Trying to Build the Smallest and Quiestest PC for VMs and Data Processing

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PigleyWigley

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May 9, 2014
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Hi everyone, I am trying to figure out the best build for my new PC. I need something that is as small as possible and makes very little noise. I am hesitant to say silent because I feel having a CPU HSF is unavoidable. The PC needs to be able to run VMs and process large amounts of data as fast as possible. No games or media will ever be played on this PC. Only need 1 drive bay. I am willing to spend as much as it takes to get what I need.
 
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rhysiam

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How many VMs do you need to run and what will they be doing?

You can mini-ITX (meets the small criteria), but then you're limited to 2 RAM slots, meaning (at the moment) max 16GB RAM. That's fine for some VM set ups, but VMs are often limited by RAM.

If 16GB RAM is enough, then get I'd be looking at a (cheap is fine) mini-ITX Mobo, a 4770 CPU, 1TB SSD (or less if that's overkill for your needs) and a low profile CPU cooler (which will be quieter than the stock one) - something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608029

Pick yourself the mini ITX case you like (make sure the CPU cooler will fit) and you're good to go.
 
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PigleyWigley

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Thanks for the info, Will that tiny fan really cool a CPU like the 4770k? What do I do regarding power?
 
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rhysiam

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That 'tiny fan' is way more capable than the stock fan... which cools it just fine if you don't overclock. I wasn't going to suggest any overclocking (hence a 4770 cheap mobo recommendation and not a 4770K and Z87 mb). When you OC, the power use (and thus heat & noise) almost always increase more than performance does.

RE Power, it depends on the case you choose. If you want a really tiny case you'll have to go either a SFX PSU (which tend to be more expensive), or get a case with an integrated brick Powersupply. If you're just running in 4770 and an SSD, a 150W brick should do the trick. If you really want the build to be stable and it's fulfilling an important role (i.e. you're prepared to spend extra $$s for reliability), I'd go with a well reviewed SFX PSU.

To be honest though, I don't know a huge amount about those power-bricks, maybe someone can give you a more informed recommendation. If it were me, working from what I know, I'd pay extra for a well reviewed SFX PSU. (Unless of course I was prepared to save some $$s and accept a higher level of risk).
 
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PigleyWigley

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I will not be doing any overclocking. Isn't the 4770k faster than the 4770? The SFX PSU's look like they are huge and would make it impossible to use a tiny case. Also, wouldn't having one of those things in the case cause the case to get hotter? I imagine air does not flow very well in these tiny cases.
 
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rhysiam

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RE 4770 vs 4770K - they turbo to the same frequency, and there's a 100Mhz difference in the base clock speeds, which is basically irrelevant. They're for all intents and purposes the same chip, though the K version supports OCing.

You're right about the heat, though most case designs would have the fan venting the air out of the case.

If you really want small and quiet, maybe this would work for you? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129080 - it still has a fan in the PSU though.

You can go to an external adapter with this case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129185
It's only a 90W external adapter though, which is pretty tight power wise. I might do that for a old/unimportant piece of hardware, but that's cutting it too fine for new hardware doing an important job IMHO.

 
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PigleyWigley

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What makes you say that an external "power brick" is less reliable than an internal one?
 
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rhysiam

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Been away, not sure if you're made any decisions yet?

Two reasons for being less convinced about an external power brick:
1) Most importantly, 90W is not enough for an i7 & a whole system. Maybe if you were running a lower power processor you'd be fine, but that's just pushing it too close.
2) Good luck finding decent reviews on external power bricks. You've at least got a chance of finding a review for a SFX PSU (and you've got options to choose from).

That NUC machine is decent, but your description of VMs is more power hungry.

What are you intending to run in the VMs?
 
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PigleyWigley

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Would it not be possible to get a case like this http://www.mini-box.com/M350-universal-mini-itx-enclosure with this system? Having an external power brick and a pico psu (i think these come as a pair) seems like it would be much simpler. I suppose probably a 200W power brick and pico psu would be highly unreliable though? I also don't really understand how these power bricks connect to the motherboard anyway. The motherboard I was thinking of getting is the GA-H81TN. It looks like it has a power connector on the I/O panel. I've never seen anything like this before.

Can you recommend any tiny cases that i could put a nice sfx psu in?
 
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