I have recently purchased a unit of Seasonic X400 from CEX. Not sure if your casing fits it, but it sure does work like a charm. I have also opted for almost silent built gradually. Before that I have used a Be-Quiet 450W PSU which is actually not bad, quite silent in prolonged use as well.

You can contact CEX about the PSU and nego a right price with him.

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Sorry I just google your casing and agreed that your casing does not fit an X400 fanless PSU. The vent hole on the PSU must be on top, and you are not supposed to flip it upside down.

After I install the PSU, noticed a small noise mainly from the only one Case Fan (running Noctua 12') and from the hardisk ! Perhaps only the SSD will eliminate my HTPC noise.

Here's my exchange with some forumner about the built and the almost fanless CPU cooler conversation HERE.

This post has been edited by peter32: Oct 10 2011, 07:23 PM

Yup i totally agree with you SSD will definitely eliminate the noise issue..price, capacity, performance difference for SSD compared HDD just to eliminate noise issue kinda overkilling it right

Most "decent" or branded PSU uses variable speed fan to reduce the noise of the PSU... the speed of the fan is related to the power load..

I use a Xigmatek 500W PSU that comes with a bigger fan... very silent operations...

I find the PSU is NOT the source of the fan noise but the CPU itself..

Initially I use the stock HSF for my Phenom II CPU and it runs at full speed (6000RPM) all the time and so annoying.... I had to change to a low profile HSF from Zalman and now it runs at 1500RPM only...

If the whole system is from DIY parts... you should NEVER use a fanless bcos your system is pick and choose without looking into the "complete cooling/airflow design", and running yr electronics components at higher heat level will just leave them with a shorter lifespan at the expense of lower noise..

IF you have 4 or 5 low speed / noise fans is much better than 1 fan running at full speed with lots of noise...

Yes i agree with you, for fanless airflow is important

For my case its definitely noise coming from power supply because my MB asus e350m1-m pro uses passive cooling for the cpu...

The noise level from my psu feels like a hair dryer at low speed.. really regret getting this cooler master extreme psu

How long have you been using the Xigmatek ?...

The cooler master that i got wasn't that noisy for the first few months...

Stan, quite recently I disccused the cpu fan noise issue with other forumner, and he intro Noctua NH-C12P SE14 replacing my stock cpu cooling unit.

Although the Noctua do come with 14' noctua fan, i actually install the cooler without the fan, and it can sustain the temperature very well with or without fan, even if I stress the cpu with 100% load test.

You may want to look into the noctua cpu cooler itself.

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Added on October 11, 2011, 12:26 pmJagung, I saw the silverstone casing photo online, and notice that the psu area do not come with top ventilation for the PSU. Maybe thats the reason the PSU fan has to go at top speed to cool it.



This post has been edited by peter32: Oct 11 2011, 12:26 PM

Casing do have vents but at the bottom.. my PSU fan is also at the bottom ..but the clearance from vent to table is quite narrow... IMO even though narrow (half inch clearance to the table) PSU bottom fan intakes air in and air is extracted at the back vents

You just gave me an idea... i want to try removing the casings bottom mash vents ..maybe the vents are restricting air intake

View from the bottom of the case

Agree. Remove the filter. It restricts airflow.

then the internal heatsink inside the psu will be clogged with dust making the fan run even faster.
i suggest not to remove the filter. it's there for a reason. just clean it if it's clogged but never remove it.

thinking of getting the Zotac ZBOX Blu-ray HD-ID34. anyone has any experience with it?

i m just planning to play 1080p movies, play/ rip some BD, play itunes music and some casual internet surfing.

did some googling and my choices were limited to the ZBOX, Mac Mini and Zino HD (in Malaysia that is). can't DIY coz i'm dumb with that and getting a DIY htpc from a DIY-er isn't exactly cheap

the thing that attracted me about this ZBOX is it's form factor. no one makes/ sells casing that's so slim.

just need some reassurance/ confidence boost from all u sifus out there.

thanks!

Haf no idea about Zotac .. I did check the model on their website.. seems like its a running on Intel atom processor ? ... i would suggest getting the the AMD E-350 processor version instead... better frame rates since you mentioned 1080p movies

If not mistaken the Zotac comes with 250gb hdd...and if you are planning to download and collect 1080p movies that would be a problem .. a 1080p MKV file is about 8gb to 20gb

Here is a another all in one HTPC by shuttle u might want to consider.. but it doesnt have AMD processor tho..

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Added on October 14, 2011, 11:06 amIndeed the filter was clogged ... so clogged had to washed it out with water.... noise level dropped tremendously

Never knew the simplest thing like a clogged filter could make such difference .. thanks for the advice

This post has been edited by jagung: Oct 14 2011, 11:06 AM

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Intel-Atom-...ce-215645.shtml
Atom D2700 could be the next best intel HTPC build
it has faster processor , able to use hardware to do HD decoding & the price should be quite attractive
and most people like intel more

The heatpipes/heatsinks looks "fierce" like those V-12 engine... looks heavy..

Such a big cooler, I wonder how much is the price ??

I actually got as a used unit. About 200ish. The Noctua fan can be used for other purpose too .

Planning to do a HTPC for my new place.

Any recommendation on the specification?

Using LED TV 46". Not too sure to get it with 3D.

Budget? And the casing you prefer?

Budget should be approx 1.5K?

As for the casing, I would like to get Silverstone ML03? Good choice?

I am having an AMD Fusion A6 built with gigabyte mobo. It runs full HD movie on my 46' LED LCD without any problem. Fusion built will be able to fit your budget I think. But do spend some more money to have at least a 4 or 6GB RAM min. with 1333Hz speed.

AMD A6 X4 3650 (HD6530D) - $380
Gigabyte MOBO - $350
Memory PC1333 D3 (4GB x 2) - $150
HDD 2TB WD Green - $350
Power Supply Cooler Master 550W GX - $250
Casing Silverstone ML03 - $280

This would be good enough for a HTPC for LED 46" full HD? Also is cooler master silent enough?

Better get a quieter PSU.. I kinda regret getting the cooler master 550w...

Ahh, thanks for your advice. Any recommendation?