Please make this HTPC quieter

[QueasyFeet]

Hello all,

This is my first post here so be nice. I'm looking for advice on that to do next with my HTPC...

Basically I've turned my old PC into an HTPC and hooked it up to the telly (a 37 inch 1080p Toshiba).

Current Rig is

Core 2 Duo E6600
2 gb corsair ram 800 mhz (I think)
MSI P965 Neo 2 motherboard
Optiarc DVD writer (AD7170)
750gb samsung (spinpoint I think)
Enermax Liberty 620W
All housed in an Antec Super Lanboy (it seemed like a good idea at the time!)


the new bits to make it quieter and to attach it to my tv (via HDMI)

ASUS EAH4350 graphics card
Scythe Mini Ninga (running passively)


What I want from this system is to be able to watch all my backed up DVDs (ripped to mkv's using h264, aac audio) and any tv program I happen to download.

It does this fine already so my next steps are to make it as quiet as possible.

Now the mini ninga and the graphics aren't goin to get any quieter, so what should i focus on next. Is there a PSU out there that is a LOT quieter than what I currently have or should I focus on the 2 120mm case fans (the ones I have are the stock ones that came with the case).

Or is it the case itself that I should upgrade next? Ultimately I would like something like the Antec Fusion, but that aint cheap. So are there any quick wins for me?

I'm happy with the grpahics and sound that I have (I know its only 2 channel audio over my tv speakers, but I have a very destructive son who is just learning to walk so lots of speakers around the place is not an option!)

I'm just after suggestions on how to make it quieter (to make the other half happy) and eventually look nicer (again to keep the other half happy).


I look forward to your suggestions...

[staffsMike]

Well those changes are good so far I wouldn't change the PSU unless you feel the need once the case fans (which you should focus on) are sorted. The passive ninja will need some airflow but not too much with a stock clocked (usually they under volt well) E6600.

Change the case fans, scythe 800rpm would be nice, noctua if you have money to burn or yate loon/nexus fans are good. Once changed see where you are.

[QueasyFeet]

Thanks for the speeedy reply!

Are you sure the 800 rpm fans will be enough to cool the ninja in passive mode? Are the 1200 rpms a lot noisier?

I can stretch to the noctua fans so would you choose those over the scythes? Are they quieter or do they shift more air?

Thanks

[staffsMike]

Noctuas do the best of both worlds in terms of noise and airflow. 800rpm slipstreams would do the trick and be especially quiet if the rest of your system turns out to be super quiet.

1200rpm will be non-existant above ambient noise though I'm sure.

[sadbuttrue]

Have you tried speedfan? Slowing most fans down to 70-80% can drastically lower the noise level.