I have a fan cooled graphics card but because SONAR doesn't tax the graphic engine it never cuts in so it's as quiet as can be.

I think I have too many computers (eight) to make them all quiet so I keep them all in another room.  It is really easy and not at all a PITA.  What do you really need aside from a bunch of extension cords?

The monitor is the hardest part, whether you're using VGA or DVI or whatever you need to get the highest quality extension cord you can.  I mean seriously pay as much as you can pay, up to $100 for just the extension cord.  It makes a huge difference in quality and the cheap ones are completely useless.

For the keyboard/mouse I use a standard USB extension cord and connect them directly to the computer (no hub) because I heard that was best.  I've never had a problem with them.

For everything else I just run one standard USB extension cord into a USB hub in my main room and connect everything else to that... printer, trackball, mixers, dvd burner, backup drives, footswitches, etc.

Almost forgot, also a couple MIDI interfaces that I connect directly to the computer via extension cord.  Fortunately it has enough USB ports.  I could have left these in the other room with the computers and run MIDI cables to them but it was easy enough to use extension cords and I've never had an issue with them.

For the other computers (I don't know if you have more than one), I use remote desktop over ethernet.  It works so nice, control everything from your main screen.  However, I also did run all the cables to have a separate monitor and KVM switchbox in my main room because sometimes you just can't rely on software.  This was much more of a PITA, especially with that many computers.  However, I rarely use it and if I was going to do it all over again I would have set up the KVM switchbox and monitor in the other room with all the computers.  I could go in there to use it when I need to but otherwise remote desktop is the answer.  Hope that helps.

And the best way to silence your graphics card is simple - buy a passively cooled one, not fan cooled

+1

My son was the one who built my computer, he built it for both gaming and audio. He was here last week and went " Hey, you have a $200 gaming Video card in there , I'm taking it back"
So he swapped it for a plain jane passive card. I cannot see a difference.  So I assume we do not need fancy video cards for a DAW.
 
Bottom line is, if you use the right components a computer can be very very quiet.
Then just tuck it under your desk for further dampening. Keep it free from dust and give it lot's of ventilation.

Matt


I think I have too many computers (eight) to make them all quiet so I keep them all in another room.  It is really easy and not at all a PITA.  What do you really need aside from a bunch of extension cords?

The monitor is the hardest part, whether you're using VGA or DVI or whatever you need to get the highest quality extension cord you can.  I mean seriously pay as much as you can pay, up to $100 for just the extension cord.  It makes a huge difference in quality and the cheap ones are completely useless.

For the keyboard/mouse I use a standard USB extension cord and connect them directly to the computer (no hub) because I heard that was best.  I've never had a problem with them.

For everything else I just run one standard USB extension cord into a USB hub in my main room and connect everything else to that... printer, trackball, mixers, dvd burner, backup drives, footswitches, etc.

Almost forgot, also a couple MIDI interfaces that I connect directly to the computer via extension cord.  Fortunately it has enough USB ports.  I could have left these in the other room with the computers and run MIDI cables to them but it was easy enough to use extension cords and I've never had an issue with them.

For the other computers (I don't know if you have more than one), I use remote desktop over ethernet.  It works so nice, control everything from your main screen.  However, I also did run all the cables to have a separate monitor and KVM switchbox in my main room because sometimes you just can't rely on software.  This was much more of a PITA, especially with that many computers.  However, I rarely use it and if I was going to do it all over again I would have set up the KVM switchbox and monitor in the other room with all the computers.  I could go in there to use it when I need to but
otherwise remote desktop is the answer.  Hope that helps.

I decided to go with getting it out of the room rather than replace fans, cards, etc.   I bought a 25 ft vga cable and a usb extension cable with a hub.   I cut about a 5" x 5" out of my carpet against the wall and then cut the same size out of the floor.  I drilled holes for the cables and cut the piece in half to get the cables through.  (because the vga and usb connectors are a lot bigger than the diameter of the cable)  I then made a small frame on the underside of the floor for the piece to sit on and after running the cables, put the two halves together. Put the carpeting back on and it works great.  computer is downstairs and monitor and keyboard is up.  My delta omni box is downstairs as well.  I have a small 8 channel snake that I use for the in/outs on that.  I will probably get a longer dsub cable for that so I don't have to run that snake and can have the delta box up here as well.   I know that has to be shielded cable and not just a run of the mill dsub
   But it wasn't bad at all to do.  My lower level is unfinished so that made it a lot easier.  I am happy and I spent less than $50 on cables.
    thanks for your input everyone!  I am not sure what remote desktop is.
sounds interesting.  I would actually like install some wall panels with vga, usb etc. in my house eventually

I need my computer to be within reach so I can give it a good smack on the side of the head once in a while!

Like some others, I found it simple and inexpensive to move my CPU and attached noisy devices (NAS, fan-cooled UPS, printer) to an adjacent room directly opposite my studio workstation. The wiring was simple and short because of the proximity (right on the other side of the wall.) All I did was cut holes in the sheet rock next to a stud on which I mounted standard plastic outlet boxes. I cut the backs out of the boxes so they would form an enclosed tunnel through the wall. I taped up the slight gap between them. One advantage to this method is that if and when I no longer need the hole, or decide to sell the house, I can just mount blank wall plates over the holes by screwing them to the boxes.