If you want to run passive the SCNJ-1000 "Ninja" from Scythe is hard to beat. You want some thing with a lot of surface area and wide spacing.

Theoretically a small hot heatsink or big warm heatsink won't matter to the PSU. The average tempurature of the air going into the PSU will be likely be the same and if your CPU is hot enough, your PSU will speed up to compensate.

Thanks for your opinion. However I'm going to buy the TT heat sink because here in Italy is really difficult to find out Scythe coolers and secondly the TT's supports socket A (cpu is a socket A/462 Sempron "thoro" 2400+...).

Hi PSU ducting experts,

I'm trying to optimise my system (discreet link *click*) and one plan is to move the HDD into the PSU sucting stream in the middle of a ducting leading to the front mesh of the case.

However, my PSU (Enermax Pro82+ 385W) hardly expells any air right now (at the back). The final graphics card is not installed yet, so it might speed up a little eventually, but I'm not sure whether the suction is enough to cool a hard-disc.

Has anyone tried this before?

Cheers,
Cistron

Putting the HDD in a chamber with the PSU is basically what the Antec P180 does.

This article uses a passive PSU which is then augmented with a fan. The video card is then isolated in its own chamber.

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article595-page1.html

P182, Seasonic S12II 430W and two SATA HDD's are located in the lower chamber of the case. Upper chamber is passive, no fans at all. How can I reduce noise of the PSU? Parts I have for the mod:
- Scythe SY 1225SL 12L
- Noctua NF-P12 (2 pieces)
- Noctua NF-S12-1200
- Voltage reduce wires 12V->9V and 12V->7V
- Rubber mounting pins

All of the parts are with 3pin connectors. According to Antec PSUengine my system draws 145-230W depending on my clock speed / voltage settings. I would say 210W is close to what i usually have.
Please advice me for the best solution without extra cost!