Six cores. 12 threads. Zero noise. Today's PCs have raised the bar for performance, energy efficiency and overall design, but one area of improvement that can often be overlooked is noise. The latest machines, be they desktop or laptop, are typically quieter than ever before, and the most innovative systems aim for virtual silence by banishing mechanical fans in favour of passive cooling throughout.

We've seen it work in the mobile space - Microsoft's fanless Surface Pro being a good example - but passive cooling requires more thought on the desktop, where higher-power components come into play. Attempting to tame, say, a 95W Core i7-8700K processor without any active airflow isn't for the faint hearted, but it can be done and boutique system integrators are now presenting their wares.