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.
Aluminum wrote: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