I haven't tried my Seagate Momentus outside the Scythe enclosure (bought both at exact same time). The Momentus + Scythe combo is silent even when hard mounted. I also had a Caviar SE16 + the bigger version of the Scythe enclosure, and tested the effect of the enclosure. Caviar SE16 naked (resting o...

That's one of the cleanest rigs I've seen yet. I've seen lots of LL A05 builds, but yours takes the cake. Thanks! I've seen a few A05 (from the 100+ page hardocp thread) that I really envy, but most of them are not would not pass the SPCR test ;) I think there are a few things that could be done to...

1. The case sits on the floor about 1.5 feet away from my char (meaasured from front of case to my chair). I don't feel any warm air at all. Most of the exhaust is through the top. I can feel some warm air (under heavy load only) if I put my hands right over the blowhole, but its effects cannot be f...

This is my main computer now, had to replace power supply from EarthWatts 500w to Enermax Modu82+ 525w because the former PSU developed high pitched whining problem at low load. Now, I'm very happy with the setup. The entire cooling setup and power supply are all SPCR recommended :) I'm sure the sto...

Found this review (conclusion page) : http://www.mikhailtech.com/Reviews/Nexus/BeamAir/page4 I am pleased that such a simple device can actually make a difference, like a half of a degree celsius.[...]In IDLE, the difference was even higher, almost a degree ... ok... half a degree.... ONE single de...

rpsgc wrote:Modular
Sleeved cables
2xPEG connectors

How is this a "value" PSU again?



Though a PSU that short is prone to heating a lot, no? Therefore it might not be as quiet? Unless it really is super efficient.

Specs doesn't say its modular o_O

http://www.nexustek.nl/NXS-silentpowersupplies.htm

Looks somewhat promising:
1. Quieter than NX-40x0 by Nexus' measurements.
2. Smaller than typical ATX PSU. Light weight?

Even though the unit is a "value" model, Nexus products tend to be a bit expensive here in Canada. I'd pay up to $60 for it.

I used the Kama Flex 2000rpm version. Its basically an 80mm version of the S-Flex. http://www.scythe-eu.com/en/products/fans/kama-flex-80mm.html Currently, my EA-500D is powering: Q6600 CPU ( 3.08ghz / 1.3vcore ) 7900GS GPU 2x 2GB RAM 1x 320gb notebook drive 1x DVD burner The Kama fan (controlled by...

On the bottom of case, it helps isolate the hard drive. If I didn't have the foam, I'd have to use thicker "feet" to separate the drive from the bottom of case - this might not be as secure. As for the side panels, the foam covers some holes which I deemed unneccessary. This lowers the noise just a ...

Yeah, it was http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php? ... od%2FSmart

average_joe wrote:Nice foam. But that drive must get hot, can't see any fan close to it.

If 40c counts as hot, then its hot It does get some residual air flow since some air is pulled through near the bottom of the case.

Updates Hard drive mounted on bottom of case. I added little felt feet to give a little bit of clearance between the drive and the foam. The drive is very secure, so I am not afraid to ship this computer by air :) Also, I changed the fan mount to reduce vibration - it is cheap and effective. http:/...

Antec EarthWatts 380w/430w/500w are very good values. Reasonably quiet stock. The fan controller and efficiency are good, so it is a good candidate for a fan swap - then the unit becomes practically silent.

It is also cheap enough that voiding the warranty isn't a big issue.

Out of curiosity, why did you tape off the side intake? Wouldn't having the side intake directly over the heatsink help cool your CPU since you are using a top-down heatsink?

I am using an NSK4480 also, but with Ultima-90 tower heatsink. Taping off the side intake does help airflow a bit in my case.

Nice cans. This PC will be used with digital out into the audio system? I'd put the Quiet Drive on the case floor with Sorbothane. Tie it down with Stretch Magic so that it cannot come loose, and you'll have quality isolation with reasonable security. Thanks :) Stello DA100 and AudioSector Integrat...

I usually get a few 1w resistor with values between 50-150 ohms and then see how fast the fan spins with them. I guess the advantage over using a zerner diode is that there are more values to play with? I spy with my little eyes, something called Grado RS1! Very nice. What's the other one you have t...

I had enough extra parts to build another computer. This one will soon be sent to my parents to replace their current silent computer (a passive computer built from Pentium M 1.3Ghz laptop parts). Right now though, I use this computer in my music system. (update in this post ) Parts Case : Antec NSK...

I just ordered a Momentus 7200.3 320gb drive, along with a Scythe Quiet Drive 2.5 enclosure for $120 total. Hope it will be a good balance of silence, performance, and value.

Is there some reason you feel like contradicting yourself? I was simply chiming in with you that the 1200RPM version running at lower voltages is a fine fan. The other poster seemed confused about the db rating significance of the more easily found slipstream model but if you want to retract your s...

What case are you using this in? Any modifications to the case? Once again, the definition of quiet or silent is quite subjective- can you hear it from 2 m away in a very quiet room? Sorry, forgot to say I'm using these in a NSK4480. Only mod is that I lined up the panels with foam. Hard drive is i...

Also look at Lian-Li PC-A05 . Its not that much bigger compared to a m-ATX mini-tower. Pros: + high quality aluminum construction + light + classy looks, clean lines + decent stock cooling, with great potential after basic mods (It really needs a top exhaust fan). + decent internal space, easy to wo...

Antec EarthWatts is a very nice candidate for fan replacement. I have a 380w and a 500w version. The 380w uses a Nexus fan (1500 rpm max) while the 500w version uses a Scythe fan (2000 rpm max), both are controlled by their respective power supplies. The 380w is in a low power system : e2160 + G33 b...

So, it would be safe to say that all of the options above would: 1. increase cooling over the stock cooler 2. be more quiet than the stock cooler Correct? 1. Yes definitely. 2. Yes . However, I don't have experience with the stock fans of the coolers mentioned above. It still should be quieter as l...

Xigmatek 1283 is probably the most popular cooler at $35 and under.

Also, check out the OCZ Vendetta 2, Kingwin RVT-12025 (these two heatsinks are practically the same as the Xigmatek), and Sunbeam Core Contact Freezer.

All these coolers perform more or less the same.

The Xigmatek HDT-SD964 fits low profile, I think. On top of that it's big brother is practically right at the top of SPCR's Recommended heatsink article . Then again I'm not sure how well it will work passively. Seems like the Xigmatek-964 is 133mm tall, which is too much for the OP's situation. A ...

I highly recommend the Scythe Quiet Drive if the WD drive is currently the loudest component in your setup. My WD2500KS had clearly audible seeks and airborn noise even when suspended in the Antec Solo (it can be heard over 2x ~600rpm Scythe S-Flex fans + 1x ~800rpm Nexus 80mm fan). Once I put the W...

Given your cooling setup, 60c seems high for e6700, but it is quite safe. I'm assuming your CPU is stock speed/voltage and room temp is under 30c. If there is anything wrong, the culprit is most likely Ninja's plastic push-pin mounting system. So if you are really worried, remount the Ninja using th...

I cannot read German, so I cannot directly comment on those articles. However, just to make sure we are in sych, I am not talking about a fanless (passive) PC, but a fanless HS. I think if one is able to run a CPU HS without a fan, some sort of near-by case fan must still exist to provide air movem...

Is there any 3rd parties producing universal fan ducts that can fit a different assortment of heatsinks? Would be interesting to try a true 120 ducted to 120mm case exhaust fan. You can order the Thermalright duct for $7. http://www.frozencpu.com/products/4040/cpu-tri-26/Thermalright_120mm_Fan_Duct...

You are using a lower power CPU. It doesn't take much to idle at +2c ambient. Besides, just about anything can passively cool an idle CPU. We are discussing the BEST passive heatsinks, and Xigmatek 1283 isn't it. To be fair, the Xigmatek is one of the best values and good enough for almost everyone....