HTPC Cooling...
Currently, I have an HTPC and I'm loving it. However, it's audible, and it runs very warm. Here's what I'm using now:
Motherboard: Chaintech nF2 micro board 7NILJ or something like that
CPU: XP2500+ 1.5V version
Cooling: AX-7 w/30CFM Case fan
Case/PSU: Antec Aria
Video: GeForce FX5200
Sound: Chaintech AV-710
TV Tuner: Hauppauge PVR250
When I buy a house in a few months, I plan on using a totally different setup. First of all, I'll be putting in my current PC's hardware, for the most part. I'll be using the following components:
Motherboard: Asus K8N
CPU: A64 3000+ Socket 754
Video: ATI 9600XT
TV Tuner: Hauppauge PVR250
HD Tuner: ATI HDTV Wonder
DVB Tuner: Leaning toward the Twinhan VisionPlus 1022A
I have no idea what I'll be using for the case, or for the cooling. However, I do know that I want to go with an ATX form-factor case that is desktop-style, rather than tower-style. This introduces quite a bit of complication to the cooling process. Most of the cases are not nearly well-enough ventilated. Most don't have more than 60MM exhaust fans.
Also, I want to put in as much passive cooling as I can. I know that there are totally passive heatpipe-based coolers for video cards, but I don't know if they'd operate as well tilted 90 degrees...
Let the discussion begin!
Motherboard: Chaintech nF2 micro board 7NILJ or something like that
CPU: XP2500+ 1.5V version
Cooling: AX-7 w/30CFM Case fan
Case/PSU: Antec Aria
Video: GeForce FX5200
Sound: Chaintech AV-710
TV Tuner: Hauppauge PVR250
When I buy a house in a few months, I plan on using a totally different setup. First of all, I'll be putting in my current PC's hardware, for the most part. I'll be using the following components:
Motherboard: Asus K8N
CPU: A64 3000+ Socket 754
Video: ATI 9600XT
TV Tuner: Hauppauge PVR250
HD Tuner: ATI HDTV Wonder
DVB Tuner: Leaning toward the Twinhan VisionPlus 1022A
I have no idea what I'll be using for the case, or for the cooling. However, I do know that I want to go with an ATX form-factor case that is desktop-style, rather than tower-style. This introduces quite a bit of complication to the cooling process. Most of the cases are not nearly well-enough ventilated. Most don't have more than 60MM exhaust fans.
Also, I want to put in as much passive cooling as I can. I know that there are totally passive heatpipe-based coolers for video cards, but I don't know if they'd operate as well tilted 90 degrees...
Let the discussion begin!
0
Comments
This is probably the case I'll get. Why?
First, I was looking for a case specifically designed for HTPC use. No good options materialized, because the best cooling I could find on an HTPC case that fit a full-size ATX mobo and PSU was 2 60MM fans on the back. The thing that I linked from Newegg has 1 120MM fan hole. That's thumbs-up #1. Turned on its side, that cheapo case would be almost the exact same dimensions as an HTPC case, or a receiver or something like that. Also, it's very cheap. On the side that will be my top, it has ventilation holes, which is something that comes in very handy on an HTPC.
Here's my plan: I'm going to take the case and drill all the rivets out to split it into its component pieces. From there, I can mod it heavily. The drive cages will be turned 90 degrees to mount the drives in the proper orientation. The face and sides will be covered with aluminum sheet, which I will cut out to the proper dimensions. I've got some other ideas that I can't really describe, I'll post about later.
I still need a cooling solution for the video card, and the CPU as well. Post suggestions, please!
Get a cheap Dothan off ebay and run it passively cooled. I saw that there are S479-S478 adapters out now.