewhere.


Any feedback, suggestions, etc...; would be appreciated.

Thank You

[CA_Steve]

Welcome to SPCR.

I'm sure others will step in and post...I just have one quick comment. Silverstone says the SG06 is limited to an 82mm tall cooler, the Noctua L-12 is 93mm tall - you'd have to do without the top fan. Not a big deal, especially if you can cram the larger fan underneath. I don't expect your CPU to be highly utilized as a router, so not a lot of power/heat to dissipate. An alternative is the Scythe Big Shuriken 2 Rev B.

Ok, two quick comments. Did you check to see if the Foxconn board is controlling the CPU fan? Maybe it's just running at full tilt. At idle, the stock cooler noise isn't tooo bad.

[quest_for_silence]

Would like to quiet it down as much as
possible; in the cheapest way possible.

Silverstone ST-30SF Bronze and
FanCon or fancontrol

Any feedback, suggestions, etc...; would be appreciated.

Whether that stock cooler were obtrusive even when dialed down, according to you, a Scythe Big Shuriken 2 Rev. B could be a best bet than any Noctua, price-wise.

[dipnemt9]

Welcome to SPCR.

I'm sure others will step in and post...I just have one quick comment.
Silverstone says the SG06 is limited to an 82mm tall cooler, the Noctua
L-12 is 93mm tall - you'd have to do without the top fan. Not a big
deal, especially if you can cram the larger fan underneath. I don't
expect your CPU to be highly utilized as a router, so not a lot of
power/heat to dissipate.

Thanks and yes that is another reason to replace the stock PSU to a
picoPSU. To have more clearance for a taller CPU cooler and of course no
noise from the PSU.

An alternative is the Scythe Big Shuriken 2 Rev B.

I considered the Scythe Big Shuriken 2 Rev B, but currently out of stock
or overpriced where I looked. In Newegg's marketplace is a ripoff,
one vendor is asking $94.95 heh. Amazon and FrozenCPU[not including
shipping] are asking about $45, but out of stock. Ncixus and some others
have it priced about $35[not including shipping] and out of stock as
well. The only place that I found that has it in stock currently is
QuietPCUSA, for about $37 but shipping to me is about $13.

The Noctua NH-L12 is currently about $61 shipped at Amazon. So it makes
more sense currently to go with the Noctua.

Ok, two quick comments. Did you check to see if the Foxconn board is
controlling the CPU fan? Maybe it's just running at full tilt. At idle,
the stock cooler noise isn't tooo bad.

Indeed when not using Foxconn's "Smart Fan Function" it is very loud.
This is already turned on, why I commented before "The noise is not too
bad as is, but is the nosiest thing in the room." Forgot to mention this
in the original post. There some settings to play with there, but not
sure what they do. The BIOS and manual do not explain what they do, just
some vague comments.

Silverstone ST-30SF Bronze and
FanCon or
fancontrol

Looked at that Silverstone ST-30SF Bronze, as far as I can tell it is
very similar to the stock PSU, but with a silent fan. For the price a
picoPSU is a better option, even if it is about $10 more. Using a
picoPSU will allow a taller CPU cooler and no noise.

Whether that stock cooler were obtrusive even when dialed down,
according to you, a Scythe Big Shuriken 2 Rev. B could be a best bet
than any Noctua, price-wise.

Please read my reply to CA_Steve above. Agreed if the price difference
was much greater, currently it is not.


So currently the Noctua NH-L12 and a picoPSU make the most sense. Not
sure which picoPSU to get tho and some are not even in stock. Also
thought perhaps could get away with running the Noctua NH-L12
fanless/passively?

Apologies, should have included some of the information above in the
original post. Also I said "cheapest way possible"; should have said the
cheapest way possible, but would spent a little more if it makes more
sense.

Thank You

[quest_for_silence]

For the price a picoPSU is a better option, even if it is about $10 more.

Is it better with reference to what?

Using a picoPSU will allow a taller CPU cooler and no noise.

That's a somehow groundless statement: I use the BigShuriken on a much hotter Phenom II X6 and still got no noise.

Please read my reply to CA_Steve above. Agreed if the price difference
was much greater, currently it is not.

