Noise levels

I have a SILENT 775 HTPC, so yes you can do it with every CPU.

As a general guide, the most silent solution is no fans. Often that will mean big. In some places that is hard to do (like my climate) so the next best option is a few large fans.

The larger the fan the quieter it is. Don't have a fan in the case smaller than 120mm if possible. That case you picked is made for 80mm fans, so it will be loud even with the best fans you can buy. I would only touch the larger SILVERSTONE model if you want silent.

Also be sure to upgrade the HSF fan. For example in one of my HPTCs I have that Scythe BIG SHURIKEN above, but I replace its thin fan with a regular size Coolermaster one that is a more quiet design. In fact never stick with the fans you get with stuff if you can, it is best to buy a set of quiet fans for the case.

Big culprits are those little GPU fans so get a fanless GPU if possible. Other problems are the PSU, but I find Seasonic PSUs have really nice fans in most cases.

Thanks for the recommendation, but I went with a pico recently anyway. For now, the stock cpu cooler and 2 silent case fans are quiet enough though I do plan to get the shuriken.

(2012-05-29 03:09)GortWillSaveUs Wrote:  

(2012-05-29 02:10)filthycatbox Wrote:  I guess you were lucky then, the flex psu which my case shipped with was pretty noisy.

Is there any way you could switch out the PSU?
This is the one I used: SilverStone Strider 400W, 80 PLUS, Active PFC Power Supply ST40F-ES (Black) $48.99

I was going to buy another one, but then another poster here (Eskro) recommended this one to another person, especially because the case was a Silverstone. This one may not work with your case, but there might be someone who could recommend one.