Low-power build w/ Aopen G326 [2nd rig]

Show off your quiet rig.

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1kbyte
Posts: 17
Joined: Tue Mar 03, 2009 11:28 pm
Location: Indonesia
Contact:

Low-power build w/ Aopen G326 [2nd rig]

Post by 1kbyte » Sun Apr 11, 2010 9:34 pm

Currently, I use this rig primarily as download machine with WinXP. Maybe around a couple more week, I would installing Linux then set this rig as proxy server and download machine

PROCESSOR : AMD Athlon64 3000+ (Orleans)
MEMORY : OCZ Platinum 2GB PC8500@PC5300
MOTHERBOARD : Biostar A780LE
HARDISK : Fujitsu MHV2080BH
CPU COOLER : Thermaltake TMG A3
POWER SUPPLY : Enermax EG351P-V w/ case mod
CASE : Aopen G326
USB WLAN : SMC WUSB-G

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Enermax EG351P-V has some flaw, i.e :
- Power switch was obstruction to G326 PSU shell
- Dual fans (80mm & 92mm) create an loud & annoying noise. Most likely because the fan controller didn't work
To overcome those problem, I had to strip the scrap of broken generic power supply ( w/ 12cm fan mount) then swap everthing inside with Enermax EG351P-V.

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Internal 3.5" drive bay were obstructed by CPU cooler, leave me no choice but removing the drive bay. See the 2.5" HDD down there? bad thing, it is mounted on the piece of plastic scrap. I'll suspend the HDD on 3.5" external bay next week

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Most of rear port were left untouched since this rig is controlled by remote software

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Here is the Transformers-like front bezel! :lol:
I did some modification on HDD-Power LED .... the original blue LED doesn't fit my taste :D

There is several tricks to reduce power consumption:
- Floppy,LPT, serial, HDMI audio, integrated audio are disabled
- CPU downclock (1.0GHz) and CPU downvolt (0.85v) using RMClock
- IGP clock are reduced to 150MHz
- CPU fan is connected to 5V Molex
- PSU fan is connected to motherboard header and set at 1000 RPM

As expected, the entire system noise is fairly silent @1 meter, although HDD seeking noise is still noticeable (Any suggestion for silent 80/160GB 2.5" SATA HDD?). Power consumption is 44VA at full-load (Orthos+Furmark) and 37VA when idle


*I come from Indonesia which is non English speaking country, forgive my bad English

1kbyte
Posts: 17
Joined: Tue Mar 03, 2009 11:28 pm
Location: Indonesia
Contact:

Post by 1kbyte » Wed Oct 06, 2010 5:18 am

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At last! Upgrade into larger capacity and mount it on elastic suspension

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TMG A3 fan's were removed, left it as passive heatsink

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I still use previous Thermaltake 12cm fan (@5V) for PSU ... Maybe I should consider Enermax T.B. Silence

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NIC added!

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If it weren't for this hot USB modem, I would ran the PSU fanless

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Final spec:
PROCESSOR : AMD Athlon64 3000+ (90nm Orleans)@ 1.6GHz 1.0v
MEMORY : Elixir DDR2 1GB PC6400@PC5300
MOTHERBOARD : Biostar A780LE
HARDISK : Hitachi 2.5" 5K500.B 320GB
CPU COOLER : Thermaltake TMG A3 w/o fan
POWER SUPPLY : HEC Raptor 350W
CASE : Aopen G326
USB MODEM : ZTE AC2726
WLAN ROUTER : TP-Link WR-941ND Wireless N Router
NIC : D-Link Fast Ethernet 100/10MBps

Enermax EG351P-V seems have problem with minimum load, I have difficult time to turn on the rig because this flaw. I can't stand this, then I decided to swap Enermax EG351P-V with HEC Raptor

For CPU Cooler, I set the fan to turning on when processor temperatures reach 44C on the previous settings. I realize that the fan never turned except at full-load, so I thought it should be safe to remove the fan. The MOSFET's were ran cool, while choke ran a bit warm

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