Fully solid-state PC?

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SlipperyPete

Gawd
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Has anyone done it / have a link to a build thread? Not doing a new build for quite some time but I think this would be a pretty cool project. Is there a fanless low / mid-range GPU?
 
as in just having SSDS in your PC? yea... all of my computers lol
 
been quite a while since I had a vacuum tube in my computer
 
SlipperyPete said:
No hard drives, no fans, no moving parts at all...
Click to expand...

This has been done several times for HTPCs, but unless you have the PC sitting right next to your eardrum it's a little OTT (and OCD). Any amount of whispering or typing or adjusting your seat position or burping or farting or whatever will be louder than most low-end PCs out there. Making what would normally be loud quiet is one thing, but making something dead-silent when it's not necessary and ends up being much more expensive for little-to-no gain is another.

Is this desire for a "silent" PC just to say you did it? Because otherwise I see no point, as you're basically neutering the potential of your build just for the sake of neuroses.

A quick buildup of what is required (all common parts anyone can buy if they wish):

Motherboard
CPU with fanless heatsink
Fanless PSU
SSD(s)
Touch keyboard
Touchpad (if touch keyboard doesn't already have one built in)
Low-end GPU with heatsink instead of fan. There are many of these in existence, most of which will be on the same level as most modern iGPUs anyway so there's little point in adding one IMO
Case if you want. Optional.
 
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Xinmosni said:
This has been done several times for HTPCs, but unless you have the PC sitting right next to your eardrum it's a little OTT (and OCD). Any amount of whispering or typing or adjusting your seat position or burping or farting or whatever will be louder than most low-end PCs out there. Making what would normally be loud quiet is one thing, but making something dead-silent when it's not necessary and ends up being much more expensive for little-to-no gain is another.

Is this desire for a "silent" PC just to say you did it? Because otherwise I see no point, as you're basically neutering the potential of your build just for the sake of neuroses.

A quick buildup of what is required (all common parts anyone can buy if they wish):

Motherboard
CPU with fanless heatsink
Fanless PSU
SSD(s)
Touch keyboard
Touchpad (if touch keyboard doesn't already have one built in)
Low-end GPU with heatsink instead of fan. There are many of these in existence, most of which will be on the same level as most modern iGPUs anyway so there's little point in adding one IMO
Case if you want. Optional.
Click to expand...

No need really, I'm just interested, and wanted to browse a build thread.
 
You can use large fanless heatsinks but they still need airflow.
Using fans under 1000 rpm is silent (good ones anyway).I suppose a large window case with mesh replacing window might work
What is the name of the large Thermalright passive heat sink Thermalright later added fans to? Macho?
Might look at SPCR (Silent PC Review) though I haven't been there for years.
 
My dream build is a passive HEDT, supporting up to dual cards and full OC capabilities. Around 2kW capacity for >60°c Junction temperature.

It's really not an easy build to do but have some designs and the means to make them. I would still have some spinning rust or instead put them via a NAS..


Fans I currently run are FN181 Silverstones. 18db, 100cfm, 180mm, 800rpm sleeve bearing and quiet as hell. Practically impossible to hear, sitting on a desk in front of you.
And yes I live somewhere very quiet and also enjoy hifi.
 
PCs have been solid state for DECADES so

No hard drives, no fans, no moving parts at all...

PC would be pretty useless withoiut HDD and moving parts like keyboards, mice, power buttons, etc :p
 
SlipperyPete said:
No hard drives, no fans, no moving parts at all...
Click to expand...

This system has NO MOVING PARTS. But has performance high enough for basic office duties:

http://www.microsoftstore.com/store...-Signature-Edition-Laptop/productID.320751400

It's a Core m plus real SSD, which is much faster than the Atom plus eMMC they put in tablets. It's a steal for $600!

Or if you want to build your own using a passive-cooled CPU, use this CPU cooler:

http://www.silentpcreview.com/NoFan_CR-95C_Copper

And just buy the Seasonic passive PSU.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151099

And then add your favorite SSD. And be sure to get a case that has lots of ventilation holes, as you'll need lots of room for air to flow (via convection).

Have fun!
 
Building a silent gaming PC is expensive and computer parts go obsolete quickly. It's usually cheaper and easier to just put the computer in another room or closet and run the cables through the wall.
 
DeathFromBelow said:
Building a silent gaming PC is expensive and computer parts go obsolete quickly. It's usually cheaper and easier to just put the computer in another room or closet and run the cables through the wall.
Click to expand...

You can also just build a PC that is "so quiet you can't hear it." So long as we're talking a single-GPU system.

You pay a $40 premium for a quiet PSU (over an entry-level EVGA 500w):

http://www.amazon.com/Seasonic-SSR-450RM-450-Watt-certified-Supply/dp/B00918MQ8G

You pay $30 for a quiet cooler (only necessary if you have a Core i5 or Core i7):

http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Hyper-212-RR-212E-20PK-R2/dp/B005O65JXI

You pay a $30 premium for a quiet case (over a decent $50 case):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352054

So a $70-100 premium for a silent system, and you can reuse the parts for your next build. And if you add a video card, you can get quiet axial fans for about a $10 premium. So, why go through all that trouble to put the PC in a different room?

It's only expensive to build a PC with zero moving parts. Building a QUIET PC with big slow-moving fans? That's hardly expensive at all!
 
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defaultluser said:
You can also just build a PC that is "so quiet you can't hear it." So long as we're talking a single-GPU system.

You pay a $40 premium for a quiet PSU (over an entry-level EVGA 500w):

http://www.amazon.com/Seasonic-SSR-450RM-450-Watt-certified-Supply/dp/B00918MQ8G

You pay $30 for a quiet cooler (only necessary if you have a Core i5 or Core i7):

http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Hyper-212-RR-212E-20PK-R2/dp/B005O65JXI

You pay a $30 premium for a quiet case (over a decent $50 case):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352054

So a $70-100 premium for a silent system, and you can reuse the parts for your next build. And if you add a video card, you can get quiet axial fans for about a $10 premium. So, why go through all that trouble to put the PC in a different room?

It's only expensive to build a PC with zero moving parts. Building a QUIET PC with big slow-moving fans? That's hardly expensive at all!
Click to expand...

While I totally agree with your main point, gotta nitpick just a little just in case some of our lurkers decide to go with your advice:

Often times, you can get the larger 550W version of that Seasonic 450W PSU for less:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00918MEZG/?tag=extension-kb-20
 
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SlipperyPete said:
Has anyone done it / have a link to a build thread? Not doing a new build for quite some time but I think this would be a pretty cool project. Is there a fanless low / mid-range GPU?
Click to expand...

I've actually wanted to try using Ion thrust as a way to cool something down without using any fans.

Seriously, The science is sound, and can be done with parts from your local hardware store!
 
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