I'm looking to upgrade my parents' PC from an old i7-4790K setup with a Radeon HD6850. They don't game at all, but they highly value a quiet system. I've got a spare AM4 motherboard and RAM from my previous build, which had a 5800x3d that I've sold. I'm considering a CPU with a lower TDP to keep noise minimal, and I plan to use a Noctua U12A cooler, which should handle it well. However, I want the cooler to run at its lowest RPM to avoid noise—my mom is particularly sensitive to it. The Ryzen 5600G looks like a good option at £125, but are there any easier-to-cool alternatives that still perform decently and have integrated graphics? The HD6850 is getting retired after 15 years, so I need something that will work well without a discrete GPU.
4 Answers
I set up a Ryzen 2400GE in a Mini PC once, and it worked great for what I needed before I upgraded. If you find a good deal on one, it might be worth it since it’s pretty efficient too!
I built a Home Theater PC with a Ryzen 5600G and it runs cool with the stock cooler just fine. I bet the Noctua U12A can do the job at the lowest fan speed without breaking a sweat.
You might want to consider the Athlon 3000G—it’s not super powerful, but it’s even less demanding if you're really looking to minimize heat. Plus, don't forget you can adjust the eco mode in BIOS to keep things cool while letting the CPU run at its lowest RPM.
If you’re looking at the R5 4600G, just a heads up that the Noctua U12A might not give you the best bang for your buck. There are cooler options with more surface area that could handle 65-watt CPUs even fanless. Check out the Thermalright Phantom Spirit—it’s a solid choice if you're open to new coolers.
I appreciate the tip! I’m sticking with the U12A since I’ve already got it, but I’ll definitely keep this in mind for future builds.
That's a good point! I’ll likely opt for the 5600G and use those BIOS settings to manage the noise.