Please, note the conditional tense I intentionally used: I cannot know in advance any local price all over the world. It could be: or it could not be as well.

And, as you noted below, with reference to your needs your preferred options imply a waste of money (I say so with reference to your "quiet it down as much as
possible;in the cheapest way possible", but I mean that a Pico + Noctua combo isn't quieter than a Scythe + Silverstone one, but it's more expensive).

Noctua NH-L12 fanless/passively?

It's not designed to run so, but on a router I guess you may even take that risk (please note: taking that risk is IMO pointless).

but would spent a little more if it makes more sense.

Actually it makes you happier, but apparently it makes no more sense.

[dipnemt9]

Is it better with reference to what?

Compared to using SFX PSU that has a fan.

That's a somehow groundless statement: I use the BigShuriken on a much
hotter Phenom II X6 and still got no noise.

It may be, but a picoPSU does not make any noise. Nothing against using
Big Shuriken, just from what I read here; the reviews for each cooler.
Was just thinking since the difference in price is not that great, why
not get the better cooler?

Please, note the conditional tense I intentionally used: I cannot know
in advance any local price all over the world. It could be: or it could
not be as well.

And, as you noted below, with reference to your needs your preferred
options imply a waste of money (I say so with reference to your
"quiet it down as much as possible;in the cheapest way possible",
but I mean that a Pico + Noctua combo isn't quieter than a Scythe
+ Silverstone one, but it's more expensive).

Actually it makes you happier, but apparently it makes no more
sense.

Indeed why in replying repeatedly said "currently". Would it not be
better to forgo a fan whenever possible? If the price gap was much
bigger, choosing the lower priced option would be easier. Let's
forget the word "cheapest" was used, which would you choose and why?


Current pricing[including shipping]:

Silverstone ST30SF = $55

picoPSU-150-XT + 102W Adapter Power Kit = $59*
*Assuming this will be enough for my needs.

Scythe Big Shuriken 2 Rev. B = $50.15

Noctua NH-L12 = $61


Silverstone ST30SF + Scythe Big Shuriken 2 Rev. B = $105.15

picoPSU-150-XT + 102W Adapter Power Kit + Noctua NH-L12 = $120

It's not designed to run so, but on a router I guess you may even take
that risk (please note: taking that risk is IMO pointless).

Thought as much, just wanted to see others thought on this.

FanCon or
fancontrol

Forgot to mention in my previous reply. pfSense[1] is based on FreeBSD.
Knew about fancontrol, not about FanCon; will keep these in mind if
needed for use with Linux.

[1] https://www.pfsense.org/

Thank You

[quest_for_silence]

Is it better with reference to what?

Compared to using SFX PSU that has a fan.

Yes, I am aware that you're comparing those two options: I asked you under which respects that Pico should be supposedly better.

That's a somehow groundless statement: I use the BigShuriken on a much
hotter Phenom II X6 and still got no noise.

It may be,

No, it is: I think there's a difference. Apparently you don't have any experience about that Noctua, the Shuriken, and that Pico, and you are inferring your own conclusions just on paper and thin air.
The Shuriken is perfectly silent with those loads, period. That's my first hand experience.

On the other hand, if you like the aesthetics or the build quality of the NH-L12, then go for it (I did the same with lots of hw pieces which didn't offer better results, but which I liked a lot), but you won't get a "better" silence with it.

but a picoPSU does not make any noise.

Picos are not meant/designed to be used 24/7: just this fact will prevent me to use it on a server (ok, a router/firewall).
But above all you don't know your noise floor: all you know is that pfSense box is the most noticeable thing around: by how much you need to dial that noise down? Apparently you don't know, and on the other hand neither you said that any other hardware there is passively cooled.

Would it not be better to forgo a fan whenever possible?

No: heath is the bane of any electronics.
I started lots of years ago with an all passive rig: sorry, it isn't the panacea, that's what I've learnt (as well as, for what is worth, lots of regulars here, including our gentle host MikeC). Not to mention you're going to have from 2 to 4 other fans in that rig, reusing that case, so it seems rather pointless getting rid of the PSU fan.

which would you choose and why?

More probably that not I won't use a Pico 24/7, so I'd go with the Silverstone (or a Chieftec SFX-L), and then I would be forced to get rid of the too tall NH-L12.
And if I wanted to go passive come hell or high waters, probably I would totally rebuild that rig, without re-using any part.

picoPSU-150-XT + 102W Adapter Power Kit = $59*
*Assuming this will be enough for my needs.

It's much more than you need, unless that Intel NIC were a real power hungry beast.

Forgot to mention in my previous reply. pfSense[1] is based on FreeBSD.
Knew about fancontrol, not about FanCon; will keep these in mind if needed for use with Linux.

Well I'm sorry: I was too shabby/shallow about that, and didn't checked the pfSense environment, please accept my apologies.

Probably there's no software option which can help you (I've heard of a small BSD package used to dial down fans on Lenovo/Thinkpad), so you have to rely solely upon the Foxconn BIOS capabilities.

[dipnemt9]

After some more reading and thinking. Have come to similar a conclusion,
Thank You for your input, has helped me a lot!

1. So one option is to keep my current components and go with the
Silverstone ST30SF + Scythe Big Shuriken 2 Rev. B combo.


2. Since was thinking of reusing the Foxconn motherboard on another
build and perhaps the Silver SG06 case. I'm open for any suggestions
reusing the 3220T CPU, with something else; preferably using a thin
mini-itx motherboard. For a case, would prefer something smaller if
possible; nothing bigger than the SG06. Does need to have at least one
PCI slot, for the NIC.


Here are my current thoughts:

After some reading, it seems the Intel DQ77KB motherboard could work
just fine with pfSense and the quad port NIC. The NIC issue mentioned
before seems to affect VMware ESX and Linux only. Will do some more
reading on this to see if that is the case.

The Intel DQ77KB motherboard fits my needs, why I'm considering it. This
should be fine running 24/7, even tho it uses on board power? Not sure
on this, more reading is needed to confirm this.

And IF wanted to go passively what would be your suggestion?

Thank You

[quest_for_silence]

And IF wanted to go passively what would be your suggestion?

You already pointed out one of the few solutions available (given the size limits and the presence of a PCIE card), and a rather good one: the FC8, paired with an high efficiency brick, perhaps a FSP Q90 Plus (please take note that I didn't double checked it).

By the way, for a pure pfSense job, couldn't a 7-10W BayTrail (like a J1900 or C35X0 platform) be a viable solution? Power and thermal wise that would seem a better thought option than a regular 1155 platform.

[dipnemt9]

You already pointed out one of the few solutions available (given the
size limits and the presence of a PCIE card), and a rather good one: the
FC8, paired with an high efficiency brick, perhaps a FSP Q90 Plus
(please take note that I didn't double checked it).

Found out that Wesena[1] is the possible OEM version of the Streacom
cases. At a much lower price[2] and they also have a house version under
a different name[FLM-8-BLACK, [3] for the same price. All three look
like the same case just using different names, but the OEM versions at a
much lower price. These are the FC8 EVO, not the new Alpha version.

[1] http://wesena.com/en/index.php
[2] http://shop.perfecthometheater.com/FC8- ... -Black.htm
[3] http://shop.perfecthometheater.com/FLM- ... -Black.htm

By the way, for a pure pfSense job, couldn't a 7-10W BayTrail (like a
J1900 or C35X0 platform) be a viable solution? Power and thermal wise
that would seem a better thought option than a regular 1155
platform.

Yes, those could work. At the time of the build[2011] that is what was
chosen; originally was using a Sandy Bridge Intel Celeron G530, just got
that 3220T recently for a very good price. Also using a i3 over a lower
power CPU allows for using more packages, more headroom and something
that should last much longer[not that the future can be predicted ]

Have gotten about 4 years use out this setup. Was not planing on
touching that setup, could not pass up on the 3220T. Once the switch to
3220T was made, wanted to quiet it down. Even tho have lived with this
amount of noise, for all that time.

After further reading the Intel DQ77KB motherboard will not work with
the Intel Gigabit ET2 Quad Port Server Adapter. So need to find
something similar, if going fanless. Will continue to research all this.

Thank You