Quiet computer for moderate gaming (updated)
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Quiet computer for moderate gaming (updated)
Accidentally scratched the previous Lian-Li case, and I wanted a smaller
case anyway. So got a cheap CM Elite 341 case as replacement. Really
wanted the Antec 3480, but didn't want to pay extra for the PSU.
I very happy with the noise level. The GPU and PSU cooling components are
essentially silent: two Scythe Kama-Flex fans; both running at 500 rpm
when idle, and at 800 rpm under heavy load. They are controlled by a
mCubed miniNG controller (bottom right picture).
The CPU is cooled by a Noctua D14 + Nexus PWM fan (controlled by the
motherboard); it runs at 600 rpm idle, 1000 rpm max load. After
20+ hours of LinPack, the CPU temperature maxes out at 48 C. The
GPU temp maxes at 78 C after hours of 3D benchmarking.
Notes:
- The Noctua D14 barely clears the side panel. The tip of the heatpipes
are less than 1 mm from the side panel.
- GPU fan is mounted using the bracket included with Prolimatech MK-13.
- Elite 341's tool-less PCI and bay mounting are crap (as expected). Good
thing you can remove them and use good ol' screws.
System specs:
- CPU: AMD Phenom X4 II 940
- CPU Heatsink: Noctua D14
- Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-M68M-S2P
- RAM: Geil 4GB DDR2
- Video: Palit GTS 450
- PSU: Seasonic M12II 620W, fan swapped with Kama-Flex
- HDD: Seagate 500GB 7200rpm notebook drive
- Case: CoolerMaster Elite 341
case anyway. So got a cheap CM Elite 341 case as replacement. Really
wanted the Antec 3480, but didn't want to pay extra for the PSU.
I very happy with the noise level. The GPU and PSU cooling components are
essentially silent: two Scythe Kama-Flex fans; both running at 500 rpm
when idle, and at 800 rpm under heavy load. They are controlled by a
mCubed miniNG controller (bottom right picture).
The CPU is cooled by a Noctua D14 + Nexus PWM fan (controlled by the
motherboard); it runs at 600 rpm idle, 1000 rpm max load. After
20+ hours of LinPack, the CPU temperature maxes out at 48 C. The
GPU temp maxes at 78 C after hours of 3D benchmarking.
Notes:
- The Noctua D14 barely clears the side panel. The tip of the heatpipes
are less than 1 mm from the side panel.
- GPU fan is mounted using the bracket included with Prolimatech MK-13.
- Elite 341's tool-less PCI and bay mounting are crap (as expected). Good
thing you can remove them and use good ol' screws.
System specs:
- CPU: AMD Phenom X4 II 940
- CPU Heatsink: Noctua D14
- Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-M68M-S2P
- RAM: Geil 4GB DDR2
- Video: Palit GTS 450
- PSU: Seasonic M12II 620W, fan swapped with Kama-Flex
- HDD: Seagate 500GB 7200rpm notebook drive
- Case: CoolerMaster Elite 341
Last edited by nyu3 on Sat Dec 04, 2010 1:21 am, edited 20 times in total.
Re: Quiet computer for moderate gaming.
Hi nyu3,
Nice mod, I'll like the work on the psu, for the GTS 450 maybe with one 120mm fan@5v on the accellero will fix the problem ?
Nice mod, I'll like the work on the psu, for the GTS 450 maybe with one 120mm fan@5v on the accellero will fix the problem ?
Re: Quiet computer for moderate gaming.
Good looking build.
For the 450, you could remove the existing fan and zip-tie a 92mm or 120mm slow fan on the heatsing. It's not a very power hungry card so it should work fine.
For the 450, you could remove the existing fan and zip-tie a 92mm or 120mm slow fan on the heatsing. It's not a very power hungry card so it should work fine.
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Re: Quiet computer for moderate gaming.
Accelero L2 for the rescue, cheap and quiet. Unless you already have the S1, if that's the case, use it NOW!
Is the CPU cool enough with such low airflow on the heatsink?
Is the CPU cool enough with such low airflow on the heatsink?
Re: Quiet computer for moderate gaming.
Thanks for the comments and suggestions. I think I will try
to keep the GPU heatsink but use an external 120mm fan.
Since I'm not overclocking, the CPU runs very cool with Noctua
D14 (55 C under LinPack).
I don't like the Accelero L2 and S1 because their mounting
systems are not good.
to keep the GPU heatsink but use an external 120mm fan.
Since I'm not overclocking, the CPU runs very cool with Noctua
D14 (55 C under LinPack).
I don't like the Accelero L2 and S1 because their mounting
systems are not good.
Re: Quiet computer for moderate gaming (updated)
Update:
- Changed case.
- Added automatic fan controller
- Switched GPU fan to Kama Flex 120mm
- Switched Case fan to Nexus PWM 120mm
- Changed case.
- Added automatic fan controller
- Switched GPU fan to Kama Flex 120mm
- Switched Case fan to Nexus PWM 120mm
Re: Quiet computer for moderate gaming (updated)
Nice looking build. Have you considered cutting out the rear (and front) fan grills to improve airflow slightly?
Also, I couldn't tell from your picture but have you blocked off the side panel fan vents in any way?
Also, I couldn't tell from your picture but have you blocked off the side panel fan vents in any way?
Re: Quiet computer for moderate gaming (updated)
Thanks. I fixed the images. I am hesitant about cutting the rear fan grill because I wouldn't be able to cut it nicely enough to present the computer as a gift. Covered up the top side fan hole, but left the bottom side fan hole partially open for GPU cooling.
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- Location: OV, The Netherlands
Re: Quiet computer for moderate gaming (updated)
U can lower the gpu temps with a decent cooler. Get a accelero or something and then your fine!nyu3 wrote:Thanks. I fixed the images. I am hesitant about cutting the rear fan grill because I wouldn't be able to cut it nicely enough to present the computer as a gift. Covered up the top side fan hole, but left the bottom side fan hole partially open for GPU cooling.