How to setup an ultra-quiet PC as video server ?

[SingSing]

I have several cpu/motherboard/box around that I can setup to play video from the file server.

Blueray players use passive cooling, but a PC has several fans power supply, CPU, and case fan.

That is the ONE BIG problem, the fan noise. It is very annoying to hear the fan from the power supply while watching a movie.

Can someone advice there is way or hardware (like ultra quite supply) to get around this problem ?

[redwudz]

I have four video servers in desktop like cabinets' and utilizing older recycled motherboards. Since servers with ordinary PC MBs don't really need extraordinary cooling, and high performance is not really an issue with servers, not so hard for them to run cool and quiet.

First, get a quiet power supply. A large exhaust fan helps a lot. I've used Thermaltake PS's with a 140mm fan and they are virtually silent. 120mm fans can also be very quiet. Newer PS's are much more efficient and also need less cooling and can use quieter fans.

Case fans can also be quiet. 120mm fans turn a lot slower and are quieter. I would use a program like HWMonitor. (http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/hwmonitor.html) to check your internal case and CPU temps. You may be able to get away with larger or quieter fans that move less air and cut down the overall noise levels if your internal and CPU temps are low enough.

Depending on your MB and it's fan connections, you may be able to slow down your fans in BIOS, though I still recommend large, slow turning fans, if you have that option. There are also add on fan controllers that can control fan speed, but you want to closely monitor case temps as they may not move enough air to keep your case and CPU temps low enough.

With a PC, you also want to check on your CPU fan. Some CPU fans wind up a fair bit and can cause quite a bit of noise. Slower turning fans may be quieter. Or you may want to use a after-market CPU cooler with a larger or quieter fan.

I have several PCs that are virtually silent. Good case cooling with proper fan selection and a somewhat cooler running CPU will help a lot.

[dragonkeeper]

There are many ways to resolve the noise issue it all depends on how techie your are. Redwudz has pointed out the primary was to reduce noise larger fans and fan controllers are by far the simplest way as well as cheapest way.

If you are merely setting up a file server (in the truest since of the word the file sever will not be directly displaying video on your viewing device) you can locate the server to an out of the way location a hall way closet, shelve in kitchen pantry, basement etc. You can even go wireless with this type of setup (I would think 802.11 n to be able to view content @ 720 P, have hardwired server if viewing 1080P content.

I just cleared out one of my hallway closets and am using it to store all my net working equipment DSL Modem, router, switch etc. Just finished hard wiring the entire house all drops lead back to the my D-Link Gigabit switch which is in the closet. I am now making preparations to set up an 20TB freeNas server that will also be stored in the closet, the server will be capable of delivering 1080P video to every room of the house.

[redwudz]

I do keep my video servers in a room away from my entertainment center and since good airflow was a concern, they aren't that quiet. But my main PC is in my entertainment center. It's the one in my computer details. It helps that it has a nice Lian Li case using four quiet 120mm fans and a Corsair H-50 liquid CPU cooler. It's also overclocked, but I can't normally hear it from where I sit. And it does run cool. The CPU idles at 26C and at 100% CPU, runs about 40C. The case temps are about 35C.

Most of my quiet fans are rated at about 17dB, which is barely audible, even very close. But they don't move a lot of air, so you do have to pay attention to your case temps.

[SingSing]

First, get a quiet power supply. A large exhaust fan helps a lot. I've used Thermaltake PS's with a 140mm fan and they are virtually silent. 120mm fans can also be very quiet. Newer PS's are much more efficient and also need less cooling and can use quieter fans.

Case fans can also be quiet. 120mm fans turn a lot slower and are quieter.

I have several PCs that are virtually silent. Good case cooling with proper fan selection and a somewhat cooler running CPU will help a lot.

The Thermaltake VR2 series PS is available locally with:

ATX Compliance ATX 12V v2.3
Wattage 500 Watts
Wiring Type Black Mesh Cable Sleeves
Cooling Fans (1) 120mm Fan

Does it make it big different between the 120mm vs 140mm fan ?

The CPU fan come with the Intel CPU is hardly audible vs the power supply fan. I will deal with it after.