Silent system showdown - which build would you pick?
Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2013 2:28 am
After what seems like months of reading and research I am almost ready to build my first HTPC. I say almost because I have narrowed it down to two similarly priced builds and am wrapped up in knots trying to choose between them. Some advice and perspective from the experts at SPCR would be much appreciated!
I am aiming for an inaudible HTPC that will sit in my TV cabinet. I have two small children so my wife and I often watch the TV at low volumes with subtitles on. Our house is in the country away from busy roads and the TV room is pretty quiet so hums, whines and fan noise would probably be noticeable. In addition, our bedroom is next to the TV room, so when the HTPC is recording something I really don't want it keeping me awake at night.
The HTPC will be running XBMC on Windows 8 and be used for recording live TV (TBS6280 PCIe tuner card), watching movies and TV series ripped from DVD, listening to music and looking at photos. Maybe some streaming stuff like YouTube or Netflix. No gaming and no need for an ODD. Media will be on the onboard HDD to start with. I may build or buy a NAS later this year if I feel I need the extra space.
Build 1: True Silence
HDPLEX H5.S w. 80W internal fanless power supply
ASUS P8H77-I ITX
Intel i3-3225
1TB WD Green HDD
G.Skill 8 GB RAM
Total cost ~€590
Notes:
+ HDPLEX case is gorgeous and will match my other AV equipment
+ Silent without tweaking (I will upgrade to an SSD later if I can hear the HDD, though I have a WD Green in my desktop PC and cannot hear it even when I am sat next to it.)
~ Less future proof? (Not sure what future needs will be though!)
- More expensive option overall
- €200 for a PC case, ouch!
- Passive case cooling system limits motherboard choice.
- Using 3.5 HDD limits motherboard choice even further.
- No space inside for more drives, will need to turn to a NAS if more storage space is needed.
Build 2: Whisper Quiet
Fractal Design Node 304
Seasonic Platinum-400 Fanless
ASRock H77M-ITX
Intel i3-3225
1TB WD Green HDD
G.Skill 8 GB RAM
Total cost ~€565
Notes:
+ Cheaper option overall.
+ I am super happy with my Fractal Design Define Mini, excellent quality case, and expect the same of the Node 304.
+ More flexible platform for future upgrades.
+ Lots of space inside for adding more drives.
~ Will it be quiet enough? No way to know without taking the plunge.
- May need to buy a third party CPU cooler, could bring the cost up to equal Build 1
- €137 for a power supply?! That's madness.
- Power supply also overpowered for the build, is there a better silent choice?
- Bigger case will not be as good a match for other AV equipment.
Decision time!
So, what do you think? If it was your money, which build would you go for and why?
I am aiming for an inaudible HTPC that will sit in my TV cabinet. I have two small children so my wife and I often watch the TV at low volumes with subtitles on. Our house is in the country away from busy roads and the TV room is pretty quiet so hums, whines and fan noise would probably be noticeable. In addition, our bedroom is next to the TV room, so when the HTPC is recording something I really don't want it keeping me awake at night.
The HTPC will be running XBMC on Windows 8 and be used for recording live TV (TBS6280 PCIe tuner card), watching movies and TV series ripped from DVD, listening to music and looking at photos. Maybe some streaming stuff like YouTube or Netflix. No gaming and no need for an ODD. Media will be on the onboard HDD to start with. I may build or buy a NAS later this year if I feel I need the extra space.
Build 1: True Silence
HDPLEX H5.S w. 80W internal fanless power supply
ASUS P8H77-I ITX
Intel i3-3225
1TB WD Green HDD
G.Skill 8 GB RAM
Total cost ~€590
Notes:
+ HDPLEX case is gorgeous and will match my other AV equipment
+ Silent without tweaking (I will upgrade to an SSD later if I can hear the HDD, though I have a WD Green in my desktop PC and cannot hear it even when I am sat next to it.)
~ Less future proof? (Not sure what future needs will be though!)
- More expensive option overall
- €200 for a PC case, ouch!
- Passive case cooling system limits motherboard choice.
- Using 3.5 HDD limits motherboard choice even further.
- No space inside for more drives, will need to turn to a NAS if more storage space is needed.
Build 2: Whisper Quiet
Fractal Design Node 304
Seasonic Platinum-400 Fanless
ASRock H77M-ITX
Intel i3-3225
1TB WD Green HDD
G.Skill 8 GB RAM
Total cost ~€565
Notes:
+ Cheaper option overall.
+ I am super happy with my Fractal Design Define Mini, excellent quality case, and expect the same of the Node 304.
+ More flexible platform for future upgrades.
+ Lots of space inside for adding more drives.
~ Will it be quiet enough? No way to know without taking the plunge.
- May need to buy a third party CPU cooler, could bring the cost up to equal Build 1
- €137 for a power supply?! That's madness.
- Power supply also overpowered for the build, is there a better silent choice?
- Bigger case will not be as good a match for other AV equipment.
Decision time!
So, what do you think? If it was your money, which build would you go for and why?