I'm looking for a low profile micro-ATX case to use for a PVR system. But I have no experience with these cases. Newegg has a few offerings, but I'm unsure how they are as far as noise is concerned.

Do these units use standard power supplies such that I might be able to replace a noisy one?

I was thinking of using a ASUS nforce board (A7N266-VM) since I've always had good experience with ASUS in the past. From the pictures it doesn't seem to have a fan on the northbridge which is an advantage. I'd need to get a low-profile GeForce4 MX440 to add TV-out, but those don't have fans either. And I'd prefer a case with a standard 5.25" bay so I don't have to pay 3-4x the price for a DVD-ROM.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

bosock

This case from Aopen looks good http://www.aopen.com/products/housing/A340-series.htm

but I don't know how easy it will be to quiet with the PSU delivering an unknown amount of noise. BTW it is also reviewed here http://www.dansdata.com/5dcases.htm

I used one of these AOpen cases (similar anyway) a year ago and was surprised at the relatively low noise of the PSU, which uses an 80mm fan. Should be easy enough to swap out if necessary.

What is a PVR system?

I have a Lian-Li PC9300 USB case which I'm going to put under the TV for home entertainment stuff. Nice case, but not very much space.

Personal Video Recorder--Stick in a TV tuner card and the PC can work like a Tivo device. I was going to use the ASUS TV Tuner as it comes on a low profile card and also add in an ASUS GF4 MX440 that also comes low profile and with TV-out.

bosock

Then I'd say the Lian-Li PC9300 USB is a nice case if you like the design. It isn't low profile though.

I've removed the HD-led and put in the IR-receiver instead. The IR-receiver also had a led which would flash up when using the remote controll. I cut it off and connected the led in the blue stripe so the blue stripe lights up when using the remote controll. Today the Matrox Orbital LCD display with blue backlight came, so when I come home I'll see if it fits

I haven't settled on the fan layout yet, as I'm waiting for a Seasonic PSU to replace a Fortron PSU with loud coil buzzing. But I think I should be able to get a very quiet system. I think I'll use a two or three fan setup.

Also, I bought a ATI 9000 card because I thought it was fan-less. Later I found out that the Pro versions has a fan, so I'll have to see how to solve that. I have some ideas, but I want the system up and running before I try.

Unfortunately, I really want low profile since I have to sell the concept to the wife. Low profile would make this much easier.



I looked at the 9000, but couldn't find any low profile versions. The MX440 has a few versions available in low profile and without fans. More than capable for a PVR and not a bad second gaming machine.

bosovk

I wrote a bit more about my project in http://forums.silentpcreview.com//viewtopic.php?t=3118



The Lian-Li PC9100 does also look good and is low profile, but it is flex atx and use slim CD/DVD.

Look at this... it might be something for you!

http://www.mb.digitalpowerhouse.net/

Have you thought about the Coolermaster 610 series? I'm very close to purchasing this case as it is Micro-ATX, but also uses a true power supply. It is also not that large. The problem with the Lian-li is that the power supplies are limited to 200watts if I'm not mistaken. That truly limits what one can put inside the case.

Its too big for what I want. I'm not that concerned with the power since all I'll be putting in is the MX440, the tuner card, a HDD, and a DVD-ROM. The MB already has NIC, USB, etc. I might want to put in an additional HDD later. If the power becomes an issue then I'll probably move both to a separate server.

bosock

Yes, I am looking to build a PVR/divx unit too

Anybody heard about http://www.pcpowercooling.com/products/sleekline/ Sleekline? They are made by PC Power and Cooling, though they don't sell barebone models. I wonder about the noise though...

Besides building a Mini-ITX rig, there don't seem to be many options. There is that AOpen model, but how noisy is the PSU? I think either that Cooler Master ATC-610 or the Lian-Li PC-35 would be good compromises, they are not real slim, but they can house a full ATX PSU.