Quiet computer for moderate gaming (updated)

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nyu3
Posts: 144
Joined: Wed Feb 18, 2004 6:07 pm
Location: Canada

Quiet computer for moderate gaming (updated)

Post by nyu3 » Sat Nov 13, 2010 6:05 pm

Accidentally scratched the previous Lian-Li case, and I wanted a smaller
case anyway. So got a cheap CM Elite 341 case as replacement. Really
wanted the Antec 3480, but didn't want to pay extra for the PSU.

I very happy with the noise level. The GPU and PSU cooling components are
essentially silent: two Scythe Kama-Flex fans; both running at 500 rpm
when idle, and at 800 rpm under heavy load. They are controlled by a
mCubed miniNG controller (bottom right picture).

The CPU is cooled by a Noctua D14 + Nexus PWM fan (controlled by the
motherboard); it runs at 600 rpm idle, 1000 rpm max load. After
20+ hours of LinPack, the CPU temperature maxes out at 48 C. The
GPU temp maxes at 78 C after hours of 3D benchmarking.

Notes:
- The Noctua D14 barely clears the side panel. The tip of the heatpipes
are less than 1 mm from the side panel.
- GPU fan is mounted using the bracket included with Prolimatech MK-13.
- Elite 341's tool-less PCI and bay mounting are crap (as expected). Good
thing you can remove them and use good ol' screws.

System specs:
- CPU: AMD Phenom X4 II 940
- CPU Heatsink: Noctua D14
- Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-M68M-S2P
- RAM: Geil 4GB DDR2
- Video: Palit GTS 450
- PSU: Seasonic M12II 620W, fan swapped with Kama-Flex
- HDD: Seagate 500GB 7200rpm notebook drive
- Case: CoolerMaster Elite 341

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Last edited by nyu3 on Sat Dec 04, 2010 1:21 am, edited 20 times in total.

sub
Posts: 105
Joined: Fri Jan 29, 2010 6:27 am
Location: Belgium

Re: Quiet computer for moderate gaming.

Post by sub » Sun Nov 14, 2010 4:42 pm

Hi nyu3,

Nice mod, I'll like the work on the psu, for the GTS 450 maybe with one 120mm fan@5v on the accellero will fix the problem ?

frenchie
Friend of SPCR
Posts: 1346
Joined: Tue Jul 08, 2008 4:53 am
Location: CT

Re: Quiet computer for moderate gaming.

Post by frenchie » Mon Nov 15, 2010 3:57 am

Good looking build.
For the 450, you could remove the existing fan and zip-tie a 92mm or 120mm slow fan on the heatsing. It's not a very power hungry card so it should work fine.

Parappaman
Posts: 419
Joined: Mon Aug 31, 2009 12:30 am
Location: Italy

Re: Quiet computer for moderate gaming.

Post by Parappaman » Tue Nov 16, 2010 11:13 am

Accelero L2 for the rescue, cheap and quiet. Unless you already have the S1, if that's the case, use it NOW! :mrgreen:
Is the CPU cool enough with such low airflow on the heatsink?

nyu3
Posts: 144
Joined: Wed Feb 18, 2004 6:07 pm
Location: Canada

Re: Quiet computer for moderate gaming.

Post by nyu3 » Tue Nov 16, 2010 1:07 pm

Thanks for the comments and suggestions. I think I will try
to keep the GPU heatsink but use an external 120mm fan.
Since I'm not overclocking, the CPU runs very cool with Noctua
D14 (55 C under LinPack).

I don't like the Accelero L2 and S1 because their mounting
systems are not good.

nyu3
Posts: 144
Joined: Wed Feb 18, 2004 6:07 pm
Location: Canada

Re: Quiet computer for moderate gaming (updated)

Post by nyu3 » Sat Nov 27, 2010 5:36 pm

Update:
- Changed case.
- Added automatic fan controller
- Switched GPU fan to Kama Flex 120mm
- Switched Case fan to Nexus PWM 120mm

JamieG
Posts: 822
Joined: Fri Dec 26, 2008 10:31 pm
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Re: Quiet computer for moderate gaming (updated)

Post by JamieG » Sun Nov 28, 2010 1:04 am

Nice looking build. Have you considered cutting out the rear (and front) fan grills to improve airflow slightly?

Also, I couldn't tell from your picture but have you blocked off the side panel fan vents in any way?

nyu3
Posts: 144
Joined: Wed Feb 18, 2004 6:07 pm
Location: Canada

Re: Quiet computer for moderate gaming (updated)

Post by nyu3 » Sat Dec 04, 2010 1:20 am

Thanks. I fixed the images. I am hesitant about cutting the rear fan grill because I wouldn't be able to cut it nicely enough to present the computer as a gift. Covered up the top side fan hole, but left the bottom side fan hole partially open for GPU cooling.

BlackWhizz
Posts: 266
Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 8:19 am
Location: OV, The Netherlands

Re: Quiet computer for moderate gaming (updated)

Post by BlackWhizz » Sat Dec 04, 2010 1:46 am

nyu3 wrote:Thanks. I fixed the images. I am hesitant about cutting the rear fan grill because I wouldn't be able to cut it nicely enough to present the computer as a gift. Covered up the top side fan hole, but left the bottom side fan hole partially open for GPU cooling.
U can lower the gpu temps with a decent cooler. Get a accelero or something and then your fine!

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