Get guidance on constructing a solid AdviceFanless PC build.
Get guidance on constructing a solid AdviceFanless PC build.
Hello everyone,
I am fairly new to PC building but have tried to read up a lot over the last few weeks. I am upgrading from a very old system (phenom x6 1090t and 1050ti), but have some very important needs. I do not require cutting edge performance, but compatibility with the latest features would be a plus.
Fanless
. Or as close to fanless as possible. I hate computer noise but would be willing to put a single Noctua low RPM 200mm fan as an exhaust on the case to aid passive airflow, as it is virtually silent.
CPU cooling
I intend to purchase a Ryzen 7000 series non-X processor and passively cool it with a NoFan CR-95c (easily modded to fit AM4/5) which is equal in performance to the Noctua NF-P1 (better maybe!). If I come across a CR-100a cooler I will use that instead despite the awkward size blocking the top couple of PCI slots, as it outperforms the NF-P1 significantly.
I am aware I could get a 7000 x series and tamper with the settings to get the TDP down to 65W.
I would consider the latest intel offerings. Really it comes down to the Motherboard and having enough space for the CR-95 (or using the second/third slots or riser with a CR-100a).
GPU Cooling
This is where I am having trouble. I already have a KalmX 1050ti and it’s awesome, but old! The KalmX 1650 is offers more performance but is also dated. I have seen a custom cooled RX 6400, but it seems to offer very marginal performance gains to the KalmX 1650 and lacking many features. This also rules out modding the RX 6500 XT for the same reason. That leaves me with the RX 6600 XT which performs well when modded to run at lower power, making it suitable for a custom heat sink solution without a fan, but I haven’t seen anyone attempt this so I do not even know if it’s possible (the RX 6400 uses a custom copper plate to help dissipate heat to an accelero heat sink).
Any thoughts would be appreciated. Cases I am still very undecided but ideally something that is aesthetically pleasing and I am not a fan of this RGB fancy lights nonsense either but it’s not a deal breaker.
Anyhow thanks for reading.
CR-95?
Are you referring to this:
A large cylindrical heatsink, the fanless (and therefore quiet) NoFan CR-95C Copper CPU Cooler can handle processors with power outputs up to 95W. This is something new. June 25, 2013 by Lawrence Lee Product NoFan CR-95C Copper CPU Cooler Manufacturer NoFan Street Price US$100 NoFan is a small...
silentpcreview.com
I’m not sure how to measure the kind of "computer noise" you’ve experienced before that bothers you. You mention having an old system now, so I’m curious—have you come across any PCs built in the past five years that tried to reduce noise?
I don’t mind PC noise myself, but I’m usually not paying attention to it... I have three fans total; all Noctua, two at 500 rpm and one at 800. About four feet apart. Would that be bothersome?
Do you mind if your CPU reaches 90 degrees?
You’ll likely need to test a lot to lower the sound.
In general, it’s usually better to choose something quiet rather than attempt to silence a noisy machine.
There are fanless power supplies, but you might still face electrical interference.
The case and its openings play a significant role.
Putting the case a bit further away could be far more effective than spending 50 hours adjusting or another $100.
Choosing the right fan type and placement often involves trial and error. If you want just one fan, it might be better to mount it directly on the CPU cooler instead of using an exhaust. Or not.
The main takeaway is your readiness to experiment and possibly spend more when parts don’t meet your expectations.
Hello,
Thank you for your prompt response. I’m committed to including more fans, though a 200mm exhaust is my maximum. I won’t be using a fan on the CPU since I’ll be employing the NoFan CR-95c heat sink. I’ve reviewed numerous computer builds on YouTube over the past few years and gathered some insights. Usually, builders depend on the GPUs I’ve already discussed or a dedicated case that serves as the heat sink. I own a newer laptop from 2019 (Acer Predator Helios 500), but I don’t want to compare it directly.
I’m not concerned about the power supply because there are plenty of options available. A CPU running at 90 degrees seems to be its limit, but the NoFan coolers dissipate heat quickly once the system is powered down, so that’s not a concern for me.
Some cases I’ve considered (just a few examples):
SLM600M
Lian Li O11
Be Quiet PB600
Meshroom
Thermaltake Open cases
HAF EVO XB
I’ve noticed many fanless cases highlighted by YouTubers are currently out of stock or discontinued, such as the Spylabs JOAT. I believe the ideal choice would be an open case with clear drawbacks or the HAF EVO XB featuring a 200mm fan mounted on the chimney. It offers ample space and its motherboard orientation is well-suited for the CR-95c. Other cases seem to struggle in passive builds.
My primary concern remains the GPU. Is the Raijintek Morpheus 8057 compatible with the RX 6600 XT? I wouldn’t use it, but it could help me explore alternatives for the GPU setup.
Best regards.
There is no available reference design for the 6600 series, so it wouldn't be wise to rely on either the 8069 or 8057 out of the box. You might want to reach out to Raijintek customer support to check if they have any unofficial models that could fit. Aftermarket GPU coolers appear to be rare outside of Raijintek, offering limited choices. I've been searching for alternatives for my old 1660ti and haven't found anything suitable. Case-wise, you could consider the SilverStone ALTA G1M or a Thermaltake CTE series.
The CPU and GPU choices you discussed aren’t the most powerful in terms of TDP. A solid case with quiet fans would be a better fit. Keep in mind that the 200mm fan running between 200 to 500 rpm could produce similar noise to a quiet noctua at speeds of 750 to 1000 rpm. Adding more fans at the same decibel level won’t necessarily reduce the overall sound.
Your main worries should focus on the PSU fan and any coil whine coming from the GPU fans. Look for quality components and consider using a case designed for silence. This approach should be quieter than using a 200mm fan. Something like this might suit your needs?
PCPartPicker Part List
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7700X 4.5 GHz 8-Core Processor (($296.92 @ Amazon))
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D15 chromax.black (82.52 CFM) (($119.95 @ Amazon))
Motherboard: Asus TUF GAMING B650-PLUS WIFI ATX AM5 (($214.99 @ Amazon))
Memory: TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL38 (($77.98 @ Amazon))
Storage: Samsung 970 Evo Plus 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 3.0 X4 NVME SSD (($114.99 @ Adorama))
Video Card: XFX Speedster QICK 319 Ultra Radeon RX 6750 XT (12 GB) (($390.72 @ Amazon))
Case: be quiet! Pure Base 600 ATX Mid Tower Case (($89.90 @ B&H))
Power Supply: Phanteks Revolt Pro 850 W (80+ Gold Certified, Fully Modular ATX) (($109.99 @ Newegg))
Total: $1415.44
Includes shipping, taxes, and available discounts
Generated by
PCPartPicker
2023-05-24 05:02 EDT-0400
You might adjust the fan curve to run at 60 to 75% of maximum RPM. The NH-D15 and QICK 319 may be too large for your setup, but with some adjustments they should work quietly. The same applies to the case, the built-in fans, and the Phanteks PSU which offers a fanless option.
The ALTA G1m seems like a strong candidate, thank you for highlighting that. I'm planning to create some mockup diagrams to explore which heat sinks would work best with various motherboards. I want to adjust the GPU placement based on the cooling setup, ensuring hot air doesn't reach the CPU cooler and allowing space for a larger GPU heat sink. Ideally, I'd also fit another CPU heat sink onto the GPU.
I'm considering Ryzen 7900, 7700, 7600 models (65w, 154w peak) or their Intel counterparts. The 13900T (35w, 110w peak) might be a viable choice if performance meets expectations.
The decision largely depends on the motherboard I can comfortably integrate all passive cooling components. My current setup uses the RM750x, which is already quiet. I might switch to a SeaSonic if it delivers sufficient power.
I'll use the NoFan CR-95c (or CR-100a) as my primary cooler, having two in black. However, during another review, I noticed potential issues with clearance for the CR-95c design, which could block its heat sink. It needs enough space around it.
I should note that storage solutions and their heat sinks are already addressed, and a full review was done on Fully Silent PCs.
Passive cooling seems possible, but I'm leaning toward the RTX A2000 as a top choice, though the 6600XT could work if power constraints allow.
I was considering a single fan setup with a vertical airflow design, which could provide passive cooling while maintaining airflow. SilverStone’s ALTA F1 model is available, though it comes at a higher price point and has some limitations. It might still be worth trying for your needs.
The sticks seem to offer the most compact heatsink options, making bare DIMMs seem less advantageous. For performance cards, the RTX A2000 (70W), A4000 (140W) and RTX 4000 SFF (70W) would be suitable choices. Still, if you can source a Raijintek GPU cooler that operates under 300W, it could work well as long as airflow is maintained across the card. Other options might also be viable since GPU dies are larger and typically lack an IHS design.
If you decide not to settle for a 200 mm fan, you’ll likely be forced to abandon the 6600XT or similar models.
Morpheus’ stated capability of handling up to 360W TDP also references the optional 2 x 120 mm fans. I haven’t seen anyone using it without additional fans. The heatsink doesn’t seem suited for passive heat dissipation.
The Arctic Accelero S3 appears more promising, though it only reaches 135W and is mainly suitable for reference boards. Even then, it still seems to require a fan for any GPU that’s slightly better than yours.
I haven’t found any fanless options running above 1050Tis or 1650s, which are 75W TDP cards that draw power solely through the PCIe slot. The 6600XT exceeds twice that TDP. How much do you think you’ll reduce it to?
Complete passive cooling is difficult. A few years ago I owned a Gigabyte fanless X800XL (AGP, 50W). It failed within six months and they didn’t attempt replacement—just issued a refund without asking for any further action. The current 6600XT shuts its fans down at low power and maintains under 30 dBa during load. If you believe you can surpass that, I respect your drive, but I’m not sure you’ll succeed.
the listed rams are not very noticeable.
the 7700x offers a lower cost and allows you to restrict cpu power consumption in the bios.
the intel t series might be different since they're built for around 35w usage. Both the 7700 non x and x models support overclocking. Therefore, reducing cpu power and possibly undervolting would yield similar outcomes.
the phanteks revolt psu features a sleek design. it also supports fanless operation at normal loads.
6600XT can be reduced to 95w, according to what I’ve seen, though I think it might be a bit too ambitious. The 6600 has a TDP of about 135w, making it a solid choice alongside the 6400 and 6500XT. The newer 7600 is 165w, which is a bit more demanding. For the 6400 or 6500 XT models, I’d likely stick with something like the Arctic or Morpheus aftermarket heat sinks. I’m also thinking about using a PCIe riser cable to move the GPU closer to the motherboard for mounting a CR-95c, which would be neat if both components fit together. I’m determined to make it work and will refresh the thread once I get the parts.