Quiet HTPC build advice
Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2011 12:19 pm
I'm building an HTPC, and of course I want it to be as quiet as possible. I'm looking for advice or input on the parts, especially the video card.
So far I've ordered or already own these components:
Pentium G620
4GB DDR3
Asus P8Z68-M Pro (needed SPDIF and eSATA)
Vertex 2 50GB
2x WD Green 2TB
2x Nexus 120mm
1x Noctua S12B-ULN 120mm
PCI Slot 3-fan controller
I've currently got a Lian-LI PC-V354, which will be replaced on my birthday (Feb) with a Silverstone GD05. I'm going to try the stock Intel HSF (maybe undervolt the CPU), and see how loud it is. If it's too noisy, I'll replace it with a Noctua C12 or C14 and run passive.
The part I'm agonizing over is the video card. I like madVR for rendering my videos, so I need adequate power. I'd prefer a fanless AMD GPU (had playback issues in my current HTPC/gamer machine with an NV card) but if there's a really quiet 6570 or 6670 with a fan, that would also be good. I've been looking at the HIS iSilence 6670 (http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.as ... 6814161392), but am concerned that it might be too tall to fit in Lian Li or the Silverstone or that the heatsink on the back might interfere with a big Noctua top-down heatsink on a mATX board.
If anyone would care to weigh in on my dilemma, I'd be grateful.
Thanks!
EDIT: Forgot to mention I've also already got a Seasonic X-560 PSU.
So far I've ordered or already own these components:
Pentium G620
4GB DDR3
Asus P8Z68-M Pro (needed SPDIF and eSATA)
Vertex 2 50GB
2x WD Green 2TB
2x Nexus 120mm
1x Noctua S12B-ULN 120mm
PCI Slot 3-fan controller
I've currently got a Lian-LI PC-V354, which will be replaced on my birthday (Feb) with a Silverstone GD05. I'm going to try the stock Intel HSF (maybe undervolt the CPU), and see how loud it is. If it's too noisy, I'll replace it with a Noctua C12 or C14 and run passive.
The part I'm agonizing over is the video card. I like madVR for rendering my videos, so I need adequate power. I'd prefer a fanless AMD GPU (had playback issues in my current HTPC/gamer machine with an NV card) but if there's a really quiet 6570 or 6670 with a fan, that would also be good. I've been looking at the HIS iSilence 6670 (http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.as ... 6814161392), but am concerned that it might be too tall to fit in Lian Li or the Silverstone or that the heatsink on the back might interfere with a big Noctua top-down heatsink on a mATX board.
If anyone would care to weigh in on my dilemma, I'd be grateful.
Thanks!
EDIT: Forgot to mention I've also already got a Seasonic X-560 PSU.