Casper's "Network Attached Silence"
Focused at home users. Main aim of this build was low power consumption and low noise whilst maintaining great performance.
NAS drives are generally ran 24-7. Having a huge powerhouse whirring away while you try to sleep is not an entertaining thought. Then there are the electricity bills... This is where the Network Attached Silence is required!
CPU: Intel Core i3-3220T 2.8GHz Dual-Core Processor ($131.05 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: SilenX EFZ-92HA3 48.0 CFM Fluid Dynamic Bearing CPU Cooler ($16.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H77 Pro4-M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Mushkin Essentials 12GB (3 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Red 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($144.41 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Red 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($144.41 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Red 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($144.41 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design Define Mini MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic X Series 400W 80 PLUS Platinum Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/RSBS DVD/CD Writer ($21.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $993.22
Key Points
- Very efficient processor. Dual-core @ 2.8GHz with HyperThreading yet it only has a TDP of 35W which means we can use a very quiet cooler. Could possibly go passive but I chicken'd out
- Motherboard has 4x SATA-III and 4x SATA-II so plent of room for expansion. Gigabit Ethernet port which is an essential.
- Very quiet case with added sound dampening. Has 6x hard drive bays which is amazing considering it is a mAXT case. Could convert one or both of the 5.25" drives to 3.5" if required. This makes a maximum of 8 bays to match the 8 SATA ports.
- PSU is fanless to further reduce noise. It's also Platinum rated to save on power usage.
- WD RED might only be 5400RPM but they perform really well for it - even beating some 7200RPM drives. And of course 5400RPM = less power.
Some Tomshardware benches on WD RED - http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/red-wd20efrx-wd30efrx-nas,3248-4.html