Advice on first build

[nycdan1]

Hi all,

I've been browsing for a few weeks while researching and contemplating my first build vs. years of buying Dells. I'm currently just about end-of-life with my Dimension 8300 for a few reasons. The only change I made was to put a LeadTek 6600GT in about 2 years ago and while I've lived with the incredible noise, I'm ready for something faster and quieter.

My main goal is a reasonably quiet machine both at idle and load with enough performance to run high-end graphics applications and provide reasonable performance on any current or soon-to-come high-end game. I also want the machine to be pretty easy to build and bring up (Vista). I may be interested in OCing or upgrading later, but only after I've got the machine up and running for a few weeks. Finally my budget is in the $1,500-$1,800 range

I would really appreciate feedback on the compatibility of the components I've come up with so far, with regard to ease-of-build, anything missing you would recommend, and/or possible problems you might forsee (i.e. length of modular PSU cables in a p180b case). So without further ado...

Case: Antec P180b - Gets good reviews for noise suppression and overall quality. Only concern is how hard it will be to achieve a decent build.

Mobo: ASUS P5B-E - Seems to have everything I want and nothing I don't.

Proc: e6600 (what else!)

Ram: Corsair XMS2 2x1GB kit DDR2 800 - I'm not sure if I can get something less expensive that's just as good.

PSU: Corsair HX520w - I wanted modular, thinking it will make for an easier build, and I wanted quiet and cool. Corsair over comparible Seasonic based on reviews. Concern is the bottom air draw in a bottom position on the case. Will this restrict airflow in?

HDs: 2 x WD Caviar SE16 WD3200KS - Wasn't sure WD vs. Seagate but this seems to get the best reviews for quiet. Still considering Raid 0 vs. Raid 1 vs. adding a third drive for best of both.

VC: XFX GeForce 7950GT - This was the hardest choice. Compared to the similarly priced PNY version, I am willing to take the risk on the fanless card to get the quietest build as long as I can control the heat in the case. As a backup, would it make sense to throw a Zalman VF900 onto this card? Is there a better card for this if that's the plan? Definitely want feedback here.

DVD: Sony AW-Q170A-B2 - expensive, but I wanted fast loading, quiet, and dependable. Don't care much about lightscribe. Any other choices?

Sound: CL Audigy 2 ZS SB0350 - too many problems with the X-Fi so far. This was the conservative play.

This comes to just about $1,600 on newegg. Wish List: https://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.asp?ID=3696391

Thanks to all for reading this far and for any feedback.

-Dan

 

[pkme2]

Good luck on your build. Looks like you did your homework. You got PM.

Hope "Black Friday" has some good deals for you.

 

[nycdan1]

Thanks for the info, pkme2. It actually raises a question for me. Do I need to add a CPU cooling solution to this list? Something like the Arctic Cooling Freezer Pro 7?

 

[nycdan1]

One bump for the holiday crowd.

Lingering questions...

1) Antec Neo HE with straight-through airflow better for the p180b case than the Corsair with the bottom up intake?

2) Do many people find the Antec Solo an easier 'first-build' case than the p180b? are there any disadvantages to it?

3) Has anyone put a quiet fan on the XFX 7950GT card? If so, which and with what results?


Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

 

[ProSlayer]

The 7950GT's aren't that good, you are better off with this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102067

 

[nycdan1]

I see this card as a medium-term solution (6 mos. - 1 year) and my understanding is that the 7950GTs are cooler and quieter than the ATI. I see that the x1950 should have some better rendering in some games, but I'm not sure it's worth the extra $ for now with cheaper Dx10 cards coming soon.

Any thoughts on the BFG 7950gt (w/ the zalman 700 fan) vs. the Gigabyte?

 

[Operandi]

I consider building quiet machines one of my specialties so I'll share my thoughts.

Case: The P180 will be a quiet case but it's plastic and steel construction says anything but quality to me. If you want a truly high-end case I would suggest Lian Li or Silverstone. The Lian Li V1100 is similar in design and function to the P180 so maybe start there. Lian Li PC-V1100

RAM: Unless you intend on overclocking you probably don't need DDR2 800, DDR2 667 would probably do just as well. Geil

PSU: Seasonic builds the Corsair units so the Corsairs are obviously not better then the Seasonic units. Either is a good choice personally I would assume to get my Seasonic built PSU from Seasonic themselves rather than Corsair.

Video card: Gigabyte makes makes a 7950GT with a Zalman VF-700 stock (I assume thats the Gigabyte you were referring to?). It's actually in a machine sitting right next to me, and although the machine isn't fine tuned for noise yet the card itself is very quiet as the loudest component is pair 1200 RPM Yate Loons (Lian Li V600). Gigabyte 7950GT

Lastly I would try the on board HD-Audio on the Asus board before potentially wasting money on a Creative card.

 

[nycdan1]

My bad...I reversed those. I originally looked at the BFG based on a cmparison of the 7950 cards looking at performance, heat and noise. I'd trade a few points of performance for better heat and especially noise characteristics, however. I really appreciate the first-hand appraisal of the Gigabyte, Operandi. I think I'm going to lean that way since I would have to believe the Zalman will make for a quieter card than the BFG stock solution, without having to go all the way to the XFX, whose heat concerns me.

The Lian Li does look like a nice case, but I'm not convinced it justifies the additional $120. More research called for.

Regarding RAM, if I don't OC, is there no appreciable performance difference between DDR667 and DDR800? I won't OC right away, but plan to try it eventually. If the difference is minor at best, perhaps I'd save the $65 here.

I read a few things about the Corsair that suggest it is a bit quieter than the Seasonic in this article: http://www.silentpcreview.com/article692-page1.html . It's only one review but I'm pretty comfortable with the choice as I don't think the money is that different.

I've read a few comments about how bad the on-board audio is in most cases, and how it saps processor power in high-end games. Seems worth getting a mid-range sound card to alleviate that if true.

Thanks....I really appreciate the feedback and am happy to have every decision called into question. I am offering the reasoning behind them so that if any of that reasoning is faulty, please do indicate it.

 

[Operandi]

On board audio quality varies from board to board but performance is basically on non-issue. You will see a difference if you benchmark it but it's not a difference you will be able to perceive during game play.

All boards are using HD audio chips now will fairly strict specifications so unless the board manufactures really mar it up with poor engineering you should have very good audio quality.