Tips for using a silent PC in music production and everyday tasks
Tips for using a silent PC in music production and everyday tasks
Approximate Purchase Timeline:
in the upcoming month
Budget Range:
There is no fixed budget amount, a budget up to 1500$ would be ideal – there’s really no requirement to spend the whole sum....
Usage Priority from Most to Least:
1. Frequent web surfing (sometimes I open 130 tabs simultaneously).
2. A moderately intense musical production at my home studio (using tools like Cuebase, Kompact VSTs, etc.). Future plans may include more music creation.
3. Small tasks for video editing (I currently use Sony Vegas).
4. Simple editing and photo organization using Lightroom; currently minimal.
Are you purchasing a monitor? Consider compatibility when deciding.
Upgrade Components:
New build...
OS Requirement:
Yes, Windows 11 is preferred; I might purchase a $20 Windows 10 OEM license if possible.
Upgrade Sources:
Recommended retailers: newegg.com, Amazon.com
Location:
Europe / USA
Preferred Parts:
Overclocking: No
SLI or Crossfire: No
Monitor Specifications:
1920x1200
Additional Notes:
Case: I favor a compact case that is quiet or nearly silent (e.g., Fractal’s Terra, Streacom DA2 V2, Cooler Master MasterBox NR200).
I recently bought a 3.5" HDD with 16 TB storage and plan to relocate it into the new case.
I’ll need a very fast hard drive for the OS (likely M.2 type) and possibly another SSD or M.2 drive.
* I’m considering whether investing in a 13th generation processor would be worthwhile, as a 12th gen might not make a noticeable difference.
* The system will see use over the next few years, so having the latest and fastest connections on the motherboard (such as Thunderbolt) is advisable.
* If I skip the GPU and opt for a processor with integrated graphics or a motherboard that includes one, it could save space in the compact design.
* I might also want two monitors simultaneously.
Ultimately, the main reason for this upgrade is that I haven’t owned a computer for a long time. Over the years I’ve gathered parts from various sources and connected them; now I’m seeking a more robust system.
Investing a bit in the equipment, yet aiming to save on a less reliable operating system? Of all the components, a legitimate $100 Windows license offers the most affordable option.
For a quiet PC setup, you mainly have two choices:
* A full-tower ATX with all fan mounts filled, ensuring minimal fan noise and optimal airflow
* A fanless PC, which eliminates any fans entirely, resulting in zero sound
Because size is important, a fanless design is ideal. For example:
PCPartPicker Part List
CPU:
Intel Core i5-13500 2.5 GHz 14-Core Processor
($247.49 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler:
Noctua NH-P1 Fanless CPU Cooler
($109.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard:
MSI MPG B760I EDGE WIFI Mini ITX LGA1700 Motherboard
($217.99 @ Amazon)
Memory:
G.Skill Ripjaws S5 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR5-5200 CL36 Memory
($169.99 @ Newegg)
Storage:
Samsung 990 Pro 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive
($79.98 @ Amazon)
Case:
Silverstone SUGO 14 Mini ITX Desktop Case
($151.70 @ Amazon)
Power Supply:
SeaSonic Prime Fanless PX-500 500 W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully Modular Fanless ATX Power Supply
($179.99 @ Newegg)
Total:
$1157.04
Prices cover shipping, taxes, and any available discounts
Generated by
PCPartPicker
2023-11-29 20:38 EST-0500
A few notes.
The build lacks a dedicated GPU, as including one would introduce fans and break the silent design. Adding a fan would also add noise. Therefore, the system relies on an integrated CPU cooler inside the processor.
The CPU comes with its own cooler that includes a fan, but for a truly quiet setup I added the Noctua fanless model, which should adequately cool the processor according to their compatibility list.
The power supply is also fanless to maintain the silent atmosphere. Its capacity is 500W, which fits comfortably in the 14 PC case I installed. However, if you upgrade to a dedicated GPU like the RTX 4060, performance will improve significantly.
The remaining parts should be assembled together. Given that mini-ITX motherboards only support two RAM slots, I included two 32GB modules for safety. The overall design features a white theme—white heatsink, white RAM, and white case. You can choose any case you prefer. By the way, I checked the three PC cases you mentioned earlier, but the Noctua passive cooler is too bulky to fit into any of them, which is why I selected a different case.
You can also insert your 3.5" HDD into the external bay available in this 14 PC case.
Consider this build as a reference for what’s possible.
Thank you for your question. This device is designed without an integrated GPU.
It includes an Intel UHD 770 integrated graphics unit. For Intel processors, only those with the F-suffix are equipped with integrated graphics, such as i3-13100F, i5-13400F, and i5-13600KF. A K-suffix indicates the CPU has unlocked multiplier capabilities and can be overclocked.