Building a new HTPC (DIGN case part II)

If you are looking for quiet, have you thought about using

a Via C3 processor? Those require only a passive heatsink

to keep cool.


Via reccomends the C3 933mhz and the Coolermaster DP5-GN01

combo.


I haven't tried these out myself, but have been doing some

research on "quiet" running pc's.


the C3's lack the full power of a full Pentium, but may be

powerfull enough to do what we are looking for.

I was thinking of using a Via C3 in my planned HTPC but they are really only adequate for DVD viewing and general office apps. and Internet surfing. Even a 933Mhz C3 only has the CPU power of a Celeron at half that Mhz and really poor floating point performance; which would rule out game playing. You may want to check out some of the reviews. If you don't need to do more than that the passive cooling should make for a pretty quiet PC.


I have also been trying to get a comparison of 5400RPM HDs to 7200RPM HDs. Near as I can tell, although the 7200RPM HDs are pretty quiet, the 5400RPM HDs are a little quieter. A 5400RPM HD is adequate for video capture, even from HDTV, so unless you require the extra performance of a 7200RPM drive, you may like a 5400RPM drive better. If you go the 7200RPM route, you may want to look at the Seagate Barracuda IV (the consensus has this one as the quietest HD) or one of the new Maxtor drives with fluid bearings (I believe they have LX? in the part number). I think the IBM Deckstar is older technology that is loosing to the newer drives. Reviews I have read say they suffer from more humm/whine than the newer drives. The Seagate Barracuda suffers more from vibration related noise than whine; so mount it in a 5.25 drive bay with a No-Vibes mount. The SilentDrive enclosures don't help the Cuda IV and aren't really rated for 7200RPM drives anyway.


Good luck!


PS. Nice case BTW!

@ ShockValue


Thanks! I´ll have a look at the specs, this could be an option, although I don´t want to change it again in 6 months...anyone has tested it?


@HomeVideoGuy

That´s why it´s worth it to post a thread here...I´ve checked this Cuda at http://www.zalmantech.com/HardDrives.htm and I´m going for it. Do you have any info about that No-Vibes mount (website)?


Any opinions about the mobos?


Cheers