i3-530 system, 18 dB max, 7"hx12"dx21"w ???

ist.martin · Post by **ist.martin** » Fri Oct 08, 2010 11:43 am

I was hoping I could get help specifying a simple i3-530 system that can fit on a 7"h x 12"d x 21"w shelf?

(The shelf is fixed in a wall, and it'd be great for my room if my PC could fit on it.)

I need the system for general day-to-day work, and some 2-channel audio production. I'd like to run an ~ 80 GB SSD for the OS and apps, and have a 640GB data drive that spins down when not in use. I need just one optical drive, so it's a pretty simple system. Onboard graphics are fine, and it'll use Windows 7.

I'm coming from a 0 dB no-moving-parts CappuccinoPC which has been GREAT. I picked 18 dB somewhat randomly - I'd like the system to be totally inaudible from 3 feet away!

I'd also like to keep it to ~ $800 CDN if possible.

Right now, with NCIX pricing (it'd be nice if I could get everything from NCIX locally), I start with:

i3-530 - $115
Kingston SSDNow V Series Gen II 64GB SSD - $100
Caviar Blue SE16 640GB - $55
Windows 7 Home Premium - $125

Leaving me in need of a motherboard, case, PS, optical drive, fans, CPU cooler and RAM for ~ $400. Suggestions? Is it possible to get to inaudible with this budget?

Thank you.

tim851 · Post by **tim851** » Fri Oct 08, 2010 1:16 pm

The space requirements are the biggest issue here. You limit yourself to Mini-ITX, since no Micro-ATX enclosure I'm aware of will fit inside 10,5" of depth (you need a little space in the back for cables) AND be less than 7" tall.

Even a lot of the Mini-ITX enclosures will not fit! Your best choice is definitely the Silverstone SG05. It's 100 canadian bucks at NCIX this week.
Hardwarewise you're looking at
- Zotac H55ITX - 130$ after MIR
- 4 gig of some DDR3 memory - at least 70$ after MIR
- The optical drive will have to be a slim drive - at least 50$
- Scythe Big Shuriken - 55$

That's 405 $ (CND, NCIX prices). The case comes with a Power Supply. I don't know how quiet it is, I wouldn't think it's even close to inaudible. The alternative is a Pico PSU 90w, that's another 60$. It would open up space for a bigger CPU cooler, too. Although a Big Shuriken can cool a Core i3-530 (not overclocked) relatively quietly.

Alternative (and often cheaper) Mini-ITX cases will mostly lack the height to accomodate the Big Shuriken (or Prolimatech Samuel 17) and thus will not allow for quiet CPU cooling.
Some that would fit the bill, but are harder to come by, are Silverstones Petit cases (esp. PT07, PT08 and PT09) or the Morex T3500.

ist.martin · Post by **ist.martin** » Fri Oct 08, 2010 2:33 pm

Thanks for the ideas. Actually, the shelf itself is 11.5" deep plus there is lots of room in the back for cables. So I could actually go a bit deeper than 12" as long as the feet fit within 11.5". Not sure if that helps.

I just looked at the specs on the Silverstone Grandia GD04. It fits the height and width and it's just 323 mm deep. My shelf is exactly 285mm deep, but it has a good 100+ mm overhang out back. Does anyone know how far apart the outside of the feet are on the Grandia GD04?

datapappan · Post by **datapappan** » Sat Oct 09, 2010 1:13 am

Cooler Master Elite 100.

Listed as ITX, actually fits a mATX, but you have to drop some PCI ports due to the PSU being above them (could be solved with a Pico-PSU).

Depth total is 318 mm, front bezel not so beautiful....

/d