Budget Music Computer built in NSK4480 (updated Oct 14)

[nyu3]

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 NSK4480
• PSU: Antec EarthWatts 380w
• Motherboard: Asus P5K-VM
• CPU: Intel E2160 Dual Core
• RAM: OCZ PC2-6400 Platinum (2 x 1GB)
• Video: Integrated
• Hard Drive: Western Digital WD2500KS
• Optical Drive: Pioneer DVR-112D

Cooling (3 fans total)

• Thermalright Ultima-90 Heatsink
• Scythe Kaze-Jyu 100mm CPU fan @ 870rpm
• Scythe S-Flex 120mm exhaust fan @ 700rpm
• Nexus 80mm PSU fan @ variable rpm

Commentated Pictures:

I sanded the CPU heatspreader as well as the
Thermalright Ultima-90. I used just 400grit
sandpaper (no need for mirror finish), and it
took a while to sand off all the nickel plating.
During this hour long process, it can be seen
from the sanding patterns that both the heat-
spreader and the Ultima-90 base were convex.

CPU is overclocked and undervolted. Stock
is 1.8ghz @ 1.27v. My OC/UV is 2.7ghz @ 1.2v.







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I had a 100mm Scythe Kaze-Jyu fan laying
around, so it is put to good use on the Ultima-90.
Cable ties were used to secure the fan, and
pieces of foam were added to isolate the fan
from the heatsink. I wanted to lower the RPM to
around 800rpm, but my motherboard only
supports PWM fan control.






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Shiny RAM makes up for lack of shiny heatsink, I guess.






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Motherboard put in case, everything connected.
Cables are (mostly) out of the air-flow path, but
doesn't look pretty. I really should have bought
a SATA optical drive






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Power supply fan swapped with Nexus. Exhaust fan is
Scythe S-Flex. I hate the finicky motherboard i/o back
panel, so I threw it away






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Drive bays replaced with (cheap) vented ones.






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Not silent




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Brief Noise Analysis and To-Do
The loudest part of this computer by far is the WD2500KS
hard drive. The airborn noise is not as smooth as my fans,
but is not bothersome from 1m away. With the updated
mounting system, the seek noise is much reduced. There
isn't any resonance to the seek noise anymore; just the
basic tsss-tss-tsss sounds, which isn't too bad.

With the hard drive off, the computer is quiet, main sources
of noise are the fans. The CPU fan and exhaust fan both
spin at constant rate (870rpm/700rpm), and are very
quiet. The Nexus 80mm power supply fan is rated at
1500rpm max, but it stays well under that during light
use. I feel almost no air blowing from it. In general, the
power supply fan is quieter than either of my other fans.

CPU Temperatures
Idle: 34 celcius
Load: 51 celcius


That's it! Thanks for looking

[SteveRCE]

2. Permanently lower the CPU fan with an in-line resistor.

You can also snip the power cable and add a few assorted rectifier diodes (1N4001 , anything that is available) to drop the voltage a bit. Each one added drops it by a little bit, depending on the forward voltage (~0.7 - 1v) drop in the spec sheet. Just remember not to use one that has too low of current

Reference / Explanation: http://www.kpsec.freeuk.com/components/diode.htm

[widowmaker]

I spy with my little eyes, something called Grado RS1! Very nice. What's the other one you have there? Looks similar to a discontinued high end open air design pair of headphones I saw a while ago but forgot its name.

[nyu3]

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 there? Looks similar to a discontinued high end open air design pair of headphones I saw a while ago but forgot its name.

Thanks! The discontinued headphone is the AKG K1000 Neither headphone isolates any sound, so quiet environment is essential to their enjoyment.

[HammerSandwich]

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.

[nyu3]

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 Integrated for K1000
USB GoVibe Amp/DAC for RS1 (more convenient).

I really don't want to risk the hard drive coming loose during shipping, so anything I use must be scecured with screws or strong cable ties.

[CyberDog]

Nexus is no good box for HDDs. I have had it. I also have Scythes box and with Samsung F1 750GB you have to soft mount it or it will resonate in P182. I didn't test nexus box whit F1 so cant directly compare it. But scythe seems to be much better design. I did have problem with the sata cable in scythe. It broke at on it's own and corrupted my hdd.

[Wilhelm-Tell]

Why not use the I/O back panel? It will prevent dust, airflow will also be better.

[nyu3]

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.



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Re-routed the cables slightly. Almost cables are
pressed against motherboard plate - so they
don't obstruct airflow. The only exception is that
pesky IDE cable; can't do much about it given
the length of the cable and the location of the
IDE connector on the motherboard.




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Panels lined with basic foam.

[average_joe]

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

[nyu3]

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.

[croddie]

Very nice build. I envy the K1000s too.

Edit: part deleted, misread OP

[AMDforlife]

How did you attach that foam to the steel pieces of the case? Was it pre-applied on one side of the foam?

[nyu3]

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

[protellect]

how do you like the foam? is it thick enough to really suck up any noise?

[nyu3]

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 bit. But I think tape would have worked as well for this part. The foam looks nicer though