Building a quiet/silent PC... what retail cpu w/HSF fits the bill, if any?

[corinthos]

Want to build a budget/value box and so I can't see myself spending around $40 for a Scythe Ninja if I don't have to buy one. Just wondering what retail cpu with HSF out there today is quiet/silent out of the box.. if any? thanks!

 

[Brunnis]

I'd say that none are quiet enough. Just buy a cheap Zalman Fanmate 2 and take the fan RPM down to a minimum. Will you be using a dual core CPU?

 

[o2brew]

Depending on your setup the Ninja may not even need a fan. In a lot of cases it sits just in front of the rear fan which can provide enough airflow in a lot of situations. Check out the forums at Sinlent PC Review, lots of people running this way.

 

[Ayah]

I think the retail sinks are too loud and that a passive Ninja is the win.

 

[nyker96]

Yes I endorse Ninja for that purpose.

 

[swtethan]

silent /quiet does not come cheap


Antec Phantom PS = $160
Quiet/silent HSF = $50
GPU = $40
quiet fans =$10-20 each

 

[corinthos]

thanks all... guess i'll have to fork up the extra cash if i want a quieter/silent pc.

 

[swtethan]

I have a VERY quiet pc, and it cost me about $120 to make it that way (excluding silent Power supply). All I can hear is the harddrive. Pretty nice if you keep your pc on at night in your room.

 

[Zap]

How budget of a box and are you overclocking? I've found that Semprons on boards with Smart Fan can run really quiet even on stock HSF.

 

[Arkaign]

Stock HS/Fan with the Semprons are really quiet. With budget being the concern, getting a dirt cheap cpu will let you afford more ram/larger hdd/nicer case/case of beer/etc.

If you're not gaming or encoding lots of video, the Sempy will probably be awesome for you.

Check this out! : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819104245

$40, Sempron 2800+ Socket 754, FREE SHIPPING

I use a Sempron 3100+ on an old NF3 mobo with a 128MB Radeon 9700 AIW as a spare HTPC, and can run everything I want on it easily, even have ram cobbled together, 1 512MB PC3200, 1 512MB PC2700. Quiet and competent and CHEAP!

Of course, if you require something faster, disregard my post I just like to see people save money when they can!

 

[cw42]

Originally posted by: swtethan
silent /quiet does not come cheap


Antec Phantom PS = $160
Quiet/silent HSF = $50
GPU = $40
quiet fans =$10-20 each

lies.

PSU - There's plenty of very quiet PSUs (ex: Seasonic, some Antecs... esp ones that use 1x120mm fan).

HSF - You could get something like an XP-90 w/ fan, and undervolt it

GPU - Eh, that depends... plus you'd prob want to put a third party HSF on it from Zalman, or Arctic Cooling

Quiet Fans - If you use 120mm fans you can get quiet Yate Loons from there, or undervolt any fan you have for far less than $10

 

[o1die]

I'd use a zalman fan mate series rpm adjuster and stick with the retail boxed heatsink (at about 2500 rpm), if you're not overclocking. It's much cheaper than the fanless heatsinks. I run mine with a 14cm power supply fan to remove heat, and both are very quiet. The 14cm power supplies are available from coolmax and ttgi superflower. Be sure to get one with an adjustable fan.

 

[Duvie]

my ninjas are very silent....Since my C2D doesn't get over 50c in folding at home the 120mm fan purrs along at 1000rp....cannot even hear it once it is in the case...You will hear the PSU fan long before it or my 120mm case fan...