Currently I have a game pc, but since I don't really game anymore I want to buy silent htpc. I would use this pc for watching movies and series, listening to music and some day-in day-out computer use (internet, MS Word, ...). I have been doing some research and here is the setup I have in mind: - ...

I like the selection of CPU coolers from Noctua, but they aren't cheap. I would probably go with a Coolermaster Hyper 212 Plus in your case and use a quiet PWM fan from Nexus, Scythe or Noctua. Or you can use a quiet 3-pin fan with voltage control via a controller or resistor cable. I don't have exp...

Every review/benchmark I've seen so far suggests that the GTX 670 comes very close to the performance of the 680 (<10% less FPS) for about $100 less. Perhaps you could use a 670 and allocate the extra budget towards silencing. By the way, the 670 significantly outperforms the 580. For a PSU, a Seaso...

Based on your original and subsequent posts I would have guessed that something is up with either your RAID config or more likely one of the SSDs. I'm not particularly well-versed in those areas though, so I can't help much beyond that.

I always use Kingston RAM because I've never had a problem with it. Right now I'm using 4GB of Kingston's 1333 ValueRAM in my desktop and it's worked without a hitch since install. It is probably noteworthy that it is very low profile. The DIMMs are 0.74" tall.

Not sure how quiet and/or capable that chassis would be at dissipating heat when relying on two 70mm fans.

Antec has several HTPC cases which include an IR sensor and remote.
http://www.antec.com/product.php?Per=5

I would use the Antec Solo II for a high-end silent build if I were to make one tomorrow. Currently using the original Solo with a SB i5 system w/ integrated graphics and it runs very cool, silently. The Solo II adds nice features like a separate intake for the PSU, 120mm front fan mounts, motherboa...

Why do system builders continue to make these systems with underpowered Atom CPUs when a substantially better CPU, like an i3-2100, is not much more expensive and can still be passively cooled? I'm guessing it has to do with profit margins. That Intel board/CPU combo is ~$100 whereas an i3 2100/H61...

I'd be curious to see whether or not your AC outlet(s) are wired correctly. Many times I've seen hot or neutral leads reversed with the ground and that isn't going to help the grounding ability of your electronics. You could pick up an outlet tester and see if everything is wired correctly, the test...

Wouldn't your sound card (whether onboard or discrete) be out of the audio loop since you're using the Presonus Firestudio Tube? If you are using a sound card somewhere in the audio loop, especially an onboard one, that would be one of the first places I would look to eliminate your noise complaint....

Do you only hear the "motor bikes" when playing audio back through your monitors/headphones? Or is it all the time, ie: idle at desktop?
I'm thinking that it might be your hard drives seeking causing the noise you described.

I use Panamax surge protectors/line conditioners. You could pick up something like the M8-EX for ~$70 and it should do everything you need and then some.

This case has been discussed and reviewed here. Many members have or still use it.

If you were to add another fan I would either put it in the top or the extra front position.

The website the OP listed has the Define R3, but using his conversion of currency it costs ~$150 from that retailer. Surely you can source the case elsewhere and price match?

I think this fits every criteria of yours except for three included fans. It only includes two 120mm fans.

I think EVGA video cards are generally reasonably quiet, according to reviews I've read. Whether or not it's quiet enough for you would determine whether or not you'll want to install an aftermarket GPU cooler.

I don't where you're located or where you would purchase that case and CPU HSF, but I think that you could do better for the same or less money. Recommended Cases Recommended Heatsinks Ivy Bridge with the HD 4000 GPU is a good choice. They should be out shortly. I would be inclined to use something ...

The Define R3 should work very well for what you need it to do. Using the supplied fan controller to undervolt the included fans will bring them to a very quiet if not inaudible level. I would suggest an aftermarket cooler for your CPU as the stock one can get very noisy and doesn't sound particular...

I'm able to play StarCraft II at 1080p on some Low, mostly Medium settings smoothly (~30 fps) using a i5 2500 with HD 2000 overclocked to 1800MHz GPU boost.
Hope that helps.

Boost, the HR-02 sells for can$80 at the local store, and the NH-U12P SE14 is can$70: http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=8_129&item_id=032884 http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=8_129&item_id=031388 In any case, I like the Noctua. Thank you for all your valuable...

Why not use something like the Noctua NH-C12P SE14? It weighs only 730g with a fan and has the added benefit of some airflow spilling over to the RAM and North bridge/VRMs.

I use one in conjunction with an i5 2500, X-560, and WD10EARS inside a Solo and it's incredibly quiet!

The difference in low power efficiency between the X400 and X560 will be small. I measured 70% & 80% at 20W & 40W on the X400... compared to 65% and 77% for X650. Just 2W AC. But... at these lower power levels, the SII-380 was nearly as good as the X650 (within a watt). IMO, a watt or two really is...

Thanks for the great input so far. I was considering the Solo II but it costs $30 more than the Define Mini, and I'm not sure if the drive suspension will make much difference with these drives. I have a WD10EARS in my PC, suspended in an original Solo, and I don't notice any difference between susp...

I'm considering the following system for a general purpose/media server build and am wondering if noise would be low on it (<20dB). Fractal Design Define Mini (w/ included fans undervolted via included controller) Seasonic S12II 520W Intel Core i5 2400 (or Ivy Bridge equivalent upon release) Scythe ...

As long as I re-install Windows in AHCI mode on the motherboard, I should be able to eject a hard drive if I am not using it and then disconnect the power to it. You don't need to reinstall Windows in order to enable AHCI mode. Follow this guideline to solve that problem: http://support.microsoft.c...

I would go for two of these kits:
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?s ... e=KINGSTON

Thank you falkon, that is very helpful. My use will probably be about 80/20 home theater/music, with no super high quality sources - mostly just digital music from mp3, streaming internet sources, or CD. The system will primarily be for watching TV and movies. Would you recommend one speaker over t...

Something like the Focal Dome system does edge out ahead of this one in just about every regard, but it has the price tag to match at around 3,200 CAD. Could you tell me more about why you think the Focal Dome is better? Here in the US the systems are about the same price ($2600), if you get the Pa...

I've had the opportunity to listen to the Paradigm Millenia several times, and I think that overall they sound fantastic considering their size and price. The MilleniaOne satellites are very detailed and precise, although of course are somewhat lacking in the low-mid/high-bass regions. The subwoofer...

Modifying one of my PC models for you I came up with this: Fractal Design Core 1000 Antec Truepower New 550w Intel Core i3 2100 3.1GHz Noctua NH-U9B SE2 ASUS P8H67-M LE Kingston 8GB DDR3 1333MHz 60GB SSD LG GH22NS50 22x DVDRW Noctua NF-S12B ULN x2 Windows 7 Home Premium x64 Using these parts, with t...