Enter the Silverstone SG07, in a build that is about as small as you can get using [mostly] full-sized components suited to near silent PCs (eg. tower CPU heatsink, regular 140mm deep ATX PSU, dual-slot and up to ~305mm/12" long video card, 120mm case fan/s, and 3.5" HDD silencing enclosure).
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Specs:
CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1230 V2 (3.3GHz, 4C/8T, 69W) @ 0.904v
Mobo: Asus P8Z77-I Deluxe (bloody expensive, but the only suitable board with ideal CPU socket placement)
RAM: G.Skill Ares 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3-1600 (10-10-10-30 1T)
SSD: Samsung 830 Series 256GB
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 4TB (5900RPM)
GPU: Gigabyte 2GB Nvidia GeForce GTX670 OC (auto fan speed 25-35% -- inaudible to very quiet, and max ~70°C )
Case: Silverstone SG07B w/ USB3
PSU: Seasonic SS-550RT (80PLUS Gold, unpainted/unsleeved OEM unit -- got it nice and cheap, works great )
ODD: Pioneer BDR-TD204
CPU Heatsink: Thermalright HR-02
System Fans: 2x Scythe Slipstream 120mm PWM (set to 500-900RPM @ idle/load) (1x CPU heatsink, 1x rear exhaust)
HDD Muffling: GUP Smart Drive 2002C
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Mods/changes to this point:
- Removed the stock PSU/HDD mounting bracket, replaced it with a custom L-bracket made from the PSU platform from a P182 -- the PSU is held in place by the grip/friction of the bracket and supporting blu-tack (highly effective at preventing the PSU from slipping), as well as the weight of the components putting pressure on it from above
- The custom PSU bracket allowed just enough space for the Smart Drive enclosure
- Cut a hole in the rear panel to mount a 120mm case fan -- externally here, as there is only 15~20mm of space between the HR-02 and rear panel
- Removed the stock 180mm intake fan to allow room for the Thermalright HR-02
- Full 4mm Acoustipack treatment
Photos (full sized photos below):
- Front view
- The money shot! And yes, those heatpipes are sticking out the top of the case
- Other angle
- Top view
- Ventilation for CPU fan
- Left side panel
- Right side panel
- Rear panel - the fan is attached using silicone grommets
- Acoustipack - makes for an extremely snug fit
- Video card
- Everything else
- Innards
- Just enough room between the CPU fan and HDD silencer, intake air comes from small portions of the top and side vents
EDIT: Upgraded hard drive from 2TB WD Green (5400RPM) to 4TB Seagate Barracuda (5900RPM), and undervolted CPU from 0.992v to 0.904v by changing from manual to offset mode. Also changed fan speed curve for GTX670, and upgraded PSU from M12II-520W to Seasonic 550W 80+Gold OEM unit.