My intension of this project is to create a low power system which is cool enough
to run fanless and enough power to handle most current applications.


Components of the machine:
VIA C3 1.2A Ghz (133 * 9)
Micron PC133 512MB SDRAM
Gigabyte Ga6VTXE
Seagate 7200.7 IDE 160GB
Aopen FX5200 128MB
Pioneer 108D
Lian Li PC6083
Silverstone 300W fanless PSU

Cooling stuff:
Zalman CNPS6000-CU
Zalman ZM80C-HP
Zalman ZM-NB32J
Thermaltake RAM heat spreader

I was able to run the system fanlessly without any problem under normal load
(38 - 45'C reported by MBM5). But once i play DVD movie or "decent" games like
GTA vice city the cpu will get up to 63'C. Although VIA stated that the operation
range of C3 is up to 70'C, but i just don't want to take risk at all. So I have
throw a few stuff into the system.

Extra stuff
Sunbeam Rheobus 5.25in fan controller
Sunbeam pyramid (fan controller with overheat alarm function)
1 * 120mm Thermaltake fan
3 * 80mm Arctic Cooling fan
1 * 80mm Zalman ZM-OP1
2 * 80mm Lian Li Adda case fan
Case exchange with the Lian Li PC75USB



Local computer shops don't have Panaflo or Nexus fan in stock. So i have to try
something else. Immediately i was attracted by the look of the fan. According to
Arctic Cooling the "patented" design can decrease wind noise to minimum. So that
means not only it looks good, it runs quietly.


I have chosen Sunbeam Rheobus for fan contoller. Mike has got an article about it
at the main site so i don't have to talk about it any more. I have attached the fans
as follows:
1st channel: front case fans
2nd channel: cpu and video card fan
3rd channel: PSU fan
4th channel: rear case fan (next to cpu)


3 pin extension cable and splitter r needed. Yes made in China

I guess it's because of the low power draws from the system i have not experience
overheat issue (red light at the back) of the silverstone PSU. But personally i think
55'C is too high for me, and who would actually checks the light frequently at the back
of the PSU? So i have placed a overheat detector to the silverstone.


It is the pyramid from sunbeam. It has got 3 colors to choose from (red, green, blue)
and this is the blue version here. It has 2 in-build fan controllers which would
adjust the fan speed automaticly. And it will beep and flashes once 42'C has been reached.
I have got the Rheobus so i don't need the fan controller. But the overheat monitor function
is really nice here. i've tried it with hair dryer and it simpily beeps with a high pitch
voice.


I have used cable tightener to hold the fan with the silverstone. pyramid next to it.

Turns out to be a fanless machine which can be cooled easily with deadly silence. It has been
running 48 hours fanlessly for BT downloading which has got 43'C for cpu and no beeping for the
pyramid. When i turn on the fans the cpu will drop to 32'C for 5V power (35 for games). The
loudest component is still the Seagate!

That looks fun. How are those Arctic Fan 3's anyways? Do you have any reference fans to compare noise/airflow?

Sorry i don't have much for reference. But personally i feel it performs as
the level of 80mm Nexus or Panaflo fans. The 4 rubber pieces extend the
fan really absorb the vibration to the case. And the best thing is it's much
cheaper ($12 AUD) than 80mm Nexus or Panaflo ($20-25 AUD out of
stock now).

6 fans!
isn't that overkill to cool a VIA processor-based system?

Yes i admit that is overkill to cool a VIA system. Normally i run the system
fanlessly. My intention of installing 7 fans are able to control temperature
of each components, and switch off when not in use. The fans just
outperform my expectation. Now the system is cool enough to run games
when only channel 2 at 5V (cpu and video card fan). I'll keep running the
system for a month and see whether i need the extra fans or not. But
looks like one 120mm fan at 5V is enough for a 19W cpu like C3

What are the dimensions of the Arctic Fan 3? The details say 80x80x25mm, but it seems to be deeper than that.

Oh yes i forgot to mention this. The dimension of the fan should be
80 * 80 * 45 by my ruler. Thx for pointing this.

What is the purpose of get a fanless PS if you are going to put a fan there ? I would just use a 92mm or 120mm like you have there near you cpu and angle it so it hits both the cpu sink and the PS

The purpose of getting a fan next to the PSU is to ensure PSU will not
get overheat. I don't have air cond and my room will get really really hot
(up to 35'C) in hottest days. Lucky temperature is fine (20 - 25'C) in this
week. Machine has been keep running for 6 days fanlessly and not having
any trouble at all.