MintBox Basic now $379

Linux Mint / Compulab joint effort is now $100 cheaper. One of the too rare Linux PCs.

Foxconn AT-5570 now available in the US

While the Atom version is available in Europe, Foxconn AMD-based fanless mini PC is now available at Newegg for $250.

✓ AMD C-70 with Radeon HD 7290 graphics
✓ 1 x SO-DIMM socket (DDR3 memory up to 4GB)
✓ 2 x USB 3.0 ports
✓ 4 x USB 2.0 ports
✓ 1 x 2.5" bay
✓ 1 x SD/SDHC/MS/MS Pro/MMC card reader
✓ 1 x Gigabit LAN port
✓ 1 x HDMI
✓ 1 x DVI
✓ 19 cm x 13.5 cm x 3.8 cm
✓ VESA mountable
✓ 600 g

Late 2015 NUC

Two years from now Intel's NUC will probably be rocking a 5W Skylake i3. Imagine the processing power of today's i7 in a solid-state aluminum pebble.

Art by Benjamin Sohn

Tranquil NUC case available for £99

Tranquil PC launches a stylish passive case for both version of the NUC (Thunderbolt D33217CK and Gigabit Ethernet D33217GKE).

This 110 x 164 x 47 mm chassis is made of aerospace grade aluminum, and acts as a giant heatsink. The most awesome is without a doubt its efficiency : 5 to 15 °C cooler than the fan cooled version. Quite impressive.

Source: Tranquil PC

Update: The case in action.

VIA ARMTiGO A800

"The VIA ARMTiGO A800 is an ultra slim system for those seeking an optimized design for both power and performance."

We respectfully disagree. The ARMTiGO A800 might look great, a Cortex-A8 CPU is just not acceptable in 2013. Especially when Cortex-A15 solutions start to be available.

✓ Fanless, ultra slim profile design
✓ 800MHz Freescale ARM Cortex-A8 SoC
✓ 1GB of DDR3-800 SDRAM on board
✓ 4GB onboard eMMC Flash memory
✓ Supports one 2.5" SATA HDD or Flash SSD installation
✓ Support for display resolution up to 1080p
✓ Rich I/O: HDMI, VGA, 4 USB 2.0, LAN, audio-in/out/mic-in
✓ Android OS Images and Linux BSP available
✓ Supports 75mm x 75mm VESA mount
✓ 120 mm x 30 mm x 125 mm (4.72" x 1.18" x 4.92")
✓ Average power consumption of 3.14W TDP (power consumption and thermal design power are two different things we might add)

Source: Via

Silencing the NUC

 

We were disappointed by its fan, but we secretly loved the form factor of Intel's NUC. Here comes the first prototype of a passive case from SilverStone, and it looks promising.

Source: MissingRemote

Update: SilverStone sends us some exclusive pictures.

Fanless, you're doing it wrong

The end of the heat pipes should never face down. Once cooled, the thermal fluid is supposed to return to the CPU area.

Sources: Cyntrix Technologies, Noctua, Scythe

Recycling stock coolers

 

Tamas just built a passive supercooler with 8 stock coolers. How convenient!

10 coolers to use without a fan

Our selection of 10 heat sinks to passively cool 35W processors in an appropriate fanless case for a no moving part and totally silent PC.

Noctua NH-D14

Phanteks PH-TC14PE

Prolimatech Megahalems

Thermalright SilverArrow IB-E

Zalman FX70

SilverStone HE02

Silentmaxx TwinBlock

NOFAN CR-95

Thermalright HR-22

Zalman FX100

10 cases to use without a fan

Our selection of 10 computer cases with enough mesh to insure passive cooling for a 35W CPU and fanless power supply (no gaming rig here). Enjoy!

Antec LanBoy Air

Corsair Carbide 500R

 

Cooler Master HAF 922

NZXT Vulcan

Thermaltake Versa II

Zalman Z9

IN WIN Dragon Slayer

IN WIN Dragon Rider

Enermax Fulmo

Aerocool Strike-X

LinuxUser reviews Compulab's Intense PC Pro

"A stunning piece of engineering has managed to fit a huge amount of raw power into a small, fan-less case that keeps it running even at high loads. Add to that a ton of outputs and inputs, a customisable faceplate, and low power requirements, and you have a tiny PC perfect for many uses."

Source: LinuxUser.co.uk

Who knew Cooler Master had a passive case?

Source: Cooler Master Forum

Intel hints at fanless PCs

Is Santa Clara hearing our pleas?

Fresh from the launch of the NUC, Intel is planning more mini PCs some passively cooled this time. We would love to see Thin Mini-ITX boards with Y-Series CPUs.

Source: Intel

Red and Blue Megahalems are coming

Exclusive: Last year's prototype is now a reality. Prolimatech's heavyweight cooler (which easily handles 35W CPUs passively, in a well ventilated case) will be available next month in stylish red and blue versions. Prices start at €60 (pre-order in the UK).

✓ Intel 775, 1155, 1156, 1366, 2011
✓ AMD AM2, AM2+, AM3, AM3+, FM1, FM2
✓ Nickel plated copper and aluminum
✓ 6 x 6 mm heatpipes
✓ 130 x 158,7 x 74 mm (B x H x T)
✓ 790 g

Update: Check out Prolimatech's site.