Hi, today I finally built my new work computer (DAW) and it's pretty amazing, so here you go.

Components:
i7 3770
P8Z77-M (Z77 just because of multiple PWM haders)
32GB Corsair DDR3 XMS3 RAM
Samsung 830 120GB
Corsair Force 3 120GB
WD Scorpio Blue 500GB
Corsair HX450W with Scythe Kama PWM

Cooling:
HR-02 (passive)
Scythe Slipstream PWM (exhaust)

I'm using AI Suite (Fan Xpert+) to calibrate all the fans. Fan 2 is PWM fan in PSU, 100% controlled by motherboard. PSU doesn't get even warm under load.

Idle Full load






Tight fit between side panel and HR-02



I love this cooler!!





That little hard drive is spinning literally without any vibrations, so I screwed it right on HDD bay, without any rubber grommets and I have never had any problems with vibrations

I'm very happy with resaults, you can hear the hard drive spinning platters from less than 50cm from the case (QuietDrive could eliminate that), but from my working position, I can't say if this computer is running or not. And that's what was the point of the whole build.

I'm really feeling like I'm pushing the limit but if everything stays in safe temperature ranges, I'm happy.

Very nice. Can the passive cooler cope with the CPU? And what would you say was the noisiest component?

HR-02 have no problem dealing with that CPU, fan stays at 430-ish RPM and temperatures never exceed 65°C.

Currently I have problem with hard drive, for the last few years I've been using Scythe QuietDrive and that 1TB hard drive was impossible to hear next two 400RPM slipstreams, but now I use only one 380RPM fan (at idle) and hard drive noise is just killing me. Also, anti-vibration "legs" are just too hard, so I used them from my previous case (P182) to cut down all vibrations.

But since Define Mini is such a beautiful case, I must first try to find aestheticly pleasing solution to mound my QuietDrive..

Tomorrow I will post some pics, it's really great little machine. Next to my old P182 it looks so tiny

Looks likes an interesting build - thanks for taking the time to post.
I have a similar set up in my DAW with an HR02 and exhaust fan in a P182. I have my drives ( Samsung ecogreen and Hitachi 7k1000.D) suspended and seek noise is only a minor irritation with the door closed.

Questions:
1. The scythe quiet drive is in the 5.25, could you suspend it if you remove the lower 3.5 drive cages or are you a bit tight for space?

2a. Bit OT but by DAW I'm assuming you're using it for audio recording? I've read that correctly what is your preferred audio input device - I can't work out what's in the light blue PCI slot.

2b.Have you had any latency/performance issues recording audio with the P8Z77 if you're using the PCI slot for the audio card?

Cheers

1. I could remove hard drive cages and put Quiet Drive on the floor, but I admit I like how that case looks right now.. I'm thinking of using 2,5' hard drive in 3,5' Quiet Drive, but I'm not sure yet.. Since this case is such a pleasure to work with and rig looks super cool and tidy, I might actually prefer having smaller drive in hdd cage, just because it looks good. In my previous rig in P182, QuietDrive was lying on some soft foam that did the trick.

2. I'm using it for audio recording and also electronic production. In the PCI slot, there's a Firewire card (with Texas Instruments chipset). I'm using Focusrite interface. It's using only FW400, like 99,99% of other audio interfaces, so bandwidth or latency is not an issue even on old PCI slot.

Another option, if your budget allows you to: A 2.5" inch drive in a 2.5" Scythe QuietDrive. This enclosure (which has the same dimensions as a regular 3.5" drive) can be suspended by an aftermarket suspension system sthat can be seen at the front page of this website:

http://noisemagic.de/

If you have problems understanding the language, then Google Translate is your friend.

Yup that's what I ment by QuietDrive 3,5, the size of the box is 3,5', the larger SQD is 5,25

I don't know what to do next, but smal SQD in some sort of suspension system would be awesome, that would complete this silent rig..

Sorry, I didn't understand your question..

It means he's probably a spammer, working on getting his required minimum post count. But we're watching him!

Looks like a nice quiet system.


Doesn't this worry you? You have to push the side panel on and then slide it into place. Doesn't that put undue stress on the cooler?

No, not at all. Moduvent (that thing that covers fan hole) is basicly thin hard plate with VERY soft foam on it. I think that foam is unnecessary touch, I'm sure that 12x12cm soft foam in the middle of the side panel won't do any dampening.

You can put side panel on very easily, you can't even feel that foam is pressed on heatpipes. It's really that soft (and unnecessary, IMHO).