Two identical HTPC+ system builds, Thoughts please..

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suj999

Junior Member
Jul 2, 2009
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Partly started buying components for two identical systems to be finished as soon as the CPUs are available.

1. System needs to be fast
2. System needs to be quite as possible to keep next to telly
3. Main uses XBMC & Web browsing
4. Very occasional Games


Crucial M500 240GB SATA 6Gb/s Solid State Hard Drive - (CT240M500SSD1)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Crucial-CT2...=UTF8&qid=1387537063&sr=8-1&keywords=m500+240


Crucial BLT2CP4G3D1869DT1TX0CEU Tactical 8GB Kit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Crucial-BLT...&qid=1387537112&sr=8-1&keywords=ddr3+1866+8gb


Antec ISK300-150 Black Mini-ITX Case 150W PSU - USB3.0 - E-Sata 0.8mm
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Antec-ISK30...UTF8&qid=1387537171&sr=8-1&keywords=antec+150

Arctic F8 PWM Case Fan - 80mm x 2 (to be controlled (PWM) by MoBo at the lowest speed to keep the noise down)
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FG-027-AR

AMD APU ‘Kaveri’ 65W – (A10 if possible otherwise an A8)

AsRock FM2A88X-ITX+ (FM2+ mITX board "Kaveri Ready")
http://www.asrock.com/mb/AMD/FM2A88X-ITX+/

Noctua NH-L9a CPU Cooler for Socket AM3+ / FM1 / FM2
http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=productview&products_id=51

What are your guys’ thoughts on these systems? They will be connected to external Hard drives (already have a 4TB one).

Do you think it will run almost silent when watching movies?
But have enough power for the occasional games on the telly?
Anyone got any experience with these fans? Are they quite enough? Anyone using this case at the moment? Any recommendations?
 
Jimzz

Jimzz

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2012
4,399
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Yea looks good to me. The heatsink is on the small side so the case fan should cover when in high CPU/GPU usage.
 
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LurchFrinky

Senior member
Nov 12, 2003
309
64
101
I am using that fan in my super-tight custom case and would rate it as 'good.'
My cpu is an A10-5700 (65W), and my experience mimics many of the reviews that I read before purchasing. Essentially, it isn't as silent as its bigger brothers and is too small for overclocking. Considering the price, it probably isn't worth it over the stock cooler in terms of cooling capacity or sound.

As a disclaimer, my system is otherwise fanless in a quiet room, tucked into a tight space in a tight case with no ventilation whatsoever. If you also have case fans and you are OK with their noise, then you should be fine.
 
Termie

Termie

Diamond Member
Aug 17, 2005
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Just FYI, most of your noise is going to come from the PSU fan, and you will likely be disappointed if you're expected a silent system. I'd seriously suggest the fanless ISK110-VESA along with an Intel 4130 CPU to keep the power use down. It will game well enough given your needs.

Otherwise, go much bigger, like a Silverstone SG05, using a larger SFX power supply.
 
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suj999

Junior Member
Jul 2, 2009
14
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Thanks for the advice, I did have a look at the ISK 110, but thought it might be too weak to support a 65w A10 APU. But will have a look again. Will it fit all those other components? I prefer the AMD APU option to the 4130.

I don't need it to be completely silent but almost, so from about 2 metres away I don't hear it. Now I am a tiny bit worried about the noise of the PSU... Lol.
 
VirtualLarry

VirtualLarry

No Lifer
Aug 25, 2001
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suj999 said:
AMD APU ‘Kaveri’ 65W – (A10 if possible otherwise an A8)

AsRock FM2A88X-ITX+ (FM2+ mITX board "Kaveri Ready")
http://www.asrock.com/mb/AMD/FM2A88X-ITX+/
Click to expand...

Interactive UEFI

Some people might complain that the BIOS configuration on old computers aren't user friendly enough. Well, not any more! ASRock Interactive UEFI is a blend of system configuration tools with cool sound effects and stunning visuals. The unprecedented UEFI provides a more attractive interface and brings a lot more amusement.

Apparently the old standards of BIOS weren't "amusing" enough. Need more (literal?) bells and whistles. Who knows, maybe it would double as a pre-school toy for your little one.
 
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suj999

Junior Member
Jul 2, 2009
14
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If I go with the ISK 110, any recommendations for a good CPU cooler for a AMD FM2/FM2+ system?

Needs to keep it cool and quite..
 
Termie

Termie

Diamond Member
Aug 17, 2005
7,949
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www.techbuyersguru.com
The Noctua is a fine choice - it will certainly be the quietest low-profile cooler you can find.

Remember, you are working towards two conflicting goals here: having the smallest system possible, and the quietest system possible. There's simply no way to maximize both. Small systems have less room for air circulation, meaning fans are small, spin faster, and work harder. As long as you go into this knowing that your book-sized system won't be the quietest system ever, that's fine. And the Antec 110 goes a long way towards silence by removing the PSU fan from the pictures all together.
 
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suj999

Junior Member
Jul 2, 2009
14
0
0
Thanks, I do understand that the goals are conflicting. But heard that the stock AMD coolers are rather noisy and inefficient, so looking for a better choice.

LurchFrinky, you mentioned that the Noctua isn't worth it over the stock cooler.. any other recommendations for coolers?

I might build one on the ISK300-150 and one on ISK110, as so far have bought two ISK300-150 cases! lol.. Suppose could return one back to Amazon.
 
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mfenn

Elite Member
Jan 17, 2010
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As far as I can tell, the FM2A88X-ITX+ only has two fan headers, one for the CPU fan and the other for a case fan. You'd need to get a PWM splitter to run both fans. Actually, the case only has one 80mm fan mounting location, so I'm doubly confused.
 
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suj999

Junior Member
Jul 2, 2009
14
0
0
The isk300-150 has space for two fans, but only has one installed. (Supposedly rather noisy)

The fan I mentioned in the 1st post let you daisy chain up to 5.
 
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LurchFrinky

Senior member
Nov 12, 2003
309
64
101
Sorry, I don't have any better recommendations.
The cooler for my new cpu appeared identical to previous coolers for my AM2 unit, and they were quiet enough at idle.
The Noctua isn't a bad choice, and in this size range there just is not a lot to choose from. The Noctua is shorter and has a larger fan, but the idle noise is about the same as the stock cooler. Under load, both fans will spin up. The Noctua may be quieter at load (I really don't know), but I rarely go there and concentrate on idle noise.

While I was hoping for a quieter cooler, a good portion of my buying decision was based on size. By no means am I disappointed in the final product.
 
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