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[jtwrace]

So, with the CAPS Server being a small music server with limited power the issue seems as though real time Redbook > DSD128 conversion will not happen.  My question is...does anyone here have any ideas for a build that follows the low noise, low heat and silent requirements?  If so, can you share your thoughts, experiences and BOM with me?  

Thanks!

[jtwrace]

Anyone?

[Matt]

The only moving part you need on a modern Intel is a CPU fan.  A good one is silent and even the stock ones are pretty good now.

Buy a case with insulated walls to silence the CPU fan (although this may be overkill).

I think even a Haswell i3 has the performance you'll need for any audio related tasks.

[jtwrace]

The only moving part you need on a modern Intel is a CPU fan.  A good one is silent and even the stock ones are pretty good now.

Buy a case with insulated walls to silence the CPU fan (although this may be overkill).

I think even a Haswell i3 has the performance you'll need for any audio related tasks.

Thanks.  Your assistance is also requested here http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=84307.msg576594#msg576594

[astromo]

So, with the CAPS Server being a small music server with limited power the issue seems as though real time Redbook > DSD128 conversion will not happen.  My question is...does anyone here have any ideas for a build that follows the low noise, low heat and silent requirements?  If so, can you share your thoughts, experiences and BOM with me?  

Thanks!

If you're not worried about hard core graphics for video, check my signature for a build suggestion.


I've made relevant comment for silent HTPC builds on Interact elsewhere. I'm on holiday, so you'll have to search yourself for the relevant posts.

Stuff like this is always a compromise. You just have to prioritise your requirements and find the hardware that suits.. Enjoy the journey .. ;-)

[jtwrace]

If you're not worried about hard core graphics for video, check my signature for a build suggestion.


I've made relevant comment for silent HTPC builds on Interact elsewhere. I'm on holiday, so you'll have to search yourself for the relevant posts.

Stuff like this is always a compromise. You just have to prioritise your requirements and find the hardware that suits.. Enjoy the journey .. ;-)

Thanks.  I will attempt to find your other posts.  I'm looking for the "best" solution for 2 ch audio only. 

[6233638]

It depends on what your requirements are, but I think there are companies selling passively cooled Intel NUCs.
Intel themselves have 4.5W SDP Haswell chips that are designed for fanless operation, but I'm not sure what the performance is like with them, or where they are available.

[jtwrace]

It depends on what your requirements are, but I think there are companies selling passively cooled Intel NUCs.
Intel themselves have 4.5W SDP Haswell chips that are designed for fanless operation, but I'm not sure what the performance is like with them, or where they are available.

My requirements are pretty simple:
2ch audio playback only using JRiver and must be able to do on the fly PCM > DSD conversion
Somewhat small case. 
No fans so it must be silent
Ethernet port
minimum of one USB port

Not a must:
Bluetooth would be nice
Wireless would be nice as well

[jtwrace]

Whenever you guys are ready.   

[syndromeofadown]

You could use a regular PC and long cables. A PC is very quiet when its in a different room.
Tablets are quiet too.

Netbooks may be fanless but I'm not sure. They are very cheap.

You could use a mini PC. They start under $300.
http://www.newegg.com/Mini-Booksize-Barebone-PCs/SubCategory/ID-309

If you really want to do your own build here are some passively cooled cases:

These are expensive and don't come with a power supply
http://www.streacom.com/products/chassis/

Here is an interesting case/dust collector:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811108449

One more case
http://www.lian-li.com/en/dt_portfolio/pc-q05/

Some passive cases can hold video cards but I'm not sure if its worth while.
From what I have seen, passively cooled cards are either too big to fit in a small case or too weak to provide any benefit over integrated graphics.

The power supplies for passive cases are external like laptops and max out around 200W.

For a low powered CPU you can look at:
Intel Core i3-4130 Haswell 3.4GHz LGA 1150 54W Dual-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4400.


I recommend an insulated case with low power parts and quiet fans.
Noctua fans have a reputation for being extremely quiet.

Maybe the slight noise from a PC will block out refrigerator motors, furnaces, wind, birds chirping, etc.

[jtwrace]

Thanks.

It must be silent.  No long cables etc.  This is a dedicated room with a low noise floor so any fan(s) will be heard.  Quality first, cost second.   

[csimon]

Google for Intense PC, or Tiny Green PC. I have a Core i7, it's completely silent with an SSD, small, and is powerful enough to be able to run 1080p video in ROHQ, but it's expensive.

[6233638]

Here's a few systems that are built to be silent/passively cooled: http://www.anandtech.com/tag/industrial-pc

[jtwrace]

After much looking around, I'm thinking of this build.  Thoughts?

Streacom FC9 Fanless PC
Intel Core i7-4770S Haswell 3.1GHz Quad-Core 65w CPU
16GB (2 x 8GB) Kingston DDR3 1600
Microsoft Windows 8 Professional 64-bit
Asus Maximus VI Gene Motherboard
LG Optical Drive
SSD Intel 520 Series 120GB SATA III or PCI/e Drive???
150 Watt Fanless Power Supply

Not sure this really does much...
SOtM In-Line SATA Power Noise Filter

[6233638]

For your requirements, that spec seems like extreme overkill.
I'm not sure what you need 16GB RAM in there for (4GB would probably be enough, maybe put 8 in there) or a gaming-class motherboard.
If you're using that for media storage, 120GB doesn't seem like nearly enough.

Not sure this really does much...
SOtM In-Line SATA Power Noise Filter

All those SOtM cards are a waste of money.

[csimon]

Intel Core i7-4770S Haswell 3.1GHz Quad-Core 65w CPU

I think this is probably way over the top for an audio-only machine. As mentioned above, I have a (Compulab) Intense PC, although I didn't mention the exact processor, it's a mobile-class dual core i7-3517UE (Ivy Bridge, 1.7GHz, 17W). It can be a bit hit-and-miss for HD video sometimes but it's more than enough for audio. My main PC has a quad-core i7-3770T (Ivy Bridge, 2.5GHz, 35W).

[jtwrace]

For your requirements, that spec seems like extreme overkill.
I'm not sure what you need 16GB RAM in there for (4GB would probably be enough, maybe put 8 in there) or a gaming-class motherboard.
If you're using that for media storage, 120GB doesn't seem like nearly enough.
All those SOtM cards are a waste of money.

I use a NAS for all storage.

I think this is probably way over the top for an audio-only machine. As mentioned above, I have a (Compulab) Intense PC, although I didn't mention the exact processor, it's a mobile-class dual core i7-3517UE (Ivy Bridge, 1.7GHz, 17W). It can be a bit hit-and-miss for HD video sometimes but it's more than enough for audio. My main PC has a quad-core i7-3770T (Ivy Bridge, 2.5GHz, 35W).

I like overkill.     Seriously though, is it bad in any way other than the cost?

[csimon]

I like overkill.    

Yeah, I have that problem too!  I'm not buying small PCs here and there all the time for individual jobs so when I do buy a new one I like to get something that's in the upper half of the current state of play so that it lasts a long time.

That spec of machine will be a very good media server I think, nothing wrong with it at all. You could probably do a few video conversions at the same time as well! I know that the CAPS machines have "audiophile" bits in to suppress electrical noise and to avoid unnecessary CPU work etc, I don't know how far down that route you want to go but it's something that I've not been too bothered about, I just wanted a fast and silent machine.

My Intense PC, which is dedicated to MC (both audio and video) has the mobile i7 as detailed previously, 128GB Crucial SSD (SATA), Windows 7 Pro 64, 16GB fast Crucial RAM (2x8GB), media files stored on a NAS, audio coming out of either the onboard Intel SPDIF or via a Soundblaster USB sound card - still playing around with this - and audio for video is bitstreamed via HDMI. It's small and cute, looks like a router! I've taken the wifi card out as I don't need it. It boots into MC in about 15 seconds and wakes up from sleep (via JRemote) instantly, but MC will hang for a bit while the NAS drives spin up after sleeping.

[Thumper]

I've been using an  Intel NUC http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/desktops/dc3217iye-product-brief.html with the LogicSuply case http://www.logicsupply.com/components/cases/fanless/ml300g/.

Fanless and runs fine. Mind you not the least expensive solution.

[Reuben.F]

I have this - http://www.tranquilpcshop.co.uk/mediaone-bb-custom-build-no-os/

Completely silent although the build is slightly tricky and if low noise on the USB port is a requirement then special attention must be paid to the choice of PSU, this probably applies to most systems anyway.