assistance in building low power, passive cooling server solution

Zelmor · Sep 4, 2015

Hello folks,

I am looking to build a quiet, low powered home server (not ARM) for the following:

-headless linux host running several virtual machines for the below tasks:
-file server
-web server
-database server
-firewall
-torrentbox
-streaming lossless audio from file server to mobile devices during office hours

All this I can configure just fine, however, I am not up to date on the hardware front. Here's what I'm looking for:

-fanless, quiet solution
-low power draw, occasional usage (eg. backups) would result in spikes but continuous draw should be kept low
-integrated graphics, I don't need more than terminals for work
-8-16GB RAM
-space enough for 1 system ssd and 1 HDD

I have looked at possibilities on mini-itx.com, however, they list no powerdraw, and most reviews are not for the kind of tasks I am aiming to use this machine for.

I would also welcome recommendations for casing. Please bear in mind that I live with cats. Good natured cats, but still they are cat.

_Hi_ · Sep 4, 2015

For what you want you may want to think about something like an Intel Nuc or other small expandable systems that are quiet and very small. I will also list of build that imo is pretty good for what you do. Also can you list your budget?

Zelmor · Sep 4, 2015

_Hi_ :

Do you happen to know any good EU sale sites for Intel NUC? In Hungary they are utterly overpriced, 450 euro/500 USD is the starter price for them. I also prefer to build my own hardware, and do not like to buy premade solutions. I prefer to swap one component, rather than give up the whole config for guarantee repair in case of a dead transistor.

madmatt30 · Sep 4, 2015

Fan less costs a lot of money mate - consider a low rpm 140mm air cooler & an ultra quiet PSU (one of the models that runs with the fan off below a certain temp or vtage draw)

CPU wise , one of the lower clocked pentiums or one of the lower wattage dual core and apu's is going to be all you really need (primarily thinking of the a4-6300)

Zelmor · Sep 4, 2015

madmatt30 :

You mean fanless in a low power bracket, or fanless overall? ASROCK integrated MOBOs look rather cheap, I'm just not sure how they fit into the low-power image I have in my head. Are there any databases or sites collecting info on power draw of Motherboards with integrated CPU-GPU combinations?

madmatt30 · Sep 4, 2015

Fanless overall is expensive mate - especially when it comes to passive cooled psu's.

Unless its an absolute necessity to have a fully passive cooled system then I would advice against it in all honesty.

A 140mm air cooled CPU running at 600-800rpm is barely audible as are some of the quieter psu's when they're drawing a low wattage.

Zelmor · Sep 4, 2015

madmatt30 :

Would you recommend some quiet solutions along the lines you mentioned? I'm open to suggestions. Bear in mind that this think would be housed in my livingroom due to cabling, so that is my primary concern when I'm asking for quiet specs.

madmatt30 · Sep 4, 2015

Ultra quiet low profile 140mm CPU cooler - raijintek Pallas if you can source it in Hungary.

On the PSU front the best priced ones are
SilverStone ST30SF - this is a semi passive SFX sized model (comes with an atx bracket too) - below 150w draw or 40c temps it runs passively.

Be quiet pure power L8 400w - full size atx - not semi passive but has a variable rate fan & is near silent at at loads below 200w or so

Any Hungarian websites to peruse??
Can you order from Czech websites or from amazon??

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