Quietest / stable SFF for HTPC?

harpie · 24th June 2005, 10:32 AM

Iv'e given up on manufacturers claims on quietness.
Really want a SFF HTPC that is whisper quiet and not a heater.

Dont care how ugly it is, it just needs to be small and quiet with one PCI slot for TV tuner card and one videocard (fanless) slot (agp or pcie)

Any opnions greatly appreciated.

TOX · 24th June 2005, 12:42 PM

Have you thought about the FIC CONDOR?

2 x PCI and 1 x AGP

harpie · 24th June 2005, 1:28 PM

Had a look at the condor 1 year ago

2 problems with the FIC condor

1. too big - dont need two pci's. Just one for the tv tuner (dont need to watch and record)

2. Some idiot thought it would be a good idea to stick the digital sound (toslink) on the front of the case! So to use this as a HTPC I will have a toslink cable that pokes out the front and then have to bend it back around the case to reach the back of the reciever lying on the shelf above it. Really Clever!

also this review of it suggests that noise is an issue compared to others.
http://www.neoseeker.com/Articles/Ha...icondor/6.html

cerebus · 25th June 2005, 5:52 PM

Shuttle XPC Zen?

McbLt · 28th June 2005, 11:31 AM

My MSI MEga 651 is pretty quiet. The PSU & HSF are both temp controlled, so when idle it's very quite, just a dull hum. Might be looking at selling it soon too.

SpaceFrog · 30th June 2005, 12:05 PM

The shuttle zen is supposed to be uber quiet.

I have a SN95G5 and i have to say its very quiet, the smart fan control is very quiet... just make sure the video card u put in is quiet, and won't overheat and you'll be fine.

AFAIK, there is a chipset fan... that might be a audiable, and the PSU has one too.

cerebus · 30th June 2005, 4:32 PM

Yeah my old SS51 was very quiet once I changed the stock fan to a Panaflo. The xpc zen has an external power brick so that should make things even quieter. Only has a pci slot but the integrated 9100 has composite and s-video out. I was seriously looking at one of these but I ended up getting a mac mini

24th June 2005, 10:32 AM	#1
harpie Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Melbourne Posts: 775	Quietest / stable SFF for HTPC? Iv'e given up on manufacturers claims on quietness. Really want a SFF HTPC that is whisper quiet and not a heater. Dont care how ugly it is, it just needs to be small and quiet with one PCI slot for TV tuner card and one videocard (fanless) slot (agp or pcie) Any opnions greatly appreciated.

24th June 2005, 12:42 PM	#2
TOX Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: On the Big Blind Posts: 10,208	Have you thought about the FIC CONDOR? 2 x PCI and 1 x AGP __________________ HT Gear - Epson TW-1000 1080P Projector :: 100" Motorized Screen :: PS3 60GB :: PS3 40GB White (Region A) :: Toshiba XE1 :: XBOX 360 :: HD-DVD Addon :: Onkyo TX-SR705 :: Quad Core HTPC Speakers - Dali Concept 10 Fronts :: Concept 2 Rears :: Concept Center :: Concept Sub

24th June 2005, 1:28 PM	#3
harpie Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Melbourne Posts: 775	Had a look at the condor 1 year ago 2 problems with the FIC condor 1. too big - dont need two pci's. Just one for the tv tuner (dont need to watch and record) 2. Some idiot thought it would be a good idea to stick the digital sound (toslink) on the front of the case! So to use this as a HTPC I will have a toslink cable that pokes out the front and then have to bend it back around the case to reach the back of the reciever lying on the shelf above it. Really Clever! also this review of it suggests that noise is an issue compared to others. http://www.neoseeker.com/Articles/Ha...icondor/6.html Last edited by harpie; 24th June 2005 at 1:46 PM.

25th June 2005, 5:52 PM	#4
cerebus Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Melbourne Posts: 96	Shuttle XPC Zen? __________________ a longstanding neurosis will disappear this week when, during pillow talk, your mother assures you that your Oedipal complex is imaginery.

30th June 2005, 12:05 PM	#6
SpaceFrog Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Mill Park, Melb. Posts: 1,075	The shuttle zen is supposed to be uber quiet. I have a SN95G5 and i have to say its very quiet, the smart fan control is very quiet... just make sure the video card u put in is quiet, and won't overheat and you'll be fine. AFAIK, there is a chipset fan... that might be a audiable, and the PSU has one too. __________________ My 'Budget' Shuttle Mod

28th June 2005, 11:31 AM	#5
McbLt Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Adelaide, SA 5000 Posts: 1,102	My MSI MEga 651 is pretty quiet. The PSU & HSF are both temp controlled, so when idle it's very quite, just a dull hum. Might be looking at selling it soon too.

30th June 2005, 4:32 PM	#7
cerebus Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Melbourne Posts: 96	Yeah my old SS51 was very quiet once I changed the stock fan to a Panaflo. The xpc zen has an external power brick so that should make things even quieter. Only has a pci slot but the integrated 9100 has composite and s-video out. I was seriously looking at one of these but I ended up getting a mac mini __________________ a longstanding neurosis will disappear this week when, during pillow talk, your mother assures you that your Oedipal complex is imaginery. Last edited by cerebus; 30th June 2005 at 4:33 PM. Reason: spelling mistake