Modern energy-efficient graphics cards make it possible to game on affordable, passively-cooled platforms (and they don't have to be massive, either). Even without the "just-in-case" fan we've been talking about, you shouldn't encounter any thermal issues.
As with any build, you'll want to balance host and graphics processing performance so that you don't create bottlenecks. If you're using integrated graphics, AMD’s A10-5700 is a good choice. If you have a passively-cooled add-in board, an inexpensive Ivy Bridge-based Pentium or Core i3 is the better option. They run cooler, and at $100 for a Pentium G2120, they aren’t really any more expensive.
The much-touted Dual Graphics feature that lets you match an APU up to a discrete card in CrossFire is pointless. Current-gen passively-cooled graphics cards offer better performance and efficiency, and they don't saddle you with the problems of multi-GPU setups.
It’s too bad that we weren't able to find any passively-cooled GeForce GTX 650s. Do-it-yourself is the only way to go if that's the direction you head. You'll want to decide for yourself if a third-party heat sink is worth the extra cost.
- Case: SilverStone Temjin TJ08-E
- Case: Technical Specifications And Features
- Case: Picture Gallery
- PSU: SilverStone Nightjar 400W Zero dBA
- Drives: Blu-ray Drive Installation
- Drives: Corsair Neutron GTX 480 GB
- Hard Choices: Motherboard And CPU
- CPU Cooler: SilverStone Heligon HE02
- CPU Cooler: Assembly And Installation
- Motherboard: A Challenging Installation
- Operation, Benchmark, And Bottom Line
- Adding Some Graphics Power
- Building A Passive Nvidia GeForce GTX 650
- CrossFire: A10-5700 And Radeon HD 6670
- Temperatures Under Full Load
- Installing An Ultra-Quiet Fan
- Automatically Switching On The Fan
- Small, Inexpensive, Silent Gaming Is Here


Much appreciated.
1. undervolting the CPU and GPU
2. underclocking and farther undervolting the GPU for 2D mode
3. hybrid cooling setup for GPUs where the fan only turns on at a high temperature (may require GPU BIOS editing depending on GPU model)
OPTIONAL (due to risk): removal of CPU IHS
But otherwise it's a neat article, personally I would sacrifice dead silence to use a cheaper HDD and perhaps more of those silent fans if I were to build one myself.
Much appreciated.
1. undervolting the CPU and GPU
2. underclocking and farther undervolting the GPU for 2D mode
3. hybrid cooling setup for GPUs where the fan only turns on at a high temperature (may require GPU BIOS editing depending on GPU model)
OPTIONAL (due to risk): removal of CPU IHS
The main issue is the GPU, and that would require a hybrid passive-active cooling solution much like was done for the CPU, but for some reason they didn't even try such a thing...
By the way, I own two of those Samsung Blu-Ray drives and the blue LED in the button is overly bright. I would NOT want to set that case on my desk.
great article toms