Rebuild old machine into silent download box

shamrock · Post by **shamrock** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 6:31 am

Hi, I've heard good things about SPCR so looking forward to some replies. =)

I've got the following parts which I'd like to rebuild into a PC for a download box.

CPU: Celeron 320
HDD: Maxtor 40GB HDD (will be networked so storage is not an issue at the mo')
Motherboard: Asrock P4VM800
Memory: Kingston 1x512MB PC3200
Onboard video.

So I need a case, PSU and HSF, silent would be really nice...but I'm on a low budget. Hehe...

So I was thinking:

Case: Antec NSK4000
PSU: Coolermaster eXtreme 430W (probably overkill for the system but I want something efficient so it doesn't use to much power when the system is on 24/7).
HSF: Zalman CNPS7000B-AlCu

Then have the Zalman on a low fan setting and it should be pretty silent (I think... this is where you guys come in. Hehe. =P).

What do you think?

Cheers!

shamrock.

bonestonne · Post by **bonestonne** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 6:47 am

Fortron Source 300W PSU

it has 82% efficiency, so it's definitely good.

as for case, i dunno, something small is fine, i'd say an HTPC is overkill for this.

something small and cheap is fine, having at least 1 120mm fan would be great.

a fanless or at least good heatpipe cooler for this would be the Thermalright SI-97, which would utilize the larger fan, however still be able to undervolt.

shamrock · Post by **shamrock** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 7:11 am

Isn't the Thermalright SI-97 an AMD cooler?

Thanks for the advice for the PSU.

lm · Post by lm » Fri Oct 12, 2007 7:17 am

Download box? Salvage some second hand machine...

rpsgc · Post by **rpsgc** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 7:46 am

shamrock wrote:I've got the following parts which I'd like to rebuild into a PC for a download box.

^

lm wrote:Download box? Salvage some second hand machine...

RBYP?

scandium · Post by **scandium** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 1:33 pm

I recommended the Scythe Katana 2 in another thread, will do so here as well... very inexpensive, quiet, and its also lightweight (an added bonus).

ronrem · Post by **ronrem** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 8:02 pm

bonestonne wrote:Fortron Source 300W PSU

it has 82% efficiency, so it's definitely good.

as for case, i dunno, something small is fine, i'd say an HTPC is overkill for this.

something small and cheap is fine, having at least 1 120mm fan would be great.

a fanless or at least good heatpipe cooler for this would be the Thermalright SI-97, which would utilize the larger fan, however still be able to undervolt.

The Fortran Green is the best thing between a Pico and a Seasonic,300w and nice efficiency. Stock fan is okay. A Swap can help some.

I'd also agree on the idea of a cheap case...and would try to get an A Plus or Xclio that's got the big 250 mm fan. That's around 350 rpm at 5 V.

If I was spending more than minimal $...I'd go cheap on case,get the Fortran,do a Sempron Sparta and a low $ matx AM2 board. However if you have older RAM on hand---then maybe that Celeron is a legit option.

shamrock · Post by **shamrock** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 11:34 pm

Thanks guys for all the advice...

I found the Scythe Katana for $35AUS so that seems like a decent price.

As far as PSUs go I've looked around but I haven't found any Fortron power supplies.

Maybe I should get the Antec NSK 4400 which includes a 380W earthwatts? Are Earthwatts PSUs quite? I've replaced a PSU fan before so it's not a problem if I have to do it again. =)

Just to confirm, I already have the CPU/ram/motherboard so I'll stick with the Celeron. =)

Thanks guys!

jaganath · Post by **jaganath** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 12:05 am

Maybe I should get the Antec NSK 4400 which includes a 380W earthwatts? Are Earthwatts PSUs quite? I've replaced a PSU fan before so it's not a problem if I have to do it again. =)

great choice. Earthwatts are not deadly silent but very good PSU nonetheless.

shamrock · Post by **shamrock** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 12:36 am

Cheers mate.

Also, would it be possible to run the Scythe Katana passively on a Celeron?

The Celeron is a Prescott and idles at around 40c with the stock fan on stock speed.

If it's too hot could I underclock the processor? It doesn't need to best fast at all, it's only running uTorrent...

Cheers guys.