Fanless Ivy Bridge system -will it be possible?

[T_Yamamoto]

This whole build is going to depend on either you prefer to put this together in an ITX case, ATX case, etcetc

 

[Fjodor2001]

This whole build is going to depend on either you prefer to put this together in an ITX case, ATX case, etcetc

Hmmm... how do you mean? Will it not be possible to build the system fanless if it's in an ITX case (due to the lack of space for large heatsinks?)? Or did you mean something else?

 

[Lonyo]

Thanks - lots of good advice and inspiration!

I'm considering building two Ivy Bridge based systems. One desktop PC and one HTPC:

* HTPC:
-Low TDP IB CPU (e.g. Intel Core i3-3100, or perhaps even a mobile IB model, or the lowest rated IB Pentium model)
-4 GB RAM
-80 GB SSD (media is stored on server on Gigabit LAN)
-Mini-ITX motherboard
-No GFX card (use IGP, unless IB cannot do 23.976 Hz video properly)
-Optionally TV-card with CA module
-BD-R
-PicoPSU+PowerBrick, or optionally silent PSU
-Connectors Front: BD-R, USB
-Connectors Back: Standard motherboard connectors, TV-card cable jacks and CA module slot

I like the idea of building really small systems. So a case that looks like a MacMini or http://www.silentpcreview.com/HDPLEX_H3.SODD that ElFenix suggested would be nice. If such a small case does not have external heatsinks, do you still think it will be possible to build the systems fanless? Or will I have to get at least a PSU with a fan, or a low RPM 120 mm fan?

Also, do you think all of the above will fit in such a small case? My biggest worries are how to fit the multi card reader (requires 3.5" slot?) and BD-RW in the desktop PC, and the TV-card and BD-R in the HTPC.

If you go for a PicoPSU with power brick, you can leave the power brick outside the case which reduces some of the heat inside the case anyway, and gives more space for air to be in. The actual PicoPSU is something like 96% efficient anyway so doesn't generate too much heat itself.
It's always going to be advisable to put in some kind of fan, a single low rpm 120mm fan might be enough if you get a decent heatsink that will fit in your case. Without too many HDDs (they do add up, the block airflow and produce heat), it's probably viable to make it fanless, but a single 120mm very low rpm fan would be better for the health of the system overall IMO.

 

[MrX8503]

I've used a large heatsink near a top mounted case fan and it worked for a Wolfdale. The heatsink itself didn't have a fan.

 

[jhu]

Don't the capacitors and other components on the motherboard that regulate power to the CPU burn out faster this way? I read somewhere (probably in this forum) that the stock CPU heatsink/fan combo also cools these components.

 

[Idontcare]

Don't the capacitors and other components on the motherboard that regulate power to the CPU burn out faster this way? I read somewhere (probably in this forum) that the stock CPU heatsink/fan combo also cools these components.

Temperature is the enemy of all electronics.

 

[MrX8503]

Don't the capacitors and other components on the motherboard that regulate power to the CPU burn out faster this way? I read somewhere (probably in this forum) that the stock CPU heatsink/fan combo also cools these components.

If you have case fans, this shouldn't be a problem. Especially if you have negative pressure.