Well, I've decided it's time to upgrade my htpc, and I've also convinced myself that I can build it passive and motionless. No fans. No moving parts. But, it also has to be powerful enough to handle multiple HD video streams simultaneously, as it will be used to play bluray (3d) iso's while recording up to 3 hd channels via my HD Home Run Prime.
Now, I know a computer that can do these things isn't terribly hard to build, but 100% motionless? That's a little more challenging. And, just to make it even more interesting, it's gonna be mini-itx.
I've decided to make this a work log. Even though I'm not planning on doing any case mods or custom coolers, I haven't seen too many performance passive pc's online so I figured I'd share in case others want to do something similar.
This is not a priority project for me, so it'll likely be shaping together over the next few weeks, of course assuming I don't run into any major issues. But, enough introduction.
Project Stoic:
Planned configuration.
AMD A10-5800k APU
Asrock FM2A75M-ITX motherboard
Phanteks PH-TC14PE_BK Heatsink without fans
Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB DDR3 1600 Low Profile Desktop Memory
Corsair F120 SSD
SeaSonic X series SS-400FL PSU
Bitfenix Prodigy Black case
I've already identified several hurdles to overcome:
1) Will this configuration actually run cool enough to run passively?
2) Can I modify a backplate to mount the cooler to this board? *done*
3) Will the cooler on this board actually fit in this case?
4) And, possibly the biggest hurdle, can I get my hands on a revision of this board that won't catch on fire? *done*
I already have the case and ssd, with the motherboard and apu on it's way. More to come soon!
Now, I know a computer that can do these things isn't terribly hard to build, but 100% motionless? That's a little more challenging. And, just to make it even more interesting, it's gonna be mini-itx.
I've decided to make this a work log. Even though I'm not planning on doing any case mods or custom coolers, I haven't seen too many performance passive pc's online so I figured I'd share in case others want to do something similar.
This is not a priority project for me, so it'll likely be shaping together over the next few weeks, of course assuming I don't run into any major issues. But, enough introduction.
Project Stoic:
Planned configuration.
AMD A10-5800k APU
Asrock FM2A75M-ITX motherboard
Phanteks PH-TC14PE_BK Heatsink without fans
Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB DDR3 1600 Low Profile Desktop Memory
Corsair F120 SSD
SeaSonic X series SS-400FL PSU
Bitfenix Prodigy Black case
I've already identified several hurdles to overcome:
1) Will this configuration actually run cool enough to run passively?
2) Can I modify a backplate to mount the cooler to this board? *done*
3) Will the cooler on this board actually fit in this case?
4) And, possibly the biggest hurdle, can I get my hands on a revision of this board that won't catch on fire? *done*
I already have the case and ssd, with the motherboard and apu on it's way. More to come soon!
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