Stealth Releases Fanless LPC-625F HTPC

With the LPC-625F, Stealth Computers wants your home theater experience to be as discreet and quiet as possible.

If you're looking for a PC to add to your home theater arsenal, chances are you want a system that generates little to no noise while not taking up copious amounts of space. Stealth Computers and its newest fanless computer wants to be the answer to your HTPC prayers.

The LPC-625F from Stealth is equipped to handle most home theater PC duties. The $1,595 base model comes with an Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 (2.26 GHz, FSB1066, 3 MB cache), as well as integrated X4500MHD graphics. For memory and storage, expect 1 GB of DDR2 memory and an 80 GB hard drive. The 625F is available with Linux, Windows XP or Windows Vista.

The above specs seem pretty skimpy, but Stealth offers upgrades for everything except the video. Optional upgrades include a more powerful P9500 processor (2.53 GHz, FSB1066, 6 MB cache), up to 4 GB of memory, and a 500 GB HDD as well as options for a solid state drive. The LPC-625F's primary claim to fame is its 100 percent fanless design. The finned aluminum case dissipates heat, and if one opts for an SSD, the 625F will operate virtually noise free.

For inputs, the 625F boasts eight USB ports (four front, four rear), HDMI, DVI, VGA, eSATA, 802.11 wireless (no word on if it's G or N), and audio out. Stealth claims that the LPC-625F can handle full HD 1080p without a hitch, although some may be worried about using the X4500 in an HTPC setup. While this doesn't come across as a rig worthy of any real hardcore gaming, the LPC-625F should preform well when streaming Netflix or watching that HD rip of Iron Man.

While zero-noise PCs are great for home theaters and other applications, there is certainly a price premium. Paying nearly $1600 for a computer with integrated graphics and 1 GB of memory is steep. If noise and space consumption are not your primary concerns, you may be better off building a tower from scratch, using a low-noise case like something from Antec's Sonata series.