Totally fanless, absolutey silent gaming PC - Can it be done?

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Doing some research on the subject.

The best PSU I could find is the Seasonic SS-520FL 520W (it's 80PLUS platinum rated)
For a CPU cooler, looking at the ZALMAN FX100

Is the XFX R7-250A-ZLH4 Radeon R7 250 the best passively cooled GPU out there? It can be used in Crossfire, but I'm not sure 520W is enough power.

Probably a Core i5 4590S CPU.

Does anyone know of a particularly good case for this kind of build? Maybe something with air vented sides, or covered in fins for cooling?

The goal is the most powerful machine possible without a single fan spinning. Not just because of noise issues, but also no dust/maintenance.
 
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Andrew Buck


Unfortunately, the GTX 750 Ti doesn't support SLI :(
For the PSU, the 520 Watt Seasonic one that you chose is awesome. I would be genuinely surprised if you would draw 100 Watts. The case that I recommended http://www.amazon.com/NoFan-CS-80-Quiet-Fanless-Computer/dp/B009E3VXZA is a great case.
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robax91

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I think you should read this. You can get the power of a 750ti... passively!!! It's only 60W TDP as well so you won't have to worry about a watt hog for the GPU.

Passive 750ti
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-750-ti-passive-cooling,3757.html

Don't forget about using an SSD, for lower power consumption and they are silent.

For the case, just use a test bed. If you were wanting it to be more mobile you can just get a horizontal case with holes at the top. Heat rises and you want more surface area on the top with holes for heat to escape.
 
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Andrew Buck

Andrew Buck

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For a fanless build, a test bench would be best. That PSU is fine. If you want an actual case, go for the http://www.amazon.com/NoFan-CS-80-Quiet-Fanless-Computer/dp/B009E3VXZA It may be pricy, but works.
 
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That sounds awesome robax91... will definitely look into that. Had in mind SSD's.

If the 750 Ti is 60W only, could I get this thing running in SLI, or would that be pushing the PSU? Thinking outside the box, what about having two PSU's to power an extra GPU?

Definitely needs a case, so holes on the top makes sense.
 
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Andrew Buck

Andrew Buck

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Unfortunately, the GTX 750 Ti doesn't support SLI :(
For the PSU, the 520 Watt Seasonic one that you chose is awesome. I would be genuinely surprised if you would draw 100 Watts. The case that I recommended http://www.amazon.com/NoFan-CS-80-Quiet-Fanless-Computer/dp/B009E3VXZA is a great case.
 
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Is there any alternative to buying a Sapphire or XFX R7 250 just to nick the cooler? I tried to poke around on Amazon for GPU passive coolers. What about the Arctic Cooling Accelero S1 Plus? The article mentioned they couldn't have fit that into the case they were using.

If I were willing to customize a bit more, are there any alternatives? Outside the box answers welcome.

Saw your case recommendation, btw Andrew Buck. Looks like exactly what I meant. Added to my list.
 
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Andrew Buck

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That cooler is great. Another option is passively cooled watercooling.
 
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Hmm... could I put a water block on cards that could SLI or crossfire, and connect them to a radiator with no fans? How much noise do the pumps make?

This kind of outside the box solution is exactly what I'm looking for. Have to go to my partner with some brainstorming ideas.

Watercooling would add maintenance though.

What about immersion in mineral oil?

Concerning the Accelero S1 Plus cooler, just how large is it? Does it turn a card into a three-slot design? That would basically rule out a multi-GPU solution regardless, wouldn't it? I may be overambitious anyway. Passive cooling two GPU's might be pushing the thermal limit.
 
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Outlander_04

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If you want a completely silent computer ...........put it in another room

DVI monitor signals are usually good over ranges up to about 30 ft / 9 meters

and the only other things you need on the desk are a keyboard and mouse , and maybe an external dvd drive

Problem solved
 
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Andrew Buck

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Yes, you could. The pump makes barely any noise. Just remember that with all GPUs, you will most likely get coil whine.
 
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djinnie

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Here is a very powerful but very silent GPU , with its own cooling system. You will not need additional cooling for this GPU:

-SAPPHIRE VAPOR-X 100362VXSR Radeon R9 290 4GB 512-Bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 CrossFireX Support TRI-X OC (UEFI) Video


I just build a new gaming PC last week and all system is very silent, even at full load in a hot room.

here are some of my PC's specs:
-Intel Core i7-4790K Haswell Quad-Core 4.0GHz LGA 1150 Desktop Processor BX80646I74790K
- MSI Z97-Gaming 5 LGA 1150 Intel Z97 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
- Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO - CPU Cooler with 120 mm PWM Fan
-Corsair Carbide Series 300R Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case


no additional fans other than the case' own fans.

again the GPU is very silent and powerful and the whole system runs cool and silent :)

 
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I guess noise is relative... maybe I'll ask another question about pump noise. Other than RMAing a loud unit, is there anything that can be done to minimize coil whine?
 
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Andrew Buck

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Not sure you can, a backplate with a waterblock may stabilize it more.
 
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