mincklerstraat - 9:16 am on Oct 24, 2004 (gmt 0)

I'd skip the completely passive cooling method. Chips can warm up pretty hot these days, and you don't want to wreak havoc on your system, or have your processor burn out prematurely. Zalman has got really nice heatsink / fan combos - I've got an AlCu7000 that I'm real happy with - fan fairly big so it can push a lot of air when going fairly slowly and quietly - nice big flower-like radial heatsink. AlCu is also fairly lightweight; the Cu only model does a tad better as a heatsink, but comes in above the intel specs as to how heavy your heatsink on your processor should be (though many think this is no biggie).

You don't need the LianLi (expensive) - the Antec SLK3700-BQE should do you just fine, and has better airflow. Go with the LianLi if you want to put it in your livingroom and keep coffeetable books on top of it, or you're a real interior design freak.

Ditch the graphics card like you're planning to. Zzzzzzzzzzz!. Next time you buy, try to find one with a passive heatsink if you ever get the game or 3D-modelling itch.

That biggie Zalman TNN heatsink case: it might be the only case you ever need, I'm guessing no though. Intel and others are working on a new spec case/motherboard design with better airflow (and a noise spec!). The old 'ATX' case / mobo design has been good for 30 years. The next should also last a long time. I'd wait on the Zalman case until we see if the new spec becomes standard, and when they have a case that fits the new spec. Otherwise you might have to ditch this huge lunker case next time you want a new PC. At the moment, it's max compatibility is: Intel P4 (Socket 478) : Up to 3.2GHz
Socket 478 is already being replaced.

Pabst fans are real quiet; panaflos also, but significantly cheaper. Cases in general with 12cm fan outlets do a good job at moving air around fairly quietly.