Maximising sound quality from USB

[CageyH]

So the SSDs are in, and I now have a max CPU temp of 56 degrees C. That seems to be getting a tad warm, so the joys of a silent PC may be short lived.

[Clive]

I have a fanless i5 with 1TB SSD. Temp cruises at 30c to 35C. The case has no vents but is build as a heatsink. 56C isn't that hot though.

[CageyH]

It has peaked at 66 degrees C. Not far from the max temp spec for the CPU.
I have opened the rear top vent of the case and it is back down to 46 degrees C.
I guess it will be staying like that now.

[Yomanze]

It has peaked at 66 degrees C. Not far from the max temp spec for the CPU.
I have opened the rear top vent of the case and it is back down to 46 degrees C.
I guess it will be staying like that now.

I use a highly perforated case in my PC for this reason.

And yeah SSDs do run warmer. 46 degrees is great. I’d be happy with 56 really.

You’ll notice the difference bigtime during night time listening now that you have a truly silent rig.

[CageyH]

I am happy with 46 degrees.
There are another three vents I can remove, and a couple of air filters for better airflow on the case if needed.
As the PC is silent, it makes no difference to the acoustic isnsulation.

Having it silent has made a big difference late at night, even with virtually silent fans running, you could hear still them.

[Yomanze]

Yes even if the fans are silent you can still hear the airflow...

I recently built a gaming PC for a friend. Now that is a monster. The fans are set up in a way that an airstream is produced between the CPU and GPU, the stream is chilled to the touch. In fairness it is very quiet for a 6 fan system, but still, not good for those late night music listening moments.

[CageyH]

My gaming/photo and video editing PC is watercooled to keep the noise down when it is at maximum load.
It has two 280mm radiators and eight 140mm fans. It is relatively quiet, but as you say not quiet enough for late night music sessions.

[CageyH]

I should really get the thread title changed, as I have stopped using USB, although I must try it into my Caiman SEG sometime, to see if it is worth me keeping it.

However, I am now very happy with the sound quality coming from my PC.
I can’t see many ways of making it better except for maybe the software side now, so thank to everybody who has given me advice along the way. It has been much appreciated.

[Yomanze]

You are welcome, and glad you are appreciating what a silent rig brings to the party.

[CageyH]

8A53770A-61E1-4AA7-A2F7-485B1E91FDC3.jpg

Opening the vent means dust can enter the case much easier, so I have come up with a compromise, which is pictured above.

Basically I have fitted some M4x15mm bolts through the mesh in the top of the case, and sat the vent cover on top of them. It allows the hot air out, and will minimise the dust getting in the case.

For some reason, the photo is upside down, but there you go....