If you're using a Power Supply that came with your PC, chances are it is too loud, AND too weak for your needs...

One easy and quick way to judge the quality of your power supply is to pick it up and see how heavy it is. The heavier a power supply is, the bigger the heat sink inside, and usually other components are top notch as well. (to be sure, this should NOT be the ONLY way you judge a Power Supply, keep that in mind!).

If you have a flimsy little 300W power supply with a stamped air intake, and a single fan whizzing away at a high speed to keep it (and only it) cool, you need to ditch it. There are much better alternatives.

The Modular Solution

My top pick for a quiet power supply, and the one I am currently using, is the Enermax Modu82+ series. It comes in three wattages - 425, 525, and 625. They are all certified by either AMD/ATI or Nvidia, so you know they will have enough power and connections to run whatever you throw at them. 

With modular cables, you only need to have as many cables as you need, eliminating clutter significantly. This helps increase airflow, which as you know is very important to cooling a system quietly.

The Modu82+ has a a 12cm fan that spins only as fast as it has to, and thanks to clever design, Enermax was able to significantly reduce air turbulence. What that means is, even though your fan is spinning, it will be nearly impossible to hear. Ever. This is easily the best choice for a power supply (I suggest going for the SLI certified 525W version).

On a budget?

If budget is a concern, the Corsair TX650 makes a good sub-$100 choice. With a similarly designed low-turbulence 12cm fan that spins only as fast as it has to, the Corsair is nearly inaudible. It is only slightly louder than the Enermax above, but still very quiet. In fact, it's the power supply I personally use, and it is quiet enough for me (so should be quiet enough for just about everyone else!).

Keep in mind that having sufficient airflow is quite important in a silent PC, because you're likely to have very few fans on the individual components. Your CPU and your Video Card are going to heat up the case something fierce, and you need to expel that heat. Usually you would count on the power supply to help out, but remember that these are low noise power supplies, that move very little air. You ARE going to need a fan or two in your case, and you will have to pay close attention to what you put in there, and what kind of case you use.

Speaking of which, now's the time for us to discuss PC cases, and what kind you need to maintain a silent PC!

Next Page: Silent PC Enclosures