The Quiet PC Challenge ($2000/£1300 budget)

[jmsellars1]

Hey guys,

Recently started a thread trying to get my PC to run quieter but I think this is a more fun way of doing it.

Lets see who can think of the quietest gaming build around, when I say quiet I mean it should be basically inaudible when idle but it can get a bit louder in games.


- It should be able to easily play any game at 1920x1200
- Please quote the rated SPL (db) of each fan cooled component and specify if that is min or max rpm.
- Obviously it needs to be cool enough to not cause damage to the PC. (We can't be sure of this I know but we can take an educated guess.)
- Any ideas welcome but sticking to standard air cooling/closed loop water cooling and ATX mid tower size etc. is preferred.


Have fun!

 

[jmsellars1]

Right I'll go first I guess:

Intel Core i5-2500k
8GB Corsair Vengeance LP White LV
ASRock Z68 Extreme3
Crucial M4 128GB SSD
WD Green 2TB
Noctua NH-D14 Heat Sink with 1 x Noctua NF-S12B ULN @ Full speed (6.8db)
AMD Radeon HD 6970 with Prolimatech MK-13 and 2 x Noctua NF-S12B ULN (6.8db)
Seasonic X-560
DVD Burner
Fractal Design Define R3 with:

1 x Front Intake (Top Front)
1 x Bottom Intake
1 x Rear Exhaust
1 x Side Exhaust

All Noctua NF-S12B ULN at max speed (6.8db)

Total is around $1700

I did try to be more adventurous with fans but according to Noctua's specs that one has awesome airflow and static pressure for that RPM and noise. I couldn't find anything else as good.

Anyone think that would overheat? Any better ideas anyone?