After reading Amir's build log on the Music server with fanless passive cooling parts, I set out to find a bang-for-buck configuration on my own. I sincerely believe that passive cooling is sensible only if you are inside well insulated soundproofed anechoic chamber.
For the build, I would put a 65W TDP AMD APU like the newer Raven Ridge Ryzen 5 2400GE ( 35 W TDP, lesser than the standard 2400G, if you can source it, otherwise get the standard 2400G), a 512 GB/1 TB NVME M.2 SSD, 8-16 GB stick of RAM, silent fans like the Noctua NF-A14 (if a case fan is needed), Passive CPU cooling block like the Alpine AM4 (even an active block like the Scythe Shuriken is like only 11 dB), Silent PSU like the BeQuiet Pure Power 11 or Silverstone ST30SF ('semi' fanless according to Silverstone, 22 dB max load).
I tried one on PC Part Picker - https://pcpartpicker.com/list/xx2Fhy
Comes to $680, can be used as HTPC, Media Server, and also as a console replacement (The Ryzen APU is really good). Additionally, it will not go above 22-25 dB based on the parts I have put in (check quietpc for more part selections)
I think this is the sweet spot for a multifunctional system that can be used not only for 4K media, but also for Roon and if you install a console emulator like RetroArch, a sweet gaming system for your living room. Additionally, seeing the raw power of the Ryzen it can also play more intensive games at decent settings.
And for the noise, I can say its low enough that you would hear your Air conditioner's noise before you can hear the fans in this.
For the build, I would put a 65W TDP AMD APU like the newer Raven Ridge Ryzen 5 2400GE ( 35 W TDP, lesser than the standard 2400G, if you can source it, otherwise get the standard 2400G), a 512 GB/1 TB NVME M.2 SSD, 8-16 GB stick of RAM, silent fans like the Noctua NF-A14 (if a case fan is needed), Passive CPU cooling block like the Alpine AM4 (even an active block like the Scythe Shuriken is like only 11 dB), Silent PSU like the BeQuiet Pure Power 11 or Silverstone ST30SF ('semi' fanless according to Silverstone, 22 dB max load).
I tried one on PC Part Picker - https://pcpartpicker.com/list/xx2Fhy
Comes to $680, can be used as HTPC, Media Server, and also as a console replacement (The Ryzen APU is really good). Additionally, it will not go above 22-25 dB based on the parts I have put in (check quietpc for more part selections)
I think this is the sweet spot for a multifunctional system that can be used not only for 4K media, but also for Roon and if you install a console emulator like RetroArch, a sweet gaming system for your living room. Additionally, seeing the raw power of the Ryzen it can also play more intensive games at decent settings.
And for the noise, I can say its low enough that you would hear your Air conditioner's noise before you can hear the fans in this.