Is it ok just to have one outtake fan?

[Olli460]

Hello,

I'm trying to build a server / media player that is as quiet as possible, I'm currently just running it with one Noctua Silent fan at the top of the case extracting air out.

I have a NOFAN-CR-80EH Passive CPU Cooler and a Seasonic Platinum Fanless PSU.

The server is only running a Intel G1610 with 4GB RAM and Passive cooled 6540 so it isn't a super PC by any means.

I just wanted to check it is safe to only run with the 1 extract fan. The current temps are around 35C Idle and i have done any stress testing on it yet but i played a 3D Blu-Ray which is the most it will probably do and CPU only went to around 45C.

I tried without any fans and the temps only went up by 4-5C but im guessing its not safe to run completely fan-less?

Thanks

EDIT: What is the AUX Temp in this image? Seems high, Is it anything to worry about?

 

[jossrik]

As long as your temps don't go too high, you can run fanless if you'd like. It's not so much the running without fans as the temp of the CPU, GPUs are able to handle higher heat than CPUs in general. OF course, the lower the temps the better, but even 55 - 60 C is an all right temp to run at when in use. If you're not playing games, you should be fine. As a media center/HTPC you should be all right.

 

[Olli460]

Ok thats good to know then, Is there a way to have the fan off until the CPU reaches a certain temp? the fan has a 3pin PWM connector on it, connected to the motherboard.

 

[jossrik]

I think you would need a fan controller for that, the motherboard will keep it running slow if it's a PWM fan, and then ramp it up as it gets warmer, with a fan controller you could set it to run how you want, you could even add more fans. If I remember right fan controllers are somewhat inexpensive and easy to install/adjust. Some even have temp readouts.

 

[Olli460]

Ok thank you for the advice, Appreciate the help.

Just unplugged the fan and ran Prime95 for a couple of minutes on the maximum heat setting and this is the results:

Are the temperatures for the HDD (around 35C) and GFX (around 50C) ok?

The room its in isn't that warm only around 19C, In the summer im guessing the CPU temps might go up abit, What is a safe number for it to stay without any fans on it?

 

[jossrik]

HDD and GPU temps look normal, GPU is a little high, but that's to be expected with passively cooled cards. The passively cooled cards rely on case airflow to keep cool.