I'd like some advice as well as some example builds for a mostly passive system.
What I mean is that I would maybe 1 (quiet) exhaust fan just to move the air out of the case. I've been looking at cases similar to the Silverstone Raven series and FT03/ FT03 mini that are aligned vertically allowing the heat to rise naturally out of them. I would also like to know if it's possible to play games in a computer with that kind of specifications (passive video cards). Examples of a game would be Skyrim on high settings with a 1080p resolution. Is this even possible or would I be creating an oven, if so, what would you recommend for what I am looking for while trying to stay with passive parts?
Possible budget for this build would be around $1500 but I would be willing to slowly buy the parts if more or better (most expensive) parts are required for this thing to work.
there is a powercolor r9 270 passive cooled. that's the highes you can go i believe. i don't have skirim but i have a r9 270 and i think it will run fine. skyrim high 1080p with mods probably not.
Don't go passive... Go Define R4, or if you want something small - fractal define mini... Then have something like Noctua NH-U12S and some video with aftermarket cooler... The case is fully dustproof and sound isolated, so whatever noise comes from it will be from the vga and the PSU and will be killed by the case...
Yes i totally agree with any Fractal Design case. Basically you get your gaming PC with good fans/water cooled and then buy a good silent case, passive power supply, and some sound dampening foam